Launched in 2019, the Joint Centre for Extreme Photonics (JCEP) is a collaborative initiative between the NRC and the University of Ottawa. Its main objective is to promote research excellence of both groups in the field of photonics, quantum science and technologies. The Centre brings together twelve researchers, six from each institution, who collaborate to make breakthrough discoveries for new applications in photonics. The JCEP members from uOttawa include professors Paul Corkum, Ebrahim Karimi, Jeff Lundeen, Jean-Michel Ménard, Lora Ramunno and Albert Stolow, who work closely with their colleagues at the NRC, who are also Adjunct Professors in the uOttawa Department of Physics — Angela Gamouras, Marina Gertsvolf, Khabat Heshami, André Staudte, Ben Sussman and David Villeneuve. The team addresses fundamental and impactful areas of photonics such as high-harmonic generation, terahertz spectroscopy, UV frequency combs, quantum key distribution and ultrafast molecular dynamics.
The collaborative platform provides a unique training experience for students and postdoctoral fellows by exposing them to both academic and national lab environments. Moreover, the critical mass of young and senior scientists coupled with cutting-edge infrastructure and national laboratories makes for a rich and vibrant research environment that strengthens collaborations between the University of Ottawa and the NRC. It also helps attract top international graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and even senior researchers. For example, JCEP was instrumental in recruiting Dr. Giulio Vampa, formerly of Stanford University, whose expertise in the field of photonics will certainly contribute to the strong research program.
Furthermore, JCEP plays a key role in establishing new international research collaborations. The Centre is part of an initiative, jointly with International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) and SPIE that assists early-career researchers from developing countries by offering them a 6-month remunerated internship. This new initiative, launched in 2020, will allow JCEP members to welcome and mentor a selected student each year. Ultimately, JCEP encourages innovations in the field of photonics leading to creative solutions to Canada’s current and future economic, social and environmental challenges.
