The Max Planck – uOttawa Centre for Extreme and Quantum Photonics was established in 2015 as platform for close collaboration and scientific exchange between researchers from uOttawa and the Max Planck Society. Since its inception it has grown to include the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light and the Max Planck institute for Quantum Optics, as well as select alumni researchers spread across the world.

The Centre has a broad research portfolio encompassing many topics of current interest in optics and photonics. Particular areas of interest include the development of very high intensity laser sources, the development of optical methods of relevance to quantum information science and the fabrication of devices for use in classical and quantum photonics.

A keystone of the center is facilitating the mobility of young researchers, giving them the opportunity to explore the different scientific cultures early on in their professional development. The Centre supports various degrees of exchanges through fellowships, a yearly high-level workshop and the organization of a summer school.