The Center for Optics and Photonics of the Universidad de Concepcion, CEFOP-UdeC, is a center of scientific and technological research of the Centers of Excellence program funded by the CONICYT Basal Financing Program, created in 2009 after the award of Project PO8024.

CEFOP-UdeC is composed of Physics and Engineering researchers who carry out fundamental and applied research in: Quantum Information; Atmospheric Optics; Photoacoustic Spectroscopy; and Optical Trapping and Microscopy.  The research team also combines efforts with a team of engineers of various specialties and Industrial Designers in the Technological Development unit, geared toward technology transfer.  In addition, we develop a spectrum of complementary activities with research and development, such as telemetry and control, telecommunications, smart cameras and plenoptics, as well as the development of laser spectroscopy techniques..

Since our inception, we have produced 59 projects, of which 26 are active, and we have 214 publications to date.  Therefore, from the beginning, we were an interdisciplinary center, one whose parts were collaborative and complementary, where theoretical and experimentalist aspects on basic research were involved with applied research and technological development, as well as the training of undergraduate and graduate students.

Our main objectives are the growth of the Optics and Photonics research lines in Chile, and collaboration with the industrial sector to implement technological transfer and development programs of high social and or economical impact. In its second phase of operation, CEFOP-UdeC will also use the experience acquired during the production of devices for the forestry industry, as well as from other products with important levels of development obtained through quantum information, optics and miscroscopy.  In relation to scientific alliances, emphasis will be given to support for centers and research groups, in order to generate interdisciplinary capacities.

History

CEFOP-UdeC emerged from the efforts of the Optics and Quantum Information Millenium Nucleus (COIC) and the UdeC Satellite Teledetecion Laboratory, who in turn joined the Optoelectronic group of the Engineering Faculty at UdeC.  Also, the Nonlinear Optics group of the Universidad de Chile joined as allies in scientific capacity, as did the Teledetection Group in scientific technological capacity, along with academics from Physics and Engineering of the Universidad de la Frontera.  In the second phase, the Optical Communications group of the Universidad de los Andes will be integrated.