Research Centers

Photonics is a vibrant research team under the FKAB, UKM. Dedicated to pushing the boundaries of photonics science and technology. Originating from the Photonics Tech. Laboratory, the group emphasizes high-impact research, innovation, & strategic collaborations to deliver advanced optical solutions for various applications. With a strong commitment to excellence, the group aspires to be a national & global leader in photonics innovation. Photonics strong focus on translational research is proven by its impressive portfolio of granted & filed patents, spanning innovations in optical sensing, advanced fiber technologies, real-time monitoring systems, and solutions for healthcare, industry, and the environment. These breakthroughs highlight the group’s leadership in transforming photonics research into impactful, real-world applications.

As one of the Higher Institution Centres of Excellence (HICoE) under the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), the Photonics Research Centre envisions establishing a leading research network equipped with world-class facilities that drives innovation in optical fibre technologies and promotes knowledge transfer to both public and private sectors. To date, our centre has formed strong collaborations with local and international universities and research institutions. We also work closely with government-linked agencies and leading Malaysian companies such as Telekom Malaysia and Sime Darby. The centre comprises a team of dedicated researchers and highly skilled research officers with expertise across various domains. Our goal is to develop a premier photonics research hub that not only advances scientific knowledge but also cultivates talented professionals in the field.

The Photonics Engineering Research Group (PERG) focuses on advanced fiber optic and photonic technologies, including ultrafast fiber lasers (1.0–2.0 µm), D-shaped fiber lasers and sensors, and distributed acoustic sensing (DAS). Research thrusts encompass fiber Bragg grating (FBG)-based sensors, tapered fiber sensors, fiber amplifiers, and Passive Optical Network (PON) systems integrated with monitoring capabilities. The group also employs machine learning approaches to optimize sensing and laser performance. With active collaboration between UiTM Shah Alam and UiTM Dungun, PERG has secured RM1.8 million in research funding, obtained six copyrights, and formalized five MOA/MOUs. Notable achievements include the realization of dissipative soliton fiber lasers using saturable absorbers and the development of fiber-based sensing and PON monitoring systems.

The Nanophotonics & Quantum Electronics (NQE) group focuses on the interaction of light with matter at the nanoscale, specifically through the fields of nanophotonics and quantum electronics. The research in nanophotonics involves designing advanced components for applications such as ultra-sensitive sensors, high-speed communication, and advanced medical imaging, while quantum electronics research explores "quantum-fuel" mechanisms for quantum computing, precision sensing, and secure communication. The group's work, which is supported by dedicated laboratory facilities, includes collaborations and aims to contribute to future advancements in these cutting-edge fields.

The Photonics Research Group at FST USIM is dedicated to advancing the science and application of fiber optic sensors which operate based on the principles of light-matter interaction, evanescent wave absorption, plasmonic resonance, and intensity modulation. These sensors detect changes in environmental or chemical conditions by monitoring variations in light intensity, wavelength shift, or refractive index within the fiber core or cladding enabling high sensitivity and real-time monitoring. Our research includes the development of plasmonic fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) for honey quality testing, p-VibroSense which focuses on structural health monitoring via

vibration/ strain sensing, and plasmonic detection for rice grain moisture levels. We also explore fiber optic evanescent wave absorption sensor for applications such as e-coli detection, beer alcohol detection, VOC monitoring, and health diagnostics. Additionally, through intensity modulation based fiber sensors, we investigate gold authentication, polyphenol content in green tea, and uric acid detection. Our work extends to IoT integrated smart fiber sensors for real-time environmental and astronomical monitoring, underscoring our commitment to multidisciplinary innovation through photonics.

The Smart Photonics Research Laboratory at Sunway University, led by Prof. Dr. Angela Amphawan focuses on Angular Momentum (OAM) Space Division Multiplexing (SDM) to increase the data capacity and spectral efficiency across multiple domains. In free space optical (FSO) terrestrial communications, OAM-SDM supports high-capacity 6G backhaul and dense urban networks, while in non-terrestrial FSO networks, it enables multi-beam satellite and aerial links with reduced frequency reuse constraints. For industrial sensing, OAM channels can simultaneously carry data and act as sensitive probes for environmental changes in harsh conditions.  In quantum key distribution (QKD), high-dimensional OAM states boost key rates and security beyond traditional polarization-based schemes. By combining with other multiplexing techniques and advanced mode converters, OAM-SDM offers a scalable path for an integrated and resillient terrestrial, satellite, sensing, and quantum networks.

Research Centre of Excellence for Wireless and Photonics Network (WiPNET) is a centre under the Deputy Dean Reseach and Innovation, Faculty of Engineering UPM.

 The Center for Fiber Networking and Communications (CFNC) at Multimedia University is a leading research institution that integrates artificial intelligence with advanced fiber-optic technologies across four core areas.

Centre of Excellence Advanced Communication Engineering