Welcome

Thank you for visiting the Photonics and Laser Engineering Laboratory at Bangor University. Led by Professor Zengbo (James) Wang, our team is dedicated to advancing next-generation photonics and laser technologies with wide-ranging applications in advanced manufacturing, super-resolution imaging, sensing, solar energy, and more.

One key scientific achievement by us is the pioneering of ‘microsphere nanoscope’ and super-resolution techniques and applications based on dielectric particle superlenses made from microspherespider silk  , high-index nanoparticle and others. These were widely publicised. Check our featured  interview (“Improbable vision“)   and review chapter (Super-resolution imaging and microscopy by dielectric particle-lenses“)  we wrote about the technique.   

To address key challenges in microsphere nanoscopy—such as low image contrast, slow acquisition speed, sample dependence, and ultra-short working distances—we are leading innovations that aim to overcome these limitations. For more on this evolving field, see our published roadmap and Roadmap on Label-Free Super-resolution Imaging.

Beyond super-resolution, we are also active in nanophotonics and metamaterials (e.g., anti-laser filters), laser material processing (e.g., artificial surface engineering and nano-marking), and solar energy technologies, with a strong emphasis on industrial applications.

Artificial Intelligence in Photonics Design, Imaging, and Manufacturing
Our recent research places strong emphasis on integrating AI into photonics and laser engineering. Supported by a Leverhulme Trust Research Fellowship, we are developing AI-driven super-resolution imaging technologies and exploring how AI can enhance optical design, nanoscale imaging, and laser fabrication.

We apply a range of models—such as CNNs, RNNs, GANs, and Large Language Models (LLMs)—to tackle challenges in photonic inverse design, biological imaging, and laser process control. We are also working with industry to apply these AI tools in real-world product and process innovation.

News:

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Laser Color Marking
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What I cannot build, I do not understand – Richard Feynman