MNMT-DUBLIN
-Micro/Nano Manufacturing-

On 17 August 2026, Professor Martin Booth from the University of Oxford delivered an invited seminar on adaptive optics and precision laser fabrication at the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University College Dublin (UCD).

Adaptive optics enables spatial control of the phase and intensity of a laser beam, making it a powerful tool to assist ultrashort pulse laser machining inside transparent material. Optical aberrations caused by refraction at interfaces distort the laser focus, compromising fabrication resolution and precision. Prof. Booth and his team have shown how the aberrations can be dynamically compensated using adaptive optics for improved manufacturing of functional devices. Adaptive optics can be further used for parallelisation or beam shaping. Many applications have benefitted from this approach, including fabrication of 3D waveguide circuits in a range of materials, fiber-based Bragg sensors for harsh environments, and diamond-based electronics.

Following the seminar, participants engaged in lively discussions with Professor Booth on adaptive optics, laser processing, and potential industrial applications. He shared insights from his research and experience and responded to questions from the audience.

Professor Booth subsequently visited the MNMT-Dublin laboratory, where he learned more about the group's research activities and ongoing projects. He expressed appreciation for the cutting-edge research being conducted and congratulated the team on its achievements in recent years. Both sides expressed interest in continuing the exchange and exploring opportunities for future research collaboration.

(Prepared by Zhi Zeng, Photographed by Wenhao Zhang, Edited by Junxi Yao)