ProfessorMichael Damzen
Professor of Experimental Laser Physics
Department of Physics - Faculty of Natural Sciences
- Professor of Experimental Laser PhysicsDepartment of Physics - Faculty of Natural Sciences
- 020 7594 7783 (Work)
- 610, Blackett Laboratory, South Kensington Campus, United Kingdom
BIO
Mike Damzen is Professor of Experimental Laser Physics at Imperial College London. He was Head of the Photonics Group from 2013 - 2023, whose research activities included laser technology, applied optics, biomedical imaging, biophotonics, and industrial photonics applications. He leads the research team of the Nonlinear Optics group with activities in lasers and nonlinear optical techniques.
His research includes a number of novel high power laser architectures, technologies and techniques from self-organising (holographic) lasers to ultra-high gain and tunable diode-pumped solid-state laser systems.
He currently leads a programme on the development of wavelength tunable laser technology for space and airborne remote sensing (e.g. atmosphere and vegetation) - with long standing support from the European Space Agency (ESA). He has demonstrated breakthrough development of tunable-wavelength diode-pumped Alexandrite laser technology, including world-highest power operation and first Q-switched operation. The laser technology is being developed towards specifications for remote sensing (e.g short pulse, high pulse rate in near-IR and UV) and other configurations are being investigated and developed for other compact, low-cost applications, such as in biophotonics and industry.
He was Academic Founder of Midaz Lasers Ltd, and acted as Director and Chief Scientific Officer over its operational period from 2006 until its successful trade sale to the world's largest laser company. Midaz designed, assembled and sold engineered laser and amplifier products to the precision laser manufacturing market, incorporating patented solid-state laser technology arising from his research.
His research includes a number of novel high power laser architectures, technologies and techniques from self-organising (holographic) lasers to ultra-high gain and tunable diode-pumped solid-state laser systems.
He currently leads a programme on the development of wavelength tunable laser technology for space and airborne remote sensing (e.g. atmosphere and vegetation) - with long standing support from the European Space Agency (ESA). He has demonstrated breakthrough development of tunable-wavelength diode-pumped Alexandrite laser technology, including world-highest power operation and first Q-switched operation. The laser technology is being developed towards specifications for remote sensing (e.g short pulse, high pulse rate in near-IR and UV) and other configurations are being investigated and developed for other compact, low-cost applications, such as in biophotonics and industry.
He was Academic Founder of Midaz Lasers Ltd, and acted as Director and Chief Scientific Officer over its operational period from 2006 until its successful trade sale to the world's largest laser company. Midaz designed, assembled and sold engineered laser and amplifier products to the precision laser manufacturing market, incorporating patented solid-state laser technology arising from his research.
ACADEMIC POSITIONS
- Head of Photonics GroupImperial College London, London, United Kingdom1 Oct 2013 - 30 Sep 2023
- Head of Nonlinear Optics GroupImperial College London, London, United Kingdom1 Oct 1984 - present
- Professor of Experimental Laser PhysicsImperial College London, Physics, London, United Kingdom2004 - present
DEGREES
- PhD, Laser PhysicsImperial College London, Physics, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom1980 - 1983
- BSc (Hons), PhysicsImperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom1977 - 1980
FACULTY
- Faculty of Natural Sciences
POSITION NAME
- Professor of Experimental Laser Physics