Illustration of optical communication and photonic sensing equipment.

Living Labs
Photonics Lab

Photonics Lab develops optical communication systems, photonic sensing technologies and their integration into communication and monitoring infrastructures. Our research spans optical fibers, photonic components and measurement techniques, passive optical networks, distributed and point fiber-optic sensing, and emerging quantum communication technologies.

We combine research, experimental development and real-world validation. A central focus is sharing optical infrastructure between data transmission and continuous monitoring of physical, structural and environmental parameters. Working with industrial and research partners, we develop and test technologies for telecommunications, infrastructure, transportation, healthcare, industry and harsh environments.

Industry
Services & Equipment

We provide research, development, measurement and experimental validation in optical communications and photonic sensing. Our infrastructure supports testing individual fibers and components as well as complete communication and sensing networks, in controlled laboratory conditions and real-world deployments.

Our cooperation includes:

Fiber-optic communication systems

Design, testing and performance evaluation of optical communication systems, including passive optical networks (PON), wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) technologies and optical access networks.

Development and testing of fiber-optic sensing systems, including distributed, interferometric and fiber Bragg grating (FBG) technologies for industrial, energy, infrastructure, biomedical and environmental monitoring.

Development and testing of free-space optical communication systems, including optical wireless links and their applications.

Integration of data transmission and fiber-optic sensing within shared optical infrastructures for simultaneous communication and monitoring.

Measurement and diagnostics of optical fibers, components and networks, including attenuation, spectral analysis and optical time-domain reflectometry (OTDR).

Development and experimental characterization of photonic components and systems for communication, sensing and biomedical applications.

Research and experimental development of quantum communication technologies and secure optical transmission systems.

Development and characterization of thin films, nanolayers and functional surfaces for advanced photonic applications.

Equipment & facilities

Fiber processing and functionalization facilities
  • Optical fiber preparation and splicing equipment
  • Thin-film and nanolayer deposition system
  • Fiber coating, functionalization and surface modification facilities
Photonics
  • Free-space optical communication and sensing testbeds
  • Laser sources, photodetectors and photonic components
  • Experimental optical and photonic setups
Photonics Telecommunications
  • PON and optical transmission testbeds
  • Distributed fiber-optic sensing systems: DAS, DTS and DSTS
  • Interferometric and FBG-based sensing platforms
Photonics Sensing Technologies Telecommunications
  • Optical spectrum analyzers and OTDR systems
  • High-speed optical and electrical measurement equipment
  • Fiber and photonic component characterization systems
Photonics Sensing Technologies

Publications

Oliveira S., Nedoma J., Martinek R., Marques C.
Advances and new perspectives of optical systems and technologies for aerospace applications: a comprehensive review
Advances and new perspectives of optical systems and technologies for aerospace applications: a comprehensive review
Opto-Electronic Advances, 8(8), 250036, 2025.
IF = 22.4
Nedoma J., Krizan D., Stipal J., Pereira L., Bekmurzayeva A., Tosi D., Costa M. B., Leal-Junior A., Martinek R., Marques C.
Decade of advancements in light–matter interaction-based optical fiber biosensing: innovations, challenges, and future directions
Decade of advancements in light–matter interaction-based optical fiber biosensing: innovations, challenges, and future directions
Advanced Photonics, 2026.
IF = 19.5 (2025)
Leal-Junior A., Silveira M., Kepak S., Nedoma J., Martinek R., Marques C.
Comprehensive review of distributed acoustic sensing technology: principles, configurations, applications and emerging trends
Comprehensive review of distributed acoustic sensing technology: principles, configurations, applications and emerging trends
Opto-Electronic Advances, 2026.
IF = 22.4 (2025)
Rendeiro R., Jargus J., Nedoma J., Martinek R., Marques C.
The possibilities of using a mixture of PDMS and phosphor in a wide range of industry applications
The possibilities of using a mixture of PDMS and phosphor in a wide range of industry applications
Opto-Electronic Advances, 2024.
IF = 22.4 (2024)
Leal-Junior A., Nedoma J., Martinek R.
The Role of Photonic Sensing Technologies in Healthcare 5.0: A Comprehensive Review of Future Perspectives and Applications
The Role of Photonic Sensing Technologies in Healthcare 5.0: A Comprehensive Review of Future Perspectives and Applications
IEEE Internet of Things Journal, 2025.
IF = 8.7 (2025)

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