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{{Short description|Photonic sciences research institute in Spain}}
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{{Infobox laboratory
|name = ICFO - The Institute of Photonic Sciences
|native_name = 
|image = ICFO - Parc Mediterrani de la Tecnologia.JPG
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|established = 2002
|type = basic and applied
|budget = 
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|research_field = [[Photonics]], [[Quantum technology]], [[Graphene]] 
|president = 
|vice-president = 
|dean = 
|director = [[Oriol Romero-Isart]]
|head_label = 
|head = 
|faculty = 
|staff = 400
|students = 
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|address = 
|city = Castelldefels
|state = 
|province = Barcelona
|country = Spain
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|free = 
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|website = https://www.icfo.eu/
|logo = ICFO logo 2018.png
|footnotes = 
}}

'''ICFO – The Institute of Photonic Sciences''' (in [[Catalan language|Catalan]]: ''Institut de Ciències Fotòniques'', in [[Spanish language|Spanish]]: ''Instituto de Ciencias Fotónicas'') is a research center devoted to the [[science]] and [[technology]] of light. Located in Castelldefels ([[Barcelona]], [[Spain]]), ICFO<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.icfo.eu/|title=ICFO - HOME|website=www.icfo.eu}}</ref> was created in 2002 by the [[Generalitat de Catalunya|Government of Catalonia]] and the [[Technical University of Catalonia]].

The Institute is a research center that covers various fields of physics and optics, from theoretical to applied aspects. It also provides education and training for new scientists and technologists. The institute has more than 400 researchers in 26 research groups, who work in over 60 laboratories. The institute has several facilities that support its research activities, such as a [[Cleanroom|Nanophotonics Fabrication lab]], a [[Super-resolution microscopy|Super-Resolution Light Microscopy]] & Nanoscopy Lab, and an Advanced Engineering Lab.

==Research==
Research at ICFO encompasses four broad thematic areas: [[nonlinear optics|nonlinear photonics]], [[quantum optics|quantum photonics]], [[nanophotonics]], and [[biophotonics]]. Researchers work in a variety of fields, including quantum information technologies, nanophotonic devices, remote sensors, optoelectronics, integrated optics, ultrafast optics, biophotonics, and biomedical optics. Projects are run as part of both medium-term and long-term programs.

==Research areas==
The research at ICFO focuses on the science and technology based on light for applications in health, [[Renewable Energy|renewable energy]], and [[Information technology|information technologies]].

===Health===

The Super-resolution Light Microscopy & Nanoscopy (SLN)<ref>{{Cite web|date=|title=ICFO - FACILITIES|url=https://www.icfo.eu/facilities|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306122229/http://www.icfo.eu:80/facilities|archive-date=March 6, 2018|access-date=2021-06-17|website=www.icfo.eu}}</ref> facility at ICFO is a Euro‐BioImaging (EuBI) specialized imaging facility node, providing biological and medical imaging services for life scientists world-wide. Available techniques include super resolution STORM and STED, Lattice light sheet, Light sheet fluorescence, Raman and SERS, Fluorescence (Confocal, Multispectral Confocal, FRET, FRAP, etc.), Multiphoton (TPEF, THG, SHG), Optical Tweezers and Femtosecond nanosurgery. ICFO's SLN facility is part of the European [[CORBEL]] and [[Laserlab-Europe|LaserLab]] research infrastructures.

Research is being conducted in the field of medical optics, and several programs and initiatives have been established with local hospitals, healthcare centers, biomedical research centers, universities, among others to integrate photonic based technologies in healthcare services.

===Energy===
Photonics is at the core of light-harvesting concepts and technologies like [[photovoltaics]] and [[solar cells]]. To tackle the challenges in energy efficiency, researchers at ICFO are developing new approaches to renewable energy applications. Examples of on-going projects include low-cost highly efficient transparent solar cells, organic LEDs, transparent photonic devices, smart windows, energy efficient optoelectronic devices, photoelectric, thermoelectric and electromechanical transducers, and energy efficient sensors. The center also performs research in nanophotonics, such as nano-structured materials, nano-cavities, nano-antennas, and nano-photonic devices.

===Information===
ICFO conducts experimental and theoretical research in classical and quantum communication systems, developing new photonic materials and quantum technologies. 

==Education==
ICFO participates in local and international Master and PhD Programs:
# Master in Photonics (MSc) offered by UPC (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya); UAB (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona); UB (Universitat de Barcelona); and ICFO.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://photonics.masters.upc.edu/en|title=English|website=Master's degree in Photonics}}</ref>
# [[Erasmus Mundus]] Master Course (EMMC) EUROPHOTONICS.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Home page|url=https://www.europhotonics.org/wordpress/|access-date=2021-06-17|website=Europhotonics|language=en-US}}</ref>
# PhD Program offered by UPC (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya) and ICFO.
# Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorate in Photonics Engineering, Nanophotonics and Biophotonics.

==Industrial collaborations and spin-offs companies==
ICFO maintains a range of industrial collaborations and has to date helped to generate six spin-off companies:
Radiantis (2005),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.radiantis.com/|title=Radiantis - Optical Parametric Oscillator &#124; OPO &#124; Ti Sapphire Laser &#124; Multiphoton Microscopy &#124; IR Spectrometer &#124; Harmonic Generator|website=www.radiantis.com}}</ref> 
Cosingo- Imagine Optics Spain S.L. (2008),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cosingo.com/|title=Empresa de ingeniería fotónica &#124; Cosingo|website=Cosingo ES}}</ref>
Signadyne (now part of Keysight Technologies (2011),
ProCareLight (2013),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://procarelight.com/en|title=ProCareLight|website=procarelight.com}}</ref>
HemoPhotonics (2013),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hemophotonics.com/|title=Hemophotonics|website=hemophotonics.com}}</ref> and
QuSide (2017).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.quside.com/|title=Home|website=Quside}}</ref>

The institute is member of the European Photonics Industry Consortium<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.epic-assoc.com/epic-events/|title=EPIC &#124; EPIC Events}}</ref> and takes part in the European Technology Platforms Photonics21<ref>{{Cite web|title=Photonics|url=http://www.photonics21.org/|access-date=June 17, 2021|website=www.photonics21.org}}</ref> (cf. its national equivalent Fotónica21<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fotónica21|url=http://www.fotonica21.org/|access-date=June 17, 2021|website=www.fotonica21.org}}</ref>) and [[European Technology Platform Nanomedicine|ETP Nanomedicine]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://etp-nanomedicine.eu/about-etpn/publications/|title=Publications / Archives &#124; ETPN}}</ref> It participates in the Southern European cluster in Photonics and Optic SECPhO.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Homepage_ENG|url=https://www.secpho.org/en/|access-date=2021-06-17|website=www.secpho.org|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Awards==
In 2021, ICFO received the [[Optica (society)|Optica]] Diversity & Inclusion Advocacy Recognition for "''their deliberate and intentional work to integrate equitable, transparent and inclusive policies and programs throughout their institution’s hiring, mentoring and programmatic programming."'' <ref>{{Cite web|title=Optica Diversity & Inclusion Advocacy Recognition|url=https://www.optica.org/en-us/get_involved/diversity_equity_inclusion/engagement_opportunities/diversity_inclusion_advocacy_recognition/|access-date=3 December 2021|website=Optica}}</ref>

==References==
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{{morecat|date=June 2021}}
[[Category:Education in Catalonia]]
[[Category:Research institutes in Catalonia]]
[[Category:Photonics]]