Frederic Gardes

Professor Frederic Gardes is a leading academic in the Department of Electronics and Computer Science within the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Southampton. He holds a PhD and serves as Principal Investigator on multiple high-impact photonics research projects funded by EPSRC and the European Union.

His research spans critical areas of modern photonics:

• Silicon photonics for energy-efficient communications
• Integrated optical circuits using silicon nitride platforms
• Quantum dot systems for sensing and information processing
• High-speed electro-optic modulators
• Nonlinear optical phenomena in integrated waveguides

Professor Gardes' recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate a concentrated focus on advancing silicon nitride photonics, particularly in developing low-loss interfaces, high-speed modulators operating at 100 Gbit/s, and broadband wavelength conversion techniques. His work bridges fundamental nonlinear optics with practical applications in telecommunications and sensing, consistently emphasizing CMOS compatibility and manufacturing feasibility.

He actively supervises seven PhD students pursuing cutting-edge research in photonic integration. His leadership extends to major collaborative projects including QUDOS, C-PIC, and Horizon Europe initiatives like DOLORES and PIXEurope, where he works alongside Professors Graham Reed, David Thomson, and Goran Mashanovich.

Professor Gardes maintains active industry engagement through speaking roles such as his 2023 presentation on Advanced Silicon Nitride Integration for CMOS Photonic Circuits, demonstrating the translational impact of his research.