Richard Carter

Richard Carter is an Associate Professor at Heriot-Watt University, affiliated with the School of Engineering & Physical Sciences and the Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences. He holds roles as Academic Lead in Precision Laser Applications at the National Robotarium and Vice President of the Association of Industrial Laser Users. His research focuses on precision laser manufacturing, optical system automation, and fiber optics. Key projects include high-power beam delivery via hollow-core fibers, environmental sensing, and microwelding of dissimilar materials.

• Education: MPhys from University of Edinburgh (2005), MSc in Photonics from Universities of St Andrews and Heriot-Watt (2007), PhD in Fiber Optic Sensing from Heriot-Watt (2012).

Research interests span laser processing, robotics alignment, and beam shaping. Collaborations include Renishaw, Leonardo MW, and the CSIR (India). Awards include the 2009 IOP Best Speaker Prize and 2022 John E. Marquis Award. He advises PhD students and leads projects in ultrafast laser welding and automation.

• Notable datasets: Industrial picosecond pulse laser welding of stainless-steel to quartz, ultra-short pulse laser welding of crystals and glasses.

Labs/Teams: Applied Optics and Photonics Group, National Robotarium. Current work emphasizes industrial automation of optical systems and stress management in laser-joined components.