Dan Hewak (CTO and Founder) Dan obtained his PhD in Applied Physics from the University of
Waterloo, Canada in 1989, where he gained significant experience in optoelectronic material development. He
spent three years at the National Optics Institute in Ste. Foy, Quebec working on contract research for
numerous companies including IBM, Digital Equipment of Canada and Bell Northern Research. He now leads an
internationally-recognised research group at the University of Southampton studying novel chalcogenide
glasses. This work has led to the first chalcogenide glass laser and the first single-mode fibre in a
gallium lanthanum sulphide glass. He has significant experience of collaboration with industry and
university and is the holder of six patents for novel glasses and their applications.
Richard Curry (Product Development Manager and Co-Founder) Richard obtained his BSc in
Theoretical Physics and PhD in Physics from Queen Mary University of London in 1999, where he continued
to work until moving to the ORC in 2001. During this time, he demonstrated the first infrared emitting
organic LED's and the first hybrid Si-Organic 1.5µm electroluminescence source. He has further expanded
his research and currently leads work on the deposition of chalcogenide glass waveguiding films for
planar optical applications, including lasers and amplifiers, and novel spin-coating techniques.
Dr Chris Sproat Chris is currently employed in the Maxillofacial Unit at Guy's
Hospital London, working with Professor McGurk in the development of minimally invasive surgical techniques
for head and neck surgery. Main current research interest is in the development of erbium laser for
micro-endoscopic applications. Qualified in medicine from King's College London in 1990 with honours and
prior to this studied dentistry including an BSc in basic medical sciences.
Arshad Mairaj (Co-Founder) Arshad spent his research career involved in the investigation
and development of waveguide technologies in novel glasses. Highlights of his research include the
demonstration of the first chalcogenide channel waveguide laser and the first chalcogenide single mode
planar waveguide film fabricated through spin coating. His work has been instrumental in our achievement
of very high purity glasses.
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