Bridging the
Innovation Gap
in Optical Coatings
We are pioneering an industry-defining transformation by establishing the nation’s first production-ready facility for the manufacture of large-area, high-precision coatings by ion beam deposition
Our Mission
EPOC is more than just a technological facility – it is a catalyst for progress, a nexus for collaboration, and a pathway to the future of photonics and quantum technologies in Scotland and the UK. By providing access, training, and manufacturing capabilities for next-generation optical coatings to the Scottish and UK industrial pool, we aim to provoke a step-change in achievable product performances, thereby promoting the adoption and exploitation of cutting-edge technologies.
Our commitment to advancing the cutting-edge technology in optical coatings not only caters to the immediate needs of the photonics industry but also anticipates and drives its future direction. As we expand our capabilities, we will concurrently enable and nurture the growth of emerging technologies, catalysing innovation, and fostering the development and implementation of new technological paradigms within the UK photonics and higher education sectors.
The challenges posed by costs and specialist expertise, once insurmountable hurdles for individual companies, can now be tackled collectively and effectively, empowering local enterprises to engage more competitively in the global photonics industry. Born out of rigorous research and development work in gravitational wave astronomy and it’s detection technologies, our expertise stands to revolutionise the UK’s photonics industry, pushing boundaries by offering unprecedented levels of optical performance.
Established with the pioneering aim to be the UK’s first production-ready ion beam deposition facility dedicated to manufacturing these specialist coatings, we are at the forefront of driving an industrial shift. Nestled in the dynamic Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS), which is Scotland’s home of manufacturing innovation, EPOC is a bastion of technological advancement for the UK photonics sector. We are also committed to nurturing homegrown talent and solution that support our local economy and associated employment opportunities.
Partners
The foundation of our work at EPOC rests on the shoulders of the partnerships and collaborations we have with esteemed universities and research institutions, including the University of Strathclyde (UoS), University of Glasgow (UoG), and University of the West of Scotland (UWS). These collaborations have fostered a robust network for thin film R&D, and have facilitated clinical trials, showcasing an impressive track record of SME-orientated open innovation and commercialisation of academic research.
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