Optoelectronic researchers recognised with Rank Prizes

The awards will be made in respect of two technologies: strained layer lasers; and the atomic clock on a chip. Receiving recognition for their work on strained layer lasers are Professor Alf Adams of Surrey University (pictured), Prof Eoin O'Reilly, from Ireland's Tyndall National Institute, Dr Gordon Osbourn, who did his earlier work at Sandia National Labs, and Prof Eli Yablonovitch, from the University of California at Berkeley. According to the citation, Profs Adams, O'Reilly and Yablonovitch independently proposed in 1986 the use of at least one strained layer in the active region of a semiconductor laser. This development, it continues, has increased efficiency, reduced threshold currents and increased output power in these devices, amongst other benefits. Dr Osbourn, meanwhile, carried out theoretical studies of strained layer superlattices in the early 1980s, predicting in 1985 the changes to valence band structures as a result of strain. Also mentioned in the citation is the late EO Kane, who worked on similar devices at Bell Labs in the early 1980s. Meanwhile, Prof Leo Hollberg of Stanford University and Drs John Kitching and Svenja Knappe of the US National Institute of Standards and Technology, have been recognised for their work in shrinking the size, weight and power consumption of atomic clocks, enabling them to have broad application.