(19)
(11) EP 4 824 612 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3:
17.07.2025

(43) Date of publication:
21.10.2026 Bulletin 2026/43

(21) Application number: 24821421.5

(22) Date of filing: 09.12.2024
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
G02F 1/35(2006.01)
G02B 27/01(2006.01)
G02F 1/355(2006.01)
H01S 3/00(2006.01)
G02B 5/30(2006.01)
G02B 26/06(2006.01)
 G02F 1/01(2006.01)
G02B 27/00(2006.01)
G02F 1/37(2006.01)
H01S 5/00(2006.01)
G02B 23/12(2006.01)
(52) Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC):
G02B 2027/0178; G02B 27/0172; G02F 1/3544; G02F 1/3532; G02F 2203/12; G02F 1/01; G02B 2027/0138; G02F 1/353; G02F 1/3548; G02F 1/3558; G02F 1/37; G02B 27/0101; G02F 1/3534; G02B 26/06; G02B 27/0093; G02B 27/01; G02F 1/355
(86) International application number:
PCT/EP2024/085341
(87) International publication number:
WO 2025/125176 (19.06.2025 Gazette 2025/25)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC ME MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR
Designated Extension States:
BA
Designated Validation States:
GE KH MA MD TN

(30) Priority: 15.12.2023 GB 202319269
15.12.2023 GB 202319273
15.12.2023 GB 202319275
15.12.2023 GB 202319276
15.12.2023 GB 202319277
15.12.2023 GB 202319278
15.12.2023 GB 202319280
15.12.2023 GB 202319282
15.12.2023 GB 202319285
15.12.2023 GB 202319288
15.12.2023 GB 202319289
15.12.2023 GB 202319291
15.12.2023 GB 202319293
15.12.2023 GB 202319296
15.12.2023 GB 202319299
15.12.2023 GB 202319300

(71) Applicant: University Of Southampton
Southampton, Hampshire SO17 1BJ (GB)

(72) Inventors:
  • SMITH, Peter George Robin
    Southampton University Road Southampton Hampshire SO17 1BJ (GB)
  • GATES, James
    Southampton University Road Southampton Hampshire SO17 1BJ (GB)
  • CHURCHILL, Glen
    Southampton University Road Southampton Hampshire SO17 1BJ (GB)
  • TAWY, Goronwy
    Southampton University Road Southampton Hampshire SO17 1BJ (GB)
  • BANNERMAN, Rex Hugh Seton
    Southampton University Road Southampton Hampshire SO17 1BJ (GB)

(74) Representative: Haines, Miles John L.S. 
Haines IP Limited 12 Byron Close
Bishop's Waltham, Southampton SO32 1RS
Bishop's Waltham, Southampton SO32 1RS (GB)

   


(54) OPTICAL APPARATUS