Central Laboratory of Optical Storage and Processing of Information
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
(CLOSPI-BAS)

www.optics.bas.bg

CLOSPI is an independent scientific institution attached to the Physics branch of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. It specialises in coherent optics: holography; holographic light-sensitive materials; holographic, laser and speckle interferometry; digital and optical processing of information. For the last twenty years CLOSPI has developed new high-quality materials and devices for permanent and dynamic holographic recording, computerised devices for micro/macro interferometric measurements, refractometry, optical sensing, diffraction optics and processing of information. Most of its research is into new materials, methods and systems, protected by patent certificates. It has an impressive record of disseminating its results, usually in prestigious journals such as Appl. Opt., Opt. Commun., Opt. Letters, JOSA, J. Modern Opt., Rev. Sci. Instr., Proc. SPIE, etc. It has a permanent staff of forty-six, including eleven senior researchers and associate professors, as well as nine Ph.D. students. CLOSPI-BAS is the organizer of the International Conference Holography’05, that continues tradition in organisation of holographic workshops and conferences, the last one in 1989 at the same place (Proc. SPIE, v. 1183).

CLOSPI has extensive scientific contacts in the wider scientific community, which has further helped further reinforce its international reputation for excellence in research. It has undertaken collaborative work wit colleagues in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, Greece, the UK, Russia, Taiwan, Mexico and other countries. For the SILVERCROSS project, its investigations and results in the field of light-sensitive materials, optical metrology, optical sensors, refractometry, interferometry, optical and digital processing of information are all essential. Its equipment and facilities will be invaluable to this project, as will its personnel’s extensive know-how. Particular facilities of interest to this project include: clean rooms; chemical laboratories; technologies for production and testing of light sensitive materials (including ultra fine grain silver halide monochrome and panchromatic plates); lasers; holographic benches; and optical and mechanical elements. In the frame of SILVERCROSS project pilot production of silver-halide light sensitive materials onto glass and film TAC substrates are planned.