Phi Optics is an optical microscope company that has developed the next generation of optical imaging systems through its Quantitative Phase Imaging (QPI) platform. Backed by an extensive patent portfolio secured both through in-licensing and continued developments at Phi Optics, the company is targeting applications in life sciences, medical diagnostics, nanotechnology, and semiconductor testing.
Phi Optics technology platform uses standard tools and processes and combines the performance of traditional modalities of an light microscope (e.g. fluorescence, DIC, phase contrast) with the real-time 3D topography capabilities of QPI. This combination offers a significant advantage for applications that require low-cost, fast, and accurate imaging of nanostructures.
Dr. Gabriel Popescu, associate professor in Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, founded Phi Optics in 2009. He developed the QPI with hopes that it would be a practical instrument that would help other researchers discover scientific breakthroughs. Catalin Chiritscu, alumnus of Urbana-Champaign’s Materials Science & Engineering Program, joined Phi Optics as Chief Operations Officer and Principal Scientist.
EnterpriseWorks Tenure: 2013-2019
News & Milestones
- Imaging Startup Phi Optics Closes Seed Funding Round
- Research Park Well-Represented Among Innovation Celebration Award Finalists
- Phi Optics CEO Interviewed About New Technology
- IL BioQuarterly Features Research Park Biotech Startup Companies
- Phi Optics Recognized for Outstanding Technology by Central Illinois Business
- Phi Optics Success Story
Phi Optics Now
Phi Optics has operated out of the University of Illinois Research Park since graduating from the EnterpriseWorks incubator in 2019.