Numerical Optics Ltd. (NOL) provides services across the range of sciences involved in the exploitation of satellite imagery of shallow water coastal areas - from radiative transfer theory to the use of geo-spatial data in coastal environments. Past and present projects cover everything from atmospheric and aerosol modelling; to bathymetric and benthic mapping; to developing decision support software for marine protected areas. Clients and partners include universities, government agencies and commercial companies, distributed world-wide including Europe, the USA, Australia and Asia.

NOL develops and maintains several software products. Starting in 2017, NOL took on development and maintenance of the HydroLight and EcoLight-S radiative transfer models, formerly products of Sequioa Scientific and developed by Curt Mobley. NOL has worked in partnership with Dr. Mobley and recently HydroLight 6.0 was released with a number of new features (more details).

NOL has substantial experience in satellite derived bathymetry (SDB). The IDA (Image Data Analysis) software is an efficient and user-friendly software for physics-based satellite derived bathymetry and other shallow water mapping objectives. IDA encapsulates the range of scientfic interests pursued by the company, using radiative transfer modelling to provide end-user spatial products for coastal management.

NOL was founded in 2012 by Dr. John Hedley. who previously had over 10 years experience working at the Marine Spatial Ecology Lab (when it was based at Exeter University in the UK), plus a variety of commercial sector experience. Dr. Hedley has 1st class degrees in Zoology and Mathematics and a Ph.D. in remote sensing of coral reefs. Numerical Optics Ltd. is located in Devon, in the south-west of the United Kingdom.

See here for contact details.