Research topics
Centre For Cold Matter
The Centre for Cold Matter (CCM) is devoted to the study of fundamental problems in physics using the techniques of atomic and laser physics. We work on: new techniques and devices to control, interact with, and study the basic physics of cold atoms and Bose-Einstein condensates; methods to produce, cool, and trap molecules; "quantum nanophotonics", interfacing photons with single quantum systems; and testing fundamental theories of physics through measurements on cold molecules.
Ion Trapping
The ion trap group is working on experiments to test the predictions of Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) in highly-charged ions. We are also investigating the fascinating physics of "ion Coulomb crystals", which can be used in applications such as quantum simulation and studies of quantum tunnelling. We carry out our experiments with a Penning trap, which uses static electric and magnetic fields to confine atomic ions. We use laser cooling to reduce the temperature of calcium ions to less than 1 kelvin and study the ions using precision laser spectroscopy and high resolution imaging of the ions.
Laser Consortium
This major grouping of experimental and theoretical physicists is concerned with the interaction of high-intensity and ultra-short laser pulses with matter. We are the leading UK group in the generation of ultra-short pulses and we study atomic, molecular and plasma physics using our unique laser sources.
Controlled Quantum Dynamic Theory
The research interest of the group is the control and manipulation of physical systems to exhibit manifestly quantum mechanical effects such as quantum correlations and quantum interference.
Photonic Quantum Information
Our aim is to be at the forefront of quantum photonics in order to explore fundamental questions in quantum science and to develop next generation quantum technologies.
Our mission is to innovate the ways in which light can be used to enable quantum information science and technologies using state of the art optical technologies, including PNRDs, linear and nonlinear PICs, advanced pulsed laser systems and warm and cold atomic vapours to enable generation, manipulation and detection of single photons and other quantum states of light, applying these to problems where quantum offers enhanced performance.
Biophotonics
Biophotonics concerns the application of photonics to the life sciences, often exploiting the chemical specificity that is provided via the interaction of ultraviolet, visible and NIR radiation with electronic and vibrational transitions of molecules associated with biological tissues, as well as with exogenous probes and contrast agents. In the Photonics Group, a significant fraction of our research portfolio is devoted to the development and application of photonics technology for the study of disease and the development of diagnostic tools and therapies. These biophotonics projects utilise a range of optical readouts across the scales from cuvette-based solution studies of molecular biology and super-resolved microscopy through high content analysis (HCA) and preclinical imaging to ex vivo clinical studies of tissue and in vivo studies in patients. This multidisciplinary work is undertaken in collaboration with partners from the Faculties of Natural Sciences, Engineering and Medicine and with external hospitals and biomedical research institutes.
Electromagnetic Theory
Research is centred on applications of high numerical aperture, electromagnetic imaging. A key strength is ultra-high resolution micropolarimetry, with which it is possible to determine the polarisation properties of samples such as 2-D and 3D metamaterials and micromagnetic structures with extreme accuracy.
Laser Technology
We conduct a world-leading research activity on fibre and all-solid-state lasers developed for many real-world applications from precision laser manufacturing, remote sensing through to medical imaging and therapeutics.
Optical Technology and Imaging
Optical technologies and imaging is a core expertise of our group and is used in our fundamental and applied research. Technologies employed include advanced laser-based microscopy; digitally programmable light using spatial light modulators; adaptive optics using deformable mirrors for imaging through aberrations; single-photon detection; development of novel optical instrumentation.