Product/Research Description

The department of Physics at Strathclyde University has research programmes covering many areas of optical science and technology ranging from the fundamental science of the interaction of radiation with matter through to applications driven experiments. The research activity is a successful blend of theory and experiment, fundamental and applied. Approximately half of the departmental research activity is concerned with optical science and technology. There are active programmes in; diode pumped solid state lasers, optical parametric oscillators and nonlinear optics, laser cooling of atoms, theoretical and experimental quantum optics, computational nonlinear optics, research into semiconductor physics and devices (particularly the III-N materials), into ultrafast processes through the Femtosecond Research Centre, terahertz generation and measurement, free electron maser and laser physics, and photophysics.

Research Activities

We have active research programmes in wide range of aspects of optical science and engineering. 3 divisions;

Optics

• Photonics

Researching into the basic physics of diode pumped solid state lasers, optical parametric oscillators and nonlinear optics and the applications thereof.

• Quantum Optics

Researching into the basic physics of quantum optics, including atom cooling, atom lithography and atom optics. Researching into theoretical quantum optics including quantum computing, cryptography and Bose-Einstein condensation.

• Computational Nonlinear Optics

Researching into aspects of the propagation and pattern formation of light in nonlinear optical systems. Cavity solitons and their applications in information and image processing. Modelling of complex laser systems in spatial and temporal dimensions.

• Photonics Device Simulation

The vast computational and device design power of the group have been pulled together to offer a design and simulation service to academia and industry.

Nanoscience

• Semiconductor Spectroscopy and Devices

Researching into the basic physics of the light emission from semiconductor nanoscience to inform an understanding of advanced semiconductor devices.

• Femtosecond Research Centre

This is a dedicated user facility that provides access to advanced ultrashort light sources for a range of applications.

• Wolfson Nanometrology Laboratory

Research into the formation, control and characterisation of nanoparticles.

• Photophysics

Researching into the underlying physics and application of molecular fluorescence in condensed media.

• Environmental Optics

Researching and developing optical techniques and instruments for remote sensing and unattended monitoring of environmental variables which impact areas such as environmental protection, pollution assessment and global ecosystems.

Plasmas

• Relativistic Electron Beams, Lasers and Discharges

Experimental and theoretical aspects of relativistic electron beam physics, electron cyclotron masers, free electron lasers and collective recoil lasers.

• Photo-nuclear physics

Lasers of exceptional intensity are used in the study of nuclear processes.

• Terahertz to Optical Pulse Source (TOPS)

A consortium effort involving most of the major Universities in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK. This involves the synchronised production of high power ultrashort light and electron beam pulses for a variety of applications.

Specialised Skills and Facilities

Research, consultancy and collaboration on all aspects of research in which the department is active. The Femtosecond Research Centre and the TOPS facility are particularly aimed at non-specialist users.

• Femtosecond Research Centre
• Teraherz to Optical Pulse Source (TOPS)
• Photonic Devices Simulation Services (PDSS)
• Wolfson Nanometrology Laboratory
• Electron microprobe and electron miscroscopy facility, and taught course in Optical Design, using Code v Software.

*Electron Microprobe *Electron Microscopy Facility *Optical Design (using Code D software)

Collaboration, consultancy and expertise is available in all aspects of the research fields in which the department is active. We very much welcome enquiries and are very open to setting up collaborative projects be they short or long term.