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Home , Abdus Salam, Imperial College Press, Patrick Blackett, T2K experiment, Tejinder Virdee, Thomas Young Centre

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Faculty of Natural 2007 Cover: The cover shows two photographs illustrating the participation of the Imperial High Energy Physics group in the Compact Solenoid (CMS) experiment in CERN, which should start taking data at the Large Collider during the autumn of 2008. The upper picture shows Dr Rob Bainbridge examining the interior of the silicon microstrip tracker, which measures the trajectories of charged particles emerging from each -proton collision. It is the largest detector of its kind ever constructed and the sensors cover an area of over 200m2. Small ionisation signals are produced by charged particles 15,000 silicon sensors, which are segmented into narrow strips typically 80µm wide by 10-20cm long. The lower photograph shows Prof of Imperial College, who is Spokesperson of CMS, standing in front of the exper- iment during its assembly. Behind him can be seen the yoke (red) of the superconducting solenoid magnet, into which are inserted large gaseous drift detectors to measure which penetrate through the interior layers of the detector. In the rear can be seen part of the Forward Hadron Calorimeter which measures energy deposited by hadronic particles, such as and . A large, apparently, missing energy could signal the discovery of a new of nature called . Contents

Preface from the Head of Department 2 Undergraduate Teaching 42

History of the Department 8 Postgraduate Studies 46

Academic Staff group photograph 9 PhD degrees awarded (by research group) 48

General Departmental Information 10 Research Grants Grants obtained by research group 51

Research Groups 11 Technical Development, Intellectual Property 53 and Commercial Interactions (by research group) Astrophysics 12 Academic Staff 56 Condensed Matter Theory 15 • Professors Experimental Solid State 18 • Readers • Senior Lecturers High Energy Physics 21 • Lecturers Optics - Laser Consortium 24 • Postdoctoral fellows • Research Associates / Assistants Optics - Photonics 27 • Postgraduate Students • Senior Research Fellows / Investigators Optics - Quantum Optics and Laser 33 • Honorary Research Fellows • Physics 30 Honorary Lecturers • Visiting Professors Space and Atmospheric Physics 36 • Visiting Readers • Visiting Lecturers 39 • Visiting Research Fellows

Administrative and Support Staff 58

1 Preface from the Head of Department

During the 2006-2007 academic year lectures, the Blackett Lecture, titled of the Physical Society of in celebrated ‘The Big Questions in 1873 and a later President (1884), the Centenary of its foundation and and Cosmology’ on 13th November was during the period 1868 to1886 embraced its new status as an 2007 in the Great Hall. He provided Professor of Physics at the Royal independent university with a new an enthralling overview of the most School of Mines (Jermyn Street then Royal Charter bestowed during the important open questions in particle Exhibition Rd) and subsequently at Queen’s visit on 9th July. Our three physics and how they may be its successor institutions the Nobel Laureate Lectures, each named addressed by experiment: The origin Metropolitan School of Science and in recognition of the Physics Nobel of particle masses, the small difference the Normal School of Science. The winners who have graced our staff between matter and , and latter eventually became the Royal (G.P. Thomson, and how to unify the fundamental forces. College of Science and in turn ) provided a strong Professor Ellis’ talk very much merged with the Royal School of focus for departmental festivities. increased the growing sense of Mines and the City and Guilds Professor (University anticipation in the run up to the start Institute to form the Imperial College of California, Santa Barbara) delivered of data collection at the Large of Science and Technology in 1907. an entertaining and insightful Thomson Hadron Collider in CERN. Lecture on 5th July 2007 in the Great New College-wide interdisciplinary Hall. Professor Nakamura won the In addition to being the centenary of centres inaugurated during the year 2006 Millenium Prize for his invention Imperial College, 2007 marked the included the Centre and development of gallium-nitride 90th anniversary of our Optics Section (TYC) and the Grantham Institute for based blue LEDs and lasers and (now comprising elements of the Climate Change. The TYC is the talked about his discovery research Experimental Solid State Physics London centre for theory and at the Nichia Chemical Company, (EXSS) Group’s research with that simulation of materials, an initiative the applications of the technology in of the Photonics (PHOT) and Quantum chaired by Mike Finnis (Condensed energy efficient lighting and displays Optics and Laser Science (QOLS) Matter Theory (CMTH) Group) and and for water sterilisation and the Groups). Its progenitor, the Department involving colleagues from across scientific and technological challenges of Technical Optics was set up in London (Imperial, Kings, Queen Mary faced to extend the emission colour 1917 in recognition of a need to re- and UCL). The TYC was launched into the green part of the visible establish home grown expertise in a with an opening event in the Fleming spectrum. The Salam Lecture (7th strategically important topic. An Optics Building on 10th November 2006 at July 2007), titled ‘Salam and the 90 celebration, opened by Faculty which Professor Michele Parinello Grand View of Physics’ was given by Principal Sir Peter Knight, was For.Mem.Roy.Soc. (ETH, Zurich) Physics Nobel Laureate Professor organised on September 6th with spoke on “Simulating Complexity: Gerard ’t Hooft (University of Utrecht) three overviews (by Heads of Group Challenges and Progress in Atomistic as part of a Salam +50 Day commem- Jon Marangos, Paul French and Materials Science Simulations”. The orating Salam’s arrival at Imperial Gareth Parry) and six talks from Grantham Institute, funded by a College as a Professor of Theoretical internal (Martin Plenio, Roy Taylor generous grant from the Grantham Physics. The Day coincided with and me) and external (Professors Foundation for the Protection of the the end of a highly successful 13th Paul Corkum (NRC Canada), Chris Environment provides a focus for International Symposium on Particles, Dainty (NUI Galway) and Martin Imperial College Research in climate Strings and Cosmology (PASCOS- Dawson (Institute of Photonics, change, covering four research 07) hosted by the Department’s Strathclyde)) speakers covering themes: (i) earth systems science, Theory Group and provided a public some of the extensive interests of (ii) vulnerable ecosystems and human celebration of the life and works of the three groups, namely quantum welfare, (iii) sustainable futures, and the Department’s most recent Nobel information, quantum control, fibre (iv) risks, extremes and irreversible Laureate. It brought members of lasers, adaptive optics, plastic change. In the first allocation of Salam’s family, many friends from optoelectronics and GaN-based funding by the Grantham Institute around the world and the UK semiconductor sources. PhD studentship support was allocated High Commissioner to the Fleming Another celebratory event during the to Jenny Nelson (EXSS) and Ralf Building and provided a fascinating year was the 600th Physical Society Toumi (Space and Atmospheric insight into his career and achieve- Club dinner hosted by the Department Physics Group (SPAT)). ments, including his pivotal role in the at 170 Queens Gate on 16th March International Centre for Theoretical 2007. Holding the event at Imperial A major highlight of the year was the Physics at . Professor John College recognised the College’s election of David Wark (High Energy Ellis FRS (CERN Theory Group) close links with the Society. Professor Physics (HEP) Group) to Fellowship presented the third of our festival Frederick Guthrie, one of the founders of the Royal Society. David was

2 honoured for his outstanding contri- phere. The 2007 IOP Thomas Young business plan. Russell and his start- butions to physics, including Medal and Prize was awarded to Roy up company, Ingenia Technology, the demonstration that the Taylor (PHOT) for his contributions also won the 2006 Global Security neutrino has mass. His election to the development of modern solid- Challenge “Best Start up in Security”, brought the number of Fellows in the state lasers, including the pioneering were runners up in the Small Times Department to 11, the largest number of lasers that generate ultrashort Magazine Best of Small Tech we have ever had. The Royal Society pulses of light that can help under- Researcher of the Year Award (2006), also supported two new Wolfson stand how light travels along optical won a Red Herring 100 Europe Merit Awards, given to Adrian Sutton fibres. Initially Roy’s research was Award (2007) and together with FRS (2006) (CMTH) and Paul French focused on telecommunication uses Bayer Technical Services won a (2007) (PHOT) in recognition of their but additional applications have 2007 Hermes Award at the Hannover outstanding contributions, respectively, been developed in extremely high- Fair in recognition of their newly to the theory and simulation of materials resolution imaging through human launched product Protexxion that is and the development of robust, tissue and in full-colour projection based on the laser surface scanning compact, and widely tunable ultrafast systems. Jim Virdee (HEP) was process so memorably demonstrated laser sources and imaging systems chosen to be the 2007 recipient of by Russell in his inaugural lecture. for biomedical applications. We now the IOP HEPP Group Prize for both The Council of European Aerospace have seven Wolfson Merit Award his leadership of the CERN Large Societies awarded its Gold Medal holders in the Department. The Hadron Collider Compact Muon (2007) to David Southwood (SPAT) £250,000 Royal Society Brian Mercer Solenoid detector and his in recognition of his ‘outstanding Award for Innovation 2007 was contributions to the associated contribution to Europe's space awarded to John de Mello (Chemistry) science. Kelly Stelle (Theory (THEO) programmes that have allowed and me to support a programme to Group) was awarded a Humboldt Europe to become a world player in develop new plastic electronics Research Award for major contribu- space exploration'. David is currently nanofabrication techniques potentially tions to String Theory, an award that Director of Science at the European compatible with high throughput provided the resource for him to Space Agency. Sir John Pendry’s manufacturing processes. In addition, spend an extended period as a (CMTH) entry for the Times Higher Stuart Mangles from our Plasma visitor in . Danny Segal Education Supplement’s Research Physics (PLAS) Group received a (coordinator), Sir Peter Knight (both Project of the Year 2006 was Highly Royal Society University Research QOLS) and colleagues in the EU Commended by the judges and he Fellowship and Ingo Müller-Wodarg Framework Five (FP V) QGates appeared within the annual Scientific (SPAT) had his University Research quantum information processing and American 50 list of the most influ- Fellowship extended for a further communication team were recog- ential individuals in science, in both three years. Peter Cargill (SPAT) nized as finalists in the 2007 EU cases the result of his pioneering took part in the Royal Society Summer Descartes Prize competition. work in metamaterials. Professor Science Exhibition 2007 within a Steven Rose (PLAS) and colleagues team led by Dr Lucie Green from the Russell Cowburn (EXSS) won the were awarded the 2007 Daiwa-Adrian Mullard Space Science Laboratory inaugural Degussa Science to Prize for a joint UK-Japanese project presenting the UK’s solar physics Business Award (2006) for his work entitled “High Energy Density contribution to the International on nanostructured magnetic logic Science: New Frontiers in Plasma Heliophysical Year. elements for memory devices. This Physics”. The winning collaboration new European-wide award seeks to was led by Professors Peter Norreys This year proved no exception in stimulate and encourage the transfer from the Central Laser Facility, relation to the award of prizes to our of excellent science into business Rutherford Appleton Laboratory staff. The 2007 IOP Chree Medal opportunities and candidates had to (Visiting Professor in PLAS) and and Prize was awarded to Michele write a proposal that explained the Ryosuke Kodama of Osaka Dougherty (SPAT) for her work on science they are doing and how it University, Japan. the Cassini mission, particularly for could be transitioned into a business. the discovery of a dynamic and exotic Candidates had also to be 35 or The inaugural Imperial College atmosphere around Enceladus, one younger in order to be eligible. The Research Excellence Awards recog- of Saturn's icy . The initial Award was sponsored by Degussa nized the interdisciplinary Molecular results from the Cassini (the largest speciality chemicals Electronic Materials and Devices team, led by Michele, allowed them to company in the world), INSEAD (the team (Donal Bradley, Jenny Nelson, initiate a low level flyby of Enceladus, leading French Business School) Ray Murray, Thomas Anthopoulos, at a distance of 173 km, that enabled and Handelsblatt (the German Paul Stavrinou, Mariano Campoy- the team’s instruments to observe equivalent of the Financial Times). Quiles, Lichun Chen, Xuhua Wang, the geysers or plumes emanating Russell received a striking trophy, a Ruidong Xia (EXSS, Physics) and from cracks in the ’s icy surface prize of 100,000 euro, and the offer James Durrant, Andrew de Mello, at the south pole that create the of business training and consultancy John de Mello, and Saif Haque previously undiscovered atmos- from INSEAD to help develop a (Chemistry)), providing £150,000

3 towards the cost of new equipment International Spokesperson for the the Department in the ISI Highly for blue skies research. The award T2K project that will fire Cited lists for Physics and Space was presented formally during the from the new Japanese laboratory at Sciences. postgraduate award ceremony in the Tokai on the west coast of Japan to Royal Albert Hall on 8th May 2007. the Super-Kamiokande detector 300 Changes that occurred in our A Rector’s Excellence Award for km away at Kamioka on the east academic staff compliment during Mentoring (2006) was given to Jenny coast. There is also strong Imperial the year include the arrival of Dr Ji- Nelson (EXSS) on the recommen- College Physics representation Seon Kim, who transferred her dation of many of her current and within the new committees of the EPSRC Advanced Fellowship from former students and postdocs and in Science and Technology Facilities the in recognition of the outstanding support Council with Sir Peter Knight (QOLS) Cambridge and took up a lectureship she has provided in guiding their Chair of the Science Committee, (EXSS) in the molecular electronic research and advising them on Jordan Nash (HEP) Deputy Chair of materials and devices research area. career development opportunities. the Particle Physics Astronomy and Amihay Hanany, with research Nuclear Committee, Steve Rose interests in String theory, joined the Other recognition for our staff came (PLAS) a member of the Physical THEO group from MIT to take up a from a great many invitations to and Life Sciences Committee, Tim Readership and Joao Magueijo speak at international conferences Horbury (SPAT) Chair of the Solar (THEO) returned from his leave of and worshops and to deliver named Studies and Solar Terrestrial Physics absence at the Perimeter Institute in lectures. In the latter category, Adrian sub-panel of the Astronomy Grants Canada. Four Research Councils Sutton (CMTH) gave the Maxwell Panel and Andrew Jaffe (Astrophysics UK Academic Fellowships were Lecture (Kings College London) Group (ASTRO)) a member of the awarded to the Department and (2007) and the Hume Rothery Lecture Peer Review Panel. Sir enabled the recruitment of four () (2007). Peter Knight also chairs the Defence lecturers: Paul Tangney (From Scientific Advisory Council (DSAC). Berkeley) and Arash Mostofi (from Postdoctoral Research Fellowships MIT) took up joint appointments awarded during the year include Research text books written by our between the Department of Materials EPSRC Fellowships to James staff, including Kim Christensen and the CMTH group, Thomas Kirkpatrick (EXSS) and Alex Retzker (CMTH) and Nicholas Moloney’s Anthopoulos (EPSRC Advanced (QOLS) and PPARC Fellowships to “Complexity and Criticality” (Imperial Fellow) took a lectureship in EXSS, James Bedford (THEO) and Cesar College Press), Jenny Nelson’s and Alex Sheckochihin (who trans- Bertucci (SPAT). Mariano Campoy- (EXSS) “The Physics of Solar Cells” ferred a PPARC Advanced Fellowship Quiles (EXSS) was awarded a (), and Stefan from the Department of Applied Japan Society for the Promotion of Maier’s (EXSS) “Plasmonics: and Theoretical Physics Science Postdoctoral Fellowship to Fundamentals and Applications” in Cambridge) took up a lectureship spend six months at JAIST in (Springer Verlag) are attracting in the PLAS group. The Theory and Kanagawa, Japan and Marina Galand strong interest with Stefan’s book Simulation of Materials initiative that (SPAT) won an Imperial College placed in the top twenty best selling secured the appointment of Paul and Elsie Widdowson Fellowship. In physics books in 2007. Other publi- Arash also led to the recruitment of addition, an EPSRC Advanced cations making a splash included Peter Haynes (who transferred a Fellowship was awarded to Simon the Nature Materials paper “A strong Royal Society University Research Bland (PLAS) and Geoff New (QOLS) regioregularity effect in self-organ- Fellowship from the Cavendish was awarded a Leverhulme Emeritus ising conjugated polymer films and Laboratory, Cambridge) to a joint Fellowship to continue his research high efficiency plastic solar cells” by Readership between CMTH and post-retirement. Mike Damzen and Kim, Nelson, Bradley (EXSS) et al Materials. Three further posts were Martin McCall (both PHOT) were (selected as a Thomson Essential created following our successful elected Fellows of the Optical Science Indicators Fast Breaking bids for EPSRC Science and Society of America. Paper) and Sir John Pendry’s (CMTH) Innovation Awards in Nanometrology Science papers “A Chiral Route to (EXSS joint with Chemistry, Materials Representative roles undertaken by Negative Refraction” (selected as a and UCL) and Quantum Coherence the Department include Michael Thomson ESI Emerging Research (QOLS joint with Oxford and Rowan-Robinson’s Presidency of Fronts article) and “Controlling Cambridge). Stefan Maier was the Royal Astronomical Society. Electromagnetic Fields” (selected as appointed to a Readership in EXSS Gareth Parry (EXSS) continues as a a Thomson ESI Hot Paper in Physics). from the University of Bath, to initiate member of the Rank Optoelectronics In addition, Andre Balogh (SPAT) an experimental programme in Prize Committee within which he was identified by Science Watch plasmonics and metamaterials. organises Rank Prize meetings and (Thomson ISI) as the fifth most-cited Leszek Frasinski arrived from Reading assists in the selection of Rank author in Geosciences over the University as a new Professor in the Prize award winners. David Wark period 1996-2007. Julia Sedgbeer QOLS group and Misha Ivanov was (HEP) was elected to act as the (HEP) joined six other colleagues in also appointed to a QOLS chair,

4 with a phased start to allow transfer (SPAT) as Senior Tutor. Bob set an Ms Caroline Treacey, our Departmental of activity from the NRC in Canada. outstanding example over his six- Administrator resigned in order to Jon Marangos (Head of QOLS) was year tenure in relation to student move back to Ireland to take up a appointed to the vacant Lockyer Chair welfare and support and was univer- senior research management position (previously held by Jean-Patrick sally acclaimed for his many other at University College Dublin and the Connerade) named after spectro- contributions across the full remit of Head of Department’s Office was scopist Sir J. Norman Lockyer who this pivotal position. His reward, apart reorganised with Linda Jones taking predicted the existence of the element from the undying gratitude of a great up a dual role (Department and Helium from observations of the many of our students, is that he can Faculty) as Departmental Operations solar spectrum and founded (1869) now enjoy a year-long sabbatical Manager and Faculty Senior and edited (for 50 years) the scien- leave to focus on his research Projects Manager, supported by tific journal Nature. In HEP, we interests. Julia Sedgbeer (HEP) in Louise Hayward who moved across appointed David Colling to a turn replaced Ray Murray as Exams from Faculty. Jenny Nelson (EXSS) Lectureship with a focus on grid Officer. Several Heads of Group took over the Departmental Careers computing research and Jaroslaw came to the end of their tenure, with Advisor role from Vivien Moore. Pasternak (LPSC Grenoble) to a Paul Nandra succeeding Michael David Gentry moved to take on the Lectureship in accelerator science Rowan-Robinson in ASTRO, Jordan role of Faculty Safety Manager with (joint with the Rutherford Appleton Nash taking over from Peter Dornan special responsibility for the Laboratory). Chris Dunsby was in HEP, Jo Haigh following in Peter Departments of Physics and appointed to a joint Lectureship Cargill’s footsteps in SPAT and Steve Mathematics. In addition to this between PHOT and the Histopathology Rose taking the helm in PLAS. restructuring, the Research Department (Medical School). Steve Michael Rowan-Robinson and Peter Assessment Exercise also kept us Rose (formerly William Penney Dornan had clocked up fourteen all very busy in the run up to the Professor of Plasma Physics at years of service each by the time paperwork submission deadline in Oxford) joined the PLAS group as they handed over the reins. For those November 2007. Professor and Head of Group, taking Heads of Group stepping down over from Sergey Lebedev who had during the year the Department is Academic staff retirements during been acting Head of Group since delighted to acknowledge a debt of the year included Chris Guy (EXSS), Karl Krushelnick’s move to the gratitude for the many contributions Jean-Patrick Connerade (QOLS) University of Michigan. Roger Evans that they have made during their and Vivienne Moore (SPAT). Those was subsequently appointed to a period of tenure. The leadership leaving us to take up academic Professorship in PLAS jointly funded contributions made by the Heads of positions at other institutions during by the Culham Laboratory. In ASTRO Group provide a key component of the year included David Britton (HEP) three new lecturers were appointed departmental governance and we who moved to a chair in Glasgow to start in 2008. Appointments were look forward to the contributions our University, Janet Drew (ASTRO) to a also confirmed for EPSRC Advanced new Group Heads will make in the chair in the University of Hertfordshire, Fellow Paul Stavrinou (as Senior coming years. and Gregorios Itskos (EXSS) and Lecturer in EXSS) and PPARC Andrew Ho (CMTH) to Lectureships in Advanced Fellow Elizabeth Lucek An administrative development has Physics at the University of Cyprus (as Lecturer in SPAT). We also been the establishment of support and Royal Holloway University of welcomed a number of new adminis- clusters for some of the research London, respectively. In addition, Ann trative and technical staff, including groups, a move that has proven to Thomson (SPAT Secretary), David Bowler (Mechanical be highly successful. The OPTICS Christine Knight (Editorial Assistant Workshop Technician), Dilly Osbahr administration cluster for the QOLS for the Journal of Modern Optics) (ASTRO Administrator), Celia Perry and PHOT groups provided a model and Brian Scobie (Technician) all (EXSS/CMTH Administrative Assistant), for this change. The larger team that retired from our administrative and Lilian Wanjohi (QOLS/PHOT (OPTICS) results from clustering allows some technical staff during the year and Deputy Administrator), Karen Lewis more senior appointments to be made Diana Moore (ASTRO Administrator), (SPAT Senior Group Administrator), and offers a more comprehensive Caroline Jones (QOLS/PHOT and Deborah Greek (Undergraduate support structure to academic staff Administrator) and Collins Osei Secretary). Vivienne Frater joined in respect of advice on recruitment, (Undergraduate Secretary) left the the Department as Facilities Manager accounts, grant proposal preparation Department for other employment. in succession to Judith Baylis who and submission and other aspects moved to be the OPTICS Senior of College research and grants, HR The annual alumni weekend (15th Group Administrator. and finance policy. The Department and 16th September) saw a large continues to strongly support the group of former students and their The latest changes within the development of its administrative families visit the Physics Department. management structure of the and technical staff through a range They were able to catch up with how Department saw Ray Murray of training initiatives. the Department now runs thanks to (EXSS) take over from Bob Forsyth two informative talks by Gareth

5 Parry (EXSS), addressing the student Singapore and DAMTP (Cambridge) 2007. HEP student Tim Scanlon experience from recruitment to delivered an after dinner speech won the tenth URA Thesis Award for graduation and providing an overview highlighting Sir Peter’s many contri- students working on the DO project at of some aspects of our research butions to Quantum Optics. Fermilab and Theodoros Christoudias programme. Following a wide- won a Levantis Foundation Scholarship ranging discussion, Gareth and I Two inaugural lectures were given and FNAL International Student then conducted guided tours around during the year: Russell Cowburn Fellowship. Nick Harrigan (QOLS) the undergraduate and selected (EXSS) spoke on “Nanotechnology: won NESTA FameLab 2007 (a research laboratories, enjoying the Challenging Chips and Crime” (10th national competition to "discover the enthusiastic questioning of our Jan 2007) and Steve Schwartz new voices of UK science and guests. Louise Hayward (Head of (SPAT) on “Shocks in Space” (30th engineering"), presenting an expla- Department’s office) oversaw organ- May 2007). Both provided lively and nation of how microwave ovens work isation of the event. Sir John Pendry informative overviews of their research in the live final at the Cheltenham (CMTH) and Ralf Toumi (SPAT) and were followed by traditional food Science Festival. Nick wins a prize presented two of the key-note talks and refreshments receptions in the of £2000, a 2-week internship with offered to attendees from across the level eight common room. Our Channel 4, and will undertake a tour whole of College, focusing on their inaugural lecture programme provides of international events reprising his research concerning metamaterials an excellent forum for collegial winning presentation. Finally, Theory and uncertainties in climate change. exchange of scientific ideas and group student Joao Madeiros won Alumni in the news over the concepts and also a wonderful social second prize in the New Scientist centenary year include Professor occasion for family and friends to Essay Competition. The Department Winston Wong (BSc 1971, MSc celebrate the success of staff received an extremely positive rating 1972), President and CEO of Grace appointed/promoted to professor- in the European Graduate Programme T.H.W. Group (Taiwan) who received ships in the department. ranking assessment carried out by one of Imperial College’s first honorary the German Centre for Higher degrees during the Queen’s visit on SRIF funds were awarded for a Education Development (CHE). CHE 9th July. Dr Mike Lee and Mrs Ann much-needed refurbishment and ranked departments in Physics, Lee who have endowed the Lee- upgrade of the Mechanical Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics Lucas Chair of Instrumentation Facility and work in four areas (publications, citations, were also in attendance at the visit. started in January 2007. On completion highly cited scientists and participation in 2008 the Department will have a in EU activities) and Another celebration during the year state of the art facility capable of awarded “medals” for each category was the Michael Rowan-Robinson supporting even the most ambitious (gold, silver, bronze). We were the (ASTRO) 65th birthday Fest “From research requirements. The level 8 only physics department in Europe IRAS to Herschel-Planck” organised common room was completely to come out with four gold medals. by Paul Nandra, Steve Warren and redecorated and a new carpet and Andrew Jaffe and held at the Royal furniture installed. The corridors on We also saw two of our graduating Astronomical Society from 7th to 9th Level 5 (HEP) were similarly given a undergraduate students being July. The event was capped off with complete overhaul. As a conse- awarded Outstanding Achievement a celebration dinner in the College quence of funding within the EPSRC Awards by the College. Melissa SCR. Professor George Efstathiou Science and Innovation Award in Daly (BSc in Physics with Studies in (Cambridge Institute of Astronomy) Quantum Coherence and additional Musical Performance, our joint gave an entertaining after dinner SRIF funding we will be able to degree with the Royal College of speech and a number of Michael’s create new optics laboratories in the Music), who also won the Royal colleagues and friends contributed Huxley basement. College of Science Association Prize, reminiscences that added much to was recognised for her outstanding the occasion. The QOLS group A number of PhD students have achievements in both music and organised, under Jens Eisert’s received awards and prizes during physics. Jad Marouche (MSci Physics) leadership, the , Atoms and the year. Stuart Mangles won the combined the final year of his degree Qubits conference (PAQ ’07) at the 2006 IOP Culham Thesis Prize and with the role of President of the Royal Society (2nd – 5th September) Philip Nilson the 2007 IOP Culham Union and including a special dinner event on Thesis Prize (the fifth award to our still found time to launch the new the Thames to celebrate Sir Peter Plasma Physics group in the six years Science Challenge competition that Knight’s 60th birthday. The conference since this prize was first awarded). proceeded with outstanding success was attended by many prominent Alec Thomas won the 2007 EPS to a glittering finale prize giving at speakers from around the world, Plasma Physics Division PhD the Ritz. The other prizes awarded including Physics Nobel Laureates Research Prize, Stuart Mangles won to our undergraduate students are Professors Claude Cohen-Tannoudji the 2007 John Dawson Thesis Prize recorded in the undergraduate and Roy Glauber. Professor Artur and Alex Robinson won the IOP teaching section of this report. Ekert from the National University of Computational Physics Thesis Prize Congratulations are also due to

6 PhySoc, led this year by Lottie Holmes, Finally, our undergraduate recruitment for the continued success of the during the year went extremely well annual Big Day of Physics (‘Einstein and produced a class of 238 new Day’) held on 10th March and students for the 2007-08 intake, all attended by some 120 school of whom have at least 3As at A-level children. The Department is also or equivalent. The team led by delighted to record its thanks to all Admissions Tutor Gareth Parry, ably of our student Year Representatives supported by Mery Farjado, have and the undergraduate Departmental done an excellent job in providing us Representative Daniel Burrows for with a bumper intake of highly their excellent contributions to the qualified and motivated students. staff-student committee and for more generally ensuring a most effective Donal Bradley student input to the department’s June 2008 activities.

As last year, the Department’s nominees for Imperial College Teaching Excellence Awards were successful with Drs Danny Segal (QOLS) and Tim Horbury (SPAT) recognised for their outstanding contributions.

7

Physics Staff Photograph

9 General Departmental Information

Head of Department Associate Head of Department Operations Manager Professor D. D. C. Bradley FRS Dr K. Weir Ms. L. Jones Tel: 020 7594 7500 Tel: 020 7594 7501 Tel: 020 7594 7502 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected]

PA to Head of Department: Senior Administrator: Ms. Louise Hayward Ms. Kalvinder Chana Tel: 020 7594 7503 Tel: 020 7594 6113 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected]

Fax: 020 7594 7504

Undergraduate Teaching

Director of Undergraduate Studies Senior Tutor (Undergraduates) Admissions Tutor (Undergraduates) Professor R. C. Thompson Professor R. Murray Professor G. Parry FREng Tel: 020 7594 7505 Tel: 020 7594 7524 Tel: 020 7594 7513 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected]

Administrator Admissions Administrator Mr. Andrew Knight Mery Farjardo Tel: 020 7594 7506 Tel: 020 7594 7513 e-mail:[email protected] Email:[email protected]

Schools Liaison Officer Dr J. Hassard Tel: 020 7594 7792 Fax: 020 7823 8830 Fax: 020 7594 7777 e-mail: [email protected]

Postgraduate Studies

Director of Postgraduate Studies Development officer (Postgraduates) Postgraduate enquiries: Professor L. Cohen Dr. A. Williamson Postrgraduate Administrator Tel: 020 794 7598 Tel: 020 7594 7631 Loli Sanchez Fax: 020 7594 7777 e-mail: Tel: 020 7594 7512 e-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Fax: 020 7594 7777 e-mail: [email protected] MSc Prospective postgraduate students interested in admission for an MSc course should contact: Dr. A. Williamson Tel: 020 7594 7631, e-mail: [email protected] Fax: 020 7594 7777 MSc in Optics and Photonics Course director: Dr. K. Weir MSc in Physics Course director: Prof. R. A.Smith MSc in Quantum Fields and Fundamental Forces Course director: Prof. J. Halliwell

PhD Those interested in admission for doctoral level research leading to the PhD degree should contact the Heads of Research Groups in subject areas of interest as listed opposite. The Director of Postgraduate Studies will be glad to advise on all general matters concerning the requirements for admission as a postgraduate student.

10 Research Groups

Astrophysics Head of Group: Professor K. Nandra Group Administrator: Dilly Osbahr Tel: 020 7594 5785, e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 020 7594 7531 Fax: 020 7594 7541

Condensed Matter Theory Experimental Solid State Physics and Condensed Matter Head of Group: Professor A. P. Sutton FRS Theory Cluster Tel: 020 7594 7540, e-mail: [email protected] Senior Group Administrator: Carolyn Dale e-mail: [email protected] Experimental Solid State Physics Tel: 020 7594 7579 Fax: 020 7594 2077 Head of Group: Professor G. Parry FREng Tel: 020 7594 4693, e-mail: [email protected]

High Energy Physics Group Administrator: Paula Brown Head of Group: Professor J. Nash e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 020 7594 7823 Fax: 020 7823 8830 Tel: 020 7594 7808, e-mail: [email protected]

Photonics Head of Group: Professor P. M. W. French Optics Cluster Tel: 020 7594 7706, Senior Group Administrator: Judith Baylis e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 020 7594 7713 Fax: 020 7594 7714 Quantum Optics & Laser Science Head of Group: Professor J. P. Marangos Tel: 020 7594 7857, e-mail: [email protected] Laser Consortium Director: Professor J. P. Marangos Tel: 020 7594 7857, e-mail: [email protected]

Plasma Physics Group Administrator: Sarah Dodman Head of Group: Professor S. J. Rose e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 020 7594 7635, Tel: 020 7594 7657 Fax: 020 7594 7658 e-mail: [email protected]

Space & Atmospheric Physics Senior Group Administrator: Karen Lewis Head of Group: Professor J. D. Haigh e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 020 7594 7679 Fax: 020 7594 7900 Tel: 020 7594 7871, e-mail: [email protected]

Theoretical Physics Group Administrator: Caroline Walker Head of Group: Professor C. M. Hull e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 020 7594 7867, Tel: 020 7594 7843 Fax: 020 7594 7844 e-mail: [email protected]

http://www.imperial.ac.uk/physics

11 Astrophysics http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research/astro Head of Group Professor K. Nandra

The Astrophysics Group combines a broad range of observational, laboratory- based and theoretical research. We have leadership roles and major involvement in some of the highest- profile projects and facilities, including Chandra, Herschel, JCMT, LISA- Pathfinder, Planck, Spitzer, UKIDSS, XMM-Newton and the ZEPLIN Dark Figure 1: Artists’ impressions of Planck (left) and Herschel (right). matter search. A major development in 2007 was the outcome of ESA’s propagating ripples in spacetime. The allowed us to examine the power “Cosmic Vision” 2015-2025 process. group is involved in both the prediction sources behind some of the dustiest Astrophysics group members are and detection of Gravitational objects in the universe, showing that heavily involved in the successful Radiation from cosmological and star formation, rather than a super- SPICA and XEUS proposals, as well astrophysical sources. We are predicting massive , is responsible as LISA, all of which now enter study the signal due to binary supermassive for their luminosity. We also find and technology development phases. Black Holes residing at the centres they have a more diverse range of of galaxies as they are built up over properties and redshifts than Cosmology and Extragalactic time, giving a signature of the history generally claimed. Astrophysics of structure formation in the universe A. Jaffe, K. Nandra, M. Rowan- over many billons of years. These The Group has played a significant Robinson, S. Warren, Babbedge, signals will eventually be observable role in the Japanese Akari satellite G. Bendo, A. Chamballu, P. Chanial, by the LISA satellite, to be launched all-sky survey and we expect the D. Clements, P. T. Dineen, in the next decade by NASA and first major results to be released in A. Georgakakis, E. Laird, B. May, ESA, which has strong Imperial the next year. Preparations for ESA’s D. Mortlock, D. Novikov, D. Rizzo, participation for hardware, theory and Herschel mission (Fig. 1, right), due M.Trichas data analysis. for launch in late 2008, continue and we are strongly involved in several Cosmic Backgrounds Far Infrared and Submillimetre extragalactic surveys amounting to a The Cosmic Microwave Background Astronomy total of 1500 hours of time (over 15% (CMB) gives us a snapshot of the The Group is a major partner in the of the total available during Herschel’s state of the Universe 400,000 years largest NASA Spitzer Legacy Program, 3 year life). David Clements is a Co- after the Big Bang, when it was much the SWIRE Survey. We have completed Investigator for the proposed ESA hotter, denser and far simpler than a photometric redshift catalogue of contribution to the Japanese SPICA today. This simplicity has allowed over 1 million galaxies and are using mission, a future large far-IR Imperial College astrophysicists to this to study the star formation history satellite observatory. measure the overall curvature of the of the universe, dusty galaxies and Universe, the density of normal matter, quasars, and extreme starburst Michael Rowan-Robinson and Brian and the Hubble Constant (expansion galaxies. George Bendo has continued May (Visiting Researcher) are rate). This year, we have examined to study the interplay between stars, continuing studies of zodiacal dust, CMB data, looking for hints of a non- star formation and dust in nearby including modelling, ground-based trivial topology of the Universe, galaxies within the Spitzer SINGS observations and involvement in the connecting seemingly distant locations. Legacy Program (Fig. 2). Planck zodiacal dust programme. In addition to these and other ongoing campaigns, we are preparing for the We completed a detailed study of X-ray Astronomy analysis of data from ESA's Planck submillimetre galaxies in the SHADES X-ray astronomy at Imperial has Surveyor mission (Fig. 1, left), due submm survey. Combining Spitzer experienced one of its most exciting for launch in 2008, which will allow us SWIRE and submillimetre data has and productive years. Our research to begin to probe the epoch of cosmic inflation believed to occur in the first microseconds after the Big Bang.

Another crucial prediction of General Relativity is Gravitational Radiation, Figure 2: Images from the Spitzer SINGS Legacy Program.

12 Looking forward to the next phase we led a proposal to the EU for ELIXIR, a design study within Framework 7 for a tonne-scale xenon dark matter facility. In this proposal we were joined by new groups from Switzerland Figure 3: Chandra X-ray image of the Extended Groth Strip. Newly approved and Spain. Chandra observations in 2007 will take the total exposure in this field to 3.4 million seconds, making this Chandra’s largest Guest Observer project. Gravitational Wave Astronomy covers two main strands, X-ray studies of Mrk 841 and MCG-5-23- The manufacture of the flight Charge surveys of the distant universe, and 16, respectively. A final highlight was Management System (CMS) for the extreme environments around black the discovery, with Kazushi Iwasawa LISA Pathfinder technology precursor holes in Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN). (MPE) of a heavily obscured, Compton satellite to gravitational wave science thick AGN in IRAS 00182-7112, one mission, LISA, of ESA is almost Our main focus at high redshift is of the most luminous galaxies in the complete (Fig. 5). This has followed AEGIS, a multiwavelength survey of universe. on from Engineering Models of the the Extended Groth Strip, one of the Experimental Astrophysics CMS developed by ICL for ESA. deepest surveys anywhere in the sky. This system is required by LISA to At Imperial we lead AEGIS-X, the deep T. J. Sumner, H. Araujo, J. J. Quenby, control the charge build-up on the Chandra survey of the region, with G. K. Rochester, B. Edwards, isolated proof-masses, which form our main emphasis being on the D. Hollington, M. Horn, V. Lebedenko, the mirrors for the large baseline properties, evolution and host galaxies F. Neves (Visiting Researcher), interferometry between the three of AGN (Fig. 3). 2007 was a pivotal M. Schulte, D. Shaul, N. J. T. Smith spacecraft in the constellation. year in the project, with a special (Visiting Professor), C. Thorne, A. Tang, Charge build-up is caused by cosmic- issue of the Astrophysical Journal C. Trenkel, R. Walker, S. Waschke. ray impacts on the spacecraft and Letter devoted entirely to the first proof-masses. Analyses at ICL (funded AEGIS results. This included 8 papers Direct Searches for Galactic Dark by ESA) of the way in which the charge using the X-ray dataset, detailing the Matter: The ZEPLIN-II experiment is deposited, using showed properties of X-ray selected AGN host (Fig. 4, left) was completed success- that this effect is more severe than galaxies z~1, and their large-scale fully, leading to the publication of a previously thought. A detailed modelling structure environments, and fascinating significant result in the search for of the performance of the charge individual objects in the AEGIS field. signatures of exotic dark matter management system was done In July 2007 we were awarded an particles. This was the first result including a number of subsystems, additional 1.8Ms of Chandra time to from a two-phase xenon system, a including our lamps providing the image part of the AEGIS field to even technique which we pioneered. The photons, their delivery from a fibre deeper limits. Combined with our focus is now on ZEPLIN-III (Fig. 4, optic bundle and finally how the previous 1.4Ms allocation this now right), built at Imperial College, which photons release from makes the AEGIS X-ray survey is now operational in our under- surfaces and how these in turn are Chandra’s largest project, and one ground laboratory at Boulby. After moved from place to place by electric of the largest astronomical surveys successful transport and recommis- fields. STFC funding supports ICL in ever undertaken. sioning stages, the instrument was providing the LISA-PF European calibrated and is nearly ready to start flight CMS. This is being done in Our studies of nearby active galaxies acquiring dark matter data in fully- consultation with Astrium UK and have been the first systematic study shielded mode. ZEPLIN-III is signifi- Astrium Germany who are respon- of iron line emission in a significant cantly more advanced than either its sible for the overall satellite provision sample of AGN observed by XMM- predecessor or other xenon-based to ESA. Theoretical work on cosmic Newton. This has shown robust rivals around the world, and this background gravitational radiation evidence for broad, accretion disk technology now effectively dominates has been undertaken to assess the emission in a large fraction of the the world-scene in terms of sensitivity. likelihood that LISA will be able to sample near-ubiquitous narrow With ZEPLIN-III we will be able to emission probably from an obscuring explore a significant part of the torus. We also completed two detailed parameter space favoured by current studies of the iron K emission of the theoretical models. The IC group Seyfert galaxy Mrk 335, showing leads a 30-strong collaboration with accretion disk emission, narrow STFC/RAL, Univ. of Edinburgh, LIP- components and, possibly, evidence Coimbra (Portugal) and ITEP-Moscow Figure 4: The left-hand panel shows for gas infalling onto the central black (Russia) and has formal responsibility ZEPLIN-II installed within its shield and hole. With Pierre-Olivier Petrucci for two work-packages apart from active veto in the Boulby mine (Grenoble) and Valentina Braito the project leadership. laboratory. The right-hand panel shows (NASA/GSFC) we completed similar the ZEPLIN-III instrument now being calibrated at Boulby.

13 this. Instead, we find that much of the IR flux originates in IR echoes i.e. re- radiation of the supernova flux by dust in the progenitor wind. Thus, it is becoming apparent that the winds of the pre-supernova stars may be signif- icant sources of cosmic dust, rather than the supernovae themselves. This work has been carried out with Figure 5: Inertial Sensor design work for LISA. On the left is a CAD model of the UV collaborators at Cornell University, lamp assembly of the flight model of the Charge Management System for the European LISA Test Package (LTP) to be flown on LISA-PF. Photons from the lamps Florida State University, QUB, Spitzer inside the box are fed through a UV fibre optic to the interferometer mirrors. In the Science Center, Stockholm Observatory, middle is a prototype of one of the electronics cards inside the assembly. On the right UC Berkeley, UCL, University of is a titanium vacuum feedthrough, which delivers the UV photons to the inertial sensor. Texas and University of Turku. make observations in this area. The right). At approximately 10 Mio years, results have shown that there are TWA 6 is at an age when circumstellar Surveying the Milky Way in H-alpha some scenarios in which a positive accretion disks should have dissipated, December 2007 saw the initial data detection can be made. and planet formation may have begun. release of the INT Photometric H- Our most important findings are that alpha Survey of the Northern Galactic Galactic Astrophysics TWA 6 shows spots at all latitudes Plane (IPHAS), covering approximately J .E. Drew, L. Lucy, P. Meikle, and rotates essentially as a solid 1600 square degrees, or 90% of the Y. C. Unruh, S. Warren, D. Garcia body. Despite theoretical arguments total survey area. The photometric Alvarez, C. Gerardy, D. Mortlock that it should not show large dipolar catalogue of about 200 million objects magnetic fields, we found evidence is the largest to be made available Cool Brown Dwarfs: One of the aims for magnetically supported coronal through an Astrogrid virtual obser- of the UKIRT Infrared Deep Sky Survey loops with heights of the order of a vatory interface and can be integrated (UKIDSS) is to extend our knowledge couple of stellar radii. At the same straightforwardly with a wide range of the main sequence of stars and time, the largest spotted surface of complementary data. Highlights brown dwarfs to cooler temperatures, regions appear bright in the chromos- resulting from the data-mining of the by the discovery of brown dwarfs in phere, as typically observed on the survey and follow-up observations the remaining unexplored temperature Sun. To our knowledge, this is the were: the detection of the likely range 750K (the temperature of the first time that large-scale and low-lying progenitor of Nova Vul 2007; the first coolest brown dwarf known) to 100K prominences have been observed to new discoveries from systematic (the temperature of Jupiter and Saturn). co-exist. searches for rare interacting binaries; Predictions of their spectra are highly and the production of a catalogue of uncertain, and new spectral classes may Following the launch of SORCE, we roughly 5000 new H-alpha emission emerge. In a search of the first data have carried out the first comparison line stars, increasing the number of release from UKIDSS we discovered a between modelled and observed solar previously known emitters at magni- brown dwarf with an effective temper- irradiance variations spanning the tudes fainter than 13th by an order ature 650K. The object ULAS J0034-00, full visible and NIR spectral range. of magnitude. pictured in Fig. 6 (left), will be used We find excellent agreement between to refine models of the atmospheres 400 and 1300 nm, strengthening the of very cool brown dwarfs. assumption that solar irradiance variations are due to changes in the Stellar Mass Loss solar surface magnetic field only. Since 2003, estimates of mass-loss rates for massive stars have been Supernovae revised downwards to the point that We have continued our programme of they are in conflict with predictions mid-infrared observations of super- Figure 6: (left) Image of ULAS J0034-00, the for radiatively-driven winds. A novae using the Spitzer Space coolest brown dwarf known, with effective mechanism that reduces the Telescope. We have been awarded temperature 650K. The figure combines theoretical rates has been identified. over 180 hours of time, more than a deep optical image near 1 micron, with mid-infrared images at 3 and 4 micron from Two papers describing this work have any other UK-led Spitzer programme. the Spitzer satellite. With these filters stars been published. We have published novel insights into appear blue, and galaxies mostly green, the relationship between supernovae while ULAS J0034-00 appears extremely The Sun and Sun-like Stars and cosmic dust. It has been hypothe- red because of its cool temperature. As part of our programme to map the sised that large amounts of dust (right) Surface image of TWA, a very surfaces of cool stars, we published detected at high redshifts must have young rapidly rotating post T Tauri star. images of TWA 6, a rapid rotator in originated in supernovae. However, The dark patches indicate the location of the TW Hya association (see Fig. 6, we fail to find supporting evidence for cool starspots on the stellar surface.

14 Condensed Matter Theory http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research/cmth Head of Group: structure and the emergence of forces turn out to be proportional to Professor A. P. Sutton, FRS collective network behaviour. the ionic speed but quite strongly Modelling in creativity and music dependent on the initial direction of Our research spans four principal cognition of the fast ion. These results areas: Science of Complexity, Materials are helping us devise methods for Physics, Metamaterials, and Strongly H. J. Jensen, K. Christensen, simulating many far-from-equilibrium Correlated Systems. We are active S. Rahman, J. Bhattacharya processes, including sputtering and in the Thomas Young Centre (TYC) radiation damage. (www.thomasyoungcentre.org) The aim is to explore patterns in brain established in 2006 to coordinate activity that arise when a musician Molecular level simulations of activities among research groups in plays an instrument. The focus is to polymers London who work on the theory and elucidate what happens when creative A. P. Sutton, A. Bailey simulation of materials. Our research on leaps and ingenuity occur, thereby complexity science is carried out in the improving our understanding of The mechanisms of plastic deformation Institute for Mathematical Sciences (IMS) creativity. of glassy polymers are unknown. (www.imperial.ac.uk/mathsinstitute). Materials Physics Conventional molecular dynamics Science of Complexity simulations of plastic deformation are Quantum Mechanical Simulations of unsuitable because the length scales The aim of the Complexity and Networks Non-Adiabatic Processes involved are too large and the available programme at the IMS is to improve time scales are too short. We are our understanding of how complex A. P. Sutton, W. M. C. Foulkes, developing a coarse grained repre- systems work. This is achieved by M. W. Finnis, A. P. Horsfield, sentation of glassy polymers as collaborative studies of examples from D. R. Mason, J. Le Page, C. P. Race inextensible, flexible, elastic, interacting diverse fields including neuroscience, wires to increase both the length evolutionary biology, ecology, epidemi- Most simulations of solids assume that and time scales that we can model. ology and sociology. Much progress the electrons remain in their ground has been made through the application state at all times. This approximation Grain boundaries in strontium titanate of tools from statistical physics. is normally quite accurate but cannot A. P. Sutton, M. W. Finnis, A. Chua, describe the "drag" forces felt by N. Benedek How self-regulatory social systems fast-moving ions as they lose energy work irreversibly to the electrons. By taking As part of an EU-funded Consortium K. Christensen, E. Arcaute account of the electronic excitations called INCEMS (www.mf.mpg.de/ created by moving ions, our simulations INCEMS/) we are carrying out first Most human social systems are overcome this limitation. The drag principles simulations of grain bound- governed by centralised rules that aries in strontium oxide. The configu- generate rigid top-down approaches. rational phase space of the bound- However, in nature systems self- aries is being explored using simple regulate and self-stabilise through interatomic potentials. The results of non-centralised rules. This project our simulations are being compared aims at extracting generic rules from to high resolution electron micro- biological systems that give rise to scope observations of the same self-regulatory dynamics within social boundaries at Oxford University. systems. These rules are being implemented in artificial and human Density functional theory studies of systems to improve their performance radiation damage in FeCr alloys and robustness, and evolve them M. W. Finnis, T. C. P. Klaver, P. Olssen towards sustainability. As part of a theoretical study of alloys Networks Emergence and dynamics Figure 1. Simulating radiation damage. A high energy neutron entering a metal for application in a fusion reactor, we H. J. Jensen, K. Christensen, transfers kinetic energy to ions of the have been exploring the Fe-rich end M. Barahona, F. Turkheimer material. Once set in motion an ion of the Fe-Cr phase diagram, including interacts with other ions and electrons defects induced by irradiation. This The research focuses on network along its path, leaving a trail of damage. alloy is more resistant than most to dynamics. Inspired by functional brain The figure shows atoms that have been damage by high-energy neutrons imaging data, the aim is to develop displaced significantly 100 fs after a which it would meet in the first wall 1keV impact. Inset: irreversible energy theoretical tools to analyse and charac- containing the plasma. The important terise the relationship between network transfer as a function of initial ion direction. processes that control radiation

15 resistance are creation and diffusion of defects, and the rate at which damage heals by diffusion. We have studied energies of interstitials in different configurations. These calculations use local -density functional theory, which provide local variations in magnetic moments. The most stable interstitials are always oriented close to <111> in the iron crystal, and we find quite strong non-pairwise-additive interactions between interstitials and Figure 2: Examples of in situ optimisation of localised orbitals in barium titanate. Top Cr, due to electronic effects. panel (a)-(c): the pseudoatomic orbitals used as initial guesses: (a) p orbital on Ba, (b) Point Defects in Oxides d orbital on Ti and (c) s orbital on O. Bottom panel (d)-(f): the optimised orbitals on the same atoms now reflect the local symmetry. M. W. Finnis, W. M. C. Foulkes, enabled our group to make significant Disorder and Interactions N. D. M. Hine, K. Frensch performance improvements to the code. We are applying ONETEP to A. MacKinnon Technologically important uses of study the macroscopic electrostatic metal oxides such as Al2O3 and TiO2 properties of polar insulators. These Despite 60 years having passed since almost all depend on properties of include ferroelectric materials such as PW Anderson’s seminal paper on point defects such as vacancies and barium titanate (Fig. 2) which are of the “Absence of Diffusion in Certain interstitials. These defects are often great technological interest for non- Random Lattices” the state of the charged and may occur in several volatile computer memory. theory of transport in disordered different charge states depending on systems and, in particular, its First-Principles Simulations of formation conditions. We have carried relationship to experiment is far from Silicon Nanowires out the most sophisticated quantum satisfactory. Numerical simulations mechanical calculations to date of the A. A. Mostofi, M. I. Shelley of non-interacting systems give a formation enthalpies and migration consistent description of the critical energies of charged point defects in Nanowires are quasi-one-dimensional behaviour across a wide range of Al2O3, using the well-tried density- structures with widths of tens of nano- underlying models. Unfortunately it is functional method for systematic metres or less. They have potential not consistent with any experiments. surveys and the slower but more uses in technologies such as solar The obvious missing ingredient in the accurate quantum Monte Carlo and thermoelectric cells (converting theory is the interactions between method for benchmark calculations. light and heat, respectively, into electrons. However, the combination electrical energy), and chemical of disorder and interactions, which Linear-scaling first-principles sensors. Conventional density are two difficult theoretical and calculations functional theory simulations are too computational problems, represents P. D. Haynes, A. A. Mostofi, computationally expensive to explore a formidable challenge for computer N. D. M. Hine, P. Avraam the vast parameter space that interests simulation. Nevertheless some us. With JR Yates at Cambridge and progress has been made: we have First-principles calculations solve the N Marzari at MIT we have developed developed an approach, which Schrödinger equation making as few the WANNIER90 code for calculating combines aspects of the transfer matrix assumptions as possible. Density maximally-localised Wannier functions and renormalisation functional theory balances reasonable (MLWFs). MLWFs are transferable group, with which it is possible to study accuracy with relatively little compu- building blocks of electronic structure the behaviour of transport in asymp- tational effort. However new linear- that provide a real-space description of totically large systems. This overcomes scaling methods are needed to tackle bonding that may be used to construct many of the practical problems systems containing thousands of atoms accurate model Hamiltonians of complex associated with previous approaches, such as proteins and nanostructures. nanostructures. We are using which tended to be limited to systems Collaborating with C-K Skylaris at WANNIER90 to study silicon and which were far too small to yield Southampton we have been developing silicon-germanium nanowires in order to meaningful results. the ONETEP code, which achieves understand the dependence of their Finite temperature simulations of linear scaling without sacrificing electronic structure and transport bulk and nanoscale materials and accuracy by optimising localised properties on composition, growth devices electronic orbitals to suit the chemical direction, shape and radius, to environment of each atom, as shown in enhance their potential technological P. Tangney Fig. 2. An EPSRC grant awarded under impact. the 2007 software development call We are developing accurate for High Performance Computing has atomistic force fields for technologi-

16 cally important ionic (e.g. silicates) and covalent materials (e.g. silicon) to shed light on the structures and thermodynamics of nanostructured and amorphous materials. Understanding the formation of ‘bloom’ in float glass P. Tangney, M. Waters, D. Lesnic, W. E. Lee

Panes of window glass can be prepared by floating liquid soda-lime silica on a bed of molten tin. However, corrosion at the silicate surface can wrinkle it to cause haze. We are Figure 3: Non-contact-mode flattened atomic-force microscopy images of the GaAs combining kinetic Monte Carlo and cap morphology of samples with the indicated misorientations displaying growth by (a) finite-element simulations of diffusion islanding, (b) step flow, (c) incipient step bunching with step pairs, and (d) well- at the silicate surface with Secondary developed step bunching. The step bunched morphology yields optimal transport and Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) to optical properties. understand this phenomenon, which Figure 3(b) shows clear evidence of Strongly correlated systems is known as ‘bloom’. This is a collab- step meandering, which will be the oration with the University of Leeds subject of further study, When we put together a large and Pilkington Glass. collection of atoms or electrons, order Metamaterials may emerge from their complex Self-organization on patterned cooperative behaviour. A central substrates Cloaks of Invisibility challenge in condensed matter physics D. D. Vvedensky, A. L.-S. Chua , A. J. B. Pendry is the question: "how does the sum Zangwill (Georgia Tech), E. Kapon become more than its parts?" These (EPFL), E. Pelucchi (Cork) A celebrated problem in the mathe- "emergent phenomena" can give matics of is rise to new possibilities in the design High-quality III-V quantum wells (QWs) whether it is possible to cover an of new materials and devices. with narrow photoluminescence object with a layer of material such linewidths and high electron mobilities that an external observer could Quantum phases of ultracold atoms are central to device applications. detect neither the object being D. K. K. Lee, O. Garcia Cantu Ros, Recently, Eli Kapon's group has shown hidden nor the cloaking material. T. Duric that substrates with a small misori- The observer may use any external entation produce QWs with excellent magnetic or electric probe. In 2006, Advances in quantum optics have optical and transport properties, with in collaboration with Professor David led to unprecedented control over optimal QW optical and transport Smith of Duke University and also a laser-cooled atomic clouds. The properties observed on surfaces that visiting Professor here at Imperial, observation of Bose condensation at exhibit step bunching (Fig 3). To explain we solved this problem and gave nanokelvin temperatures and the these observations, we have used the prescription for a cloak that subsequent developments in the Burton-Cabrera-Frank-type equations completely hides objects from manipulation of such ultracold atoms for the surface concentrations of electromagnetic probes. This paper have opened up a whole new area polyatomic precursors and of adatoms published in Science together with of interdisciplinary research between to model growth of the surface from the subsequent experimental reali- condensed matter theory and atomic the vapour phase of metal-organic sation of a cloak operating at radar physics. For instance, parallels can molecules. The main result of our frequencies aroused huge interest be drawn between quantum Hall analysis is that the mechanism from the popular press spurred by bilayers and the physics of ultracold responsible for the transition to step images of Harry Potter. Last year, atomic mixtures. In collaboration bunching is the difference in the 2007, we continued the development with Andrew Ho at Royal Holloway molecular decomposition rates at of the cloak showing how it can be , we are steps, which produces a net downhill adapted to screen an object from studying multiband optical lattices current, combined with the decom- quasi static magnetic fields (work where atomic resonances can be position of the precursors on the done in collaboration with our CMEX used to tune the collective behaviour terraces. Without terrace decompo- group). Our latest work adapts the of fermionic atoms to display sition, and in the absence of desorption, theory to cover acoustic waves and different forms of magnetism. our model predicts that step flow is has recently been published in always unstable against step bunching. Physical Review Letters.

17 Experimental Solid State Physics http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research/exss Head of Group: gain media. Highlights include the Professor G. Parry FREng demonstration of distributed feedback lasers well suited to the low loss One of the attractive features of Solid windows of polymer optical fibres. State Physics research is the way Ultralow threshold operation using its discoveries and inventions impact mixed-order gratings allowed the Figure 1: Transparent polymer sheets across all the sciences. We have doped with nanocrystals for use in a achievement of InGaN diode pumping chosen to describe our work in terms luminescent solar concentrator. of polymer DFB lasers, with the of some of these application areas: prospect of integrated formats composed of combinations of electron sensors and spintronics, communi- providing sources across the whole acceptor and electron donor materials, cations and optoelectonics, photo- visible spectrum (RCUK Basic including polymer / fullerene 'bulk voltaics, applications in biomedicine Technology project). Additional interests heterojunction' blends and hybrid and health care, and plastic electronics. include optical amplifiers and switches polymer / nanocrystal composites. in both planar and fibre-based Photovoltaics Work is underway to understand the formats (EU Polycom project). Solar Cell Research detailed relationships between blend morphology, charge transport and Silicon germanium based K. W. J. Barnham, A. J.Chatten, recombination, and is applied to optoelectronics and microelectronics N. J. Ekins-Daukes, J. Nelson, optimise device performance, mainly D. D. C. Bradley J. Zhang, P. N. Stavrinou, G. Parry through control of self-organisation during processing and the use of The ability to capture and store solar Research in this area aims to produce novel materials and device structures. energy is a key requirement for a GeSi based technology to implement sustainable economy. Research in Communications and Optoelectronics optoelectronic and microelectronic the group concerns the application of Quantum Dots devices such as quantum cascade nanostructured materials to achieve lasers and optical modulators on the R. Murray efficiency gains in photovoltaic devices. silicon platform. Using molecular beam epitaxy for material growth we have Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) The group has pioneered a high produced quantum cascade laser are finding their way into niche areas, performance quantum well solar cell structures which utilize inter-sub- notably lasers, optical amplifiers and that recently attained an efficiency of band transitions for light emission, and saturable absorbers for telecommu- 27.3%, almost matching the world demonstrated electroluminescence. nications applications, single record for single junction photo- Recently, we commenced work on sources for quantum cryptography voltaic energy conversion of 27.8%. and as qubits for quantum computing. Such cells are desirable for use in They demand the ultimate in nanos- high-performance terrestrial solar tructure control of semiconductors concentrating systems and a spin-out using epitaxial growth since size, company, QuantaSol, was recently shape, composition and strain can founded, aiming to fill this commercial all be manipulated in single or multi- opportunity. layered structures. The most exciting recent work has focused on the The luminescent properties of semi- injection and manipulation of spin conductor nanocrystals (e.g. quantum polarised electrons where coupling dots and nanorods) have been used of spins in QD bilayers can be used in a luminescent concentrator, which to fabricate qubits. Building on the has the advantages that both direct wealth of semiconductor processing and diffuse radiation can be collected this can easily be scaled to include and that solar tracking is not required. many qubits, offering a practical The absorption threshold is tuned route to quantum computing. simply by the choice of nanocrystal size and excellent solar photon Organic Optoelectronics harvesting is achieved owing to their P. N. Stavrinou, D. D. C. Bradley broad absorption spectra. Figure 2. Nanoscale plasmon Research in this area has focused Organic photovoltaic devices offer waveguides consisting of ordered primarily on the design and imple- metal nanoparticle arrays. A near-field the possibility to generate solar mentation of novel solid-state lasers, optical tip is used as the excitation electricity at a very low cost per using conjugated polymer thin film source, and a fluorescent bead as a device area. The devices are nanoscale detector.

18 stress balanced Ge/GeSi optical ice structures are also areas of spin-out company Ingenia Technology modulators based on the quantum ongoing interest. Ltd is working closely with Prof confined Stark effect. Spatial Interrogation of Cowburn's group to bring the Nanophotonics plasmonics and Superconductivity and Magnetism technology to market. metamaterials Biomedical and Healthcare D. Caplin, L. Cohen applications S. Maier, P. N. Stavrinou, C. C. Phillips, D. D. C. Bradley Lesley Cohen’s group uses supercon- Plasmonics for Biological Sensing ducting tips and also planar sensors to L. Cohen, S. Maier, C. C. Phillips, Research in plasmonics and metama- interrogate the population difference P. N. Stavrinou. terials is driven by the desire to create between electrons with spin up verses miniature photonic circuits for post- spin down, known as the spin polar- The field of plasmonics uses collective CMOS technology, ultra-sensitive ization of the transport current in highly electronic resonances in metal nano- nanoscale biosensors, and “better- spin polarized ferromagnet metals. structures to compress light fields than-nature” designer materials for Scanning Hall probe imaging is used into tiny volumes, often much less superlenses or cloaks, all based on to study the dynamic interactions than an optical wavelength. Such surface waves at metallic interfaces. between pancake vortex stacks and structures, can be designed to We have developed plasmonic meta- Josephson vortices in superconducting concentrate IR light to enable materials at far-infrared frequencies, single crystals and also for the emerging extremely sensitive chemical and continued to investigate various field of giant magnetocalorics for detection, down to just a handful of geometries for plasmonic circuits efficient environmentally friendly biomolecules, via a dramatic amplifi- working at near-infrared and optical room temperature refrigeration. cation of their optical absorption frequencies, as well as designed characteristics. Similar approaches Raman novel ultra-small metallic cavities. are being pursued at the other end The incorporation of polymer gain L. Cohen of the spectrum, where we use layers potentially enables us to designer “spoof plasmon” surfaces overcome the significant absorption The performance of Solid Oxide Fuel to confine THz radiation close to the losses. Our research covers all aspects Cells operating on hydrocarbon fuels surface where it can be strongly from fundamental electromagnetic can be drastically impaired by repet- absorbed. With an array of e.g. 100nm theory and design, through nanofab- itive redox cycling, coke formation discs of Ag in a square lattice, these rication and –characterization using and sulphur poisoning at the anode. surface modes show marked spectral far- and near-field optics . We have used Raman spectroscopy shifts when a target is introduced to as a non invasive means to study the square array. Sensors and Spintronics real time formation of secondary 3D magnetic memory devices phases under fuel cell operating SERS, surface enhanced Raman conditions (high temperatures and Spectroscopy, exploits the same R. Cowburn mixed fuel environments). plasmonic field enhancement effect, Laser scattering sensors but, because it is an optically non- We have been developing an ultrahigh linear effect enormous sensitivity density 3D memory device for computer R. Cowburn enhancements, up to 108 are possible. application. Shaping of nanowires This year we developed the use of fabricated from ferromagnetic metals Prof. Cowburn's group has continued the coupled plasmon between form conduits that allow magnetic development and commercialisation colloidal gold nanostructures to domain walls to flow in a controlled of a laser scattering sensor which can move towards a method capable of fashion. Each domain wall carries one probe microscopic and nanometre detecting disease-specific enzymes bit of information and the information scale imperfections in surfaces. A down to single molecular level. can be distributed through a complex Mid-Infrared Imaging for Cancer interconnected network of nanowires Detection to form an ultrahigh density memory. S. Maier, C.C. Phillips Narrow Gap Semiconductors for Spintronics and Sensor Applications Radiation in the 3<λ<14µm wave- L. Cohen length range is absorbed as localised chemical bond vibrations which give Lesley Cohen’s group continues to each complex biomolecule a spectral develop narrow gap semiconductors “fingerprint” by which it can be easily (NGS) for hybrid metal-NGS spintronic recognised. Normally it’s very difficult devices. Geometric manipulation of Figure 3: The microscopic roughness to obtain images at these wavelengths, NGS for sensor applications, and of of a plastic credit card as viewed by Using a novel laser system we can thin film ferromagnets such as spin atomic force microscopy image live cell cultures, cancer

19 biopsy samples and bone collagen explored. with 100 psec time resolution, mapping out the chemical distributions with Other, interface driven, research is -limited accuracy. concerned with novel optical interac- tions that arise as a result of the The most exciting application is in the numerous interfaces found in typical field of cancer diagnosis. Instead of device structures. A notable one chemically staining biopsy slices from involves the surface plasmon states suspected tumours to reveal their that can be supported at metal-polymer internal structure, we image them with interfaces. Our interest is in examining IR wavelengths which are absorbed the strength of these interactions, by the very chemical components particularly in terms of the energy- (e,g, DNA, proteins, lipids etc) that Figure 4: molecular dynamics simulation transferred or shared at the interface the stains would have bound to. of methanofullerene (PCBM) molecule at and how it may be controlled through 300K. sensitive choice of structure-thick- Organic photoconductors for X-ray nesses-material properties. Significant imaging physical structure use a multi-scale approach incorporating atomistic modifications to the radiative properties D. D. C. Bradley, J. Nelson, molecular dynamics (Figure 4), of a structure are possible and may P. N. Stavrinou. quantum-chemical methods and be selectively employed in device kinetic Monte Carlo simulations. structures to enhance performance. In collaboration with the Opto- electronics group in Cambridge and At the device level current research Two further themes in our research the Medical Physics group at UCL, areas include charge injection, have been the development of: (i) we are developing organic photode- transport, trapping and light emission processing methods that are well- tectors to detect the green light from in conjugated polymers and small suited to the fabrication of molecular X-ray scintillation screens. Using a molecules, OLEDs and OFETs. electronic devices and (ii) high new multilayer design we managed Work on polymer LEDs includes conductivity variants of the polymeric to exceed the target design sensitivity research directed towards lighting conductor PEDOT:PSS as replace- by a factor of 5, with degradation applications (funded by a BP project ments for indium tin oxide electrodes. times unaffected by the X-rays. on energy efficient buildings) and In the former category are included Response times are much faster than metal-oxide cathode based structures a new 'interlayer' lithography process the X-rays source, and we have even (with Saif Haque in Chemistry). In for patterning and a novel stamp been able to register the X-rays directly 2007 we completed the Reactive, transfer process (see Figure 5) for without the ! The next Polymerizable Organic Light Emitting multilayer device fabrication (both challenge is to integrate these Diodes (RPOLED) project with Merck the subject of patent filings). In the detectors with their own organic Chemicals Ltd to develop cross- latter category, the focus has been signal amplifier. linkable, photo-patternable and on another patented procedure, Plastic Electronics alignable reactive mesogen materials namely the vapour phase polymer- for LEDs and TFTs. We were also ization (VPP) of EDOT monomer: Molecular electronic materials and involved in the European Commission Excellent properties have been devices funded CONTACT project to contact achieved e.g. conductivity up to T. D. Anthopoulos, D. D. C. Bradley, print polymer TFT arrays for flexible, 1200 S/cm and ready compatibility J. Nelson, A. Campbell, J-S Kim, flat-panel liquid crystal displays. with flexible substrate devices. P. N. Stavrinou. Recently the first ever polymer TFT with gravure printed semiconductor, Organic semiconductors are a unique two insulator layers, and a metal class of materials with numerous gate was fabricated, demonstrating emerging applications that include that this high volume, roll-to-roll organic photovoltaics (OPVs), light- compatible printing technique can emitting diodes (OLEDs) and field- be used to fabricate organic circuit effect transistors (OFETs). We have elements. We have additionally active experimental and theoretical been working closely with industry programmes on charge transport. on the development of high mobility Experimental work has focussed on OFETs and integrated circuits based the measurement of charge mobility on soluble small molecule organics Figure 5: High-Tech Tartan’ microscopic images of a patterned multilayer structure in organic films and its dependence such as C60, C70 and C84 fullerenes. on chemical structure, composition Use of high performance organic comprising red, green and blue light and processing conditions. Theoretical emitting polymers under UV (blue/purple semiconductors in bifunctional emission colour), blue (green emission methods to relate the charge transport transistors such as light-sensing and colour) and green (red emission colour) properties to their chemical and light-emitting OFETs is also being excitation.

20 High Energy Physics http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research/hep Head of Group iment, including the scientific leader, Professor J. Nash Spokesperson Prof Tejinder Virdee and the detector systems (Photograph The High Energy Group is influential on front cover). in many of the current and future international experiments that inves- The Electromagnetic Calorimeter tigate the fundamental particles and (ECAL) measures electron and photon the forces between them. A primary energies via scintillation light signals aim is to address basic questions such in lead tungstate crystals. Electrons as the origin of mass and the observed are important for W and Z Figure 1: The path of the T2K neutrino asymmetry between matter and anti- observation and allow studies of beam from Tokai, where the "near detector" will be located, to the Super- matter. Much of the programme is physics which will Kamiokande detector at Kamioka. directed at discovering where the confirm performance and calibrate Standard Model, that has proved CMS as well as provide opportunities first long baseline neutrino superbeam amazingly successful in the description for Higgs discovery. Precision ECAL experiment. The experiment will of electro- weak interactions, will break performance is vital to permit detection direct the most intense neutrino beam down, since theoretical expectations of a Higgs decaying to two high energy ever, currently under construction on imply that it cannot be the final story. photons, a discovery channel favoured the east coast of Japan, towards the This will be accomplished by testing by theoretical interpretations of existing Super-Kamiokande detector, located predictions to high accuracy and data. 295 km away in the mountains of studying phenomena outside the western Japan (Fig. 1). T2K will push model such as supersymmetry, dark The CMS Tracker is a giant 210m2 the bounds of matter and neutrino oscillations. silicon detector system; the Imperial physics: the first, and still the only, observed phenomenon not allowed CMS group contributed major parts of the radiation hard readout electronics. by the Standard Model. G. Hall, T. Virdee, C. Foudas, J. Nash, The Tracker complements the ECAL D. Colling, G. Davies, M. Dellanegra, to identify electrons and photons, The most exciting physics that T2K P. Sharp, D. Futyan, J. Hays, G. Iles, precisely measures muons and will probe is the existence of a hitherto M. Noy, G. Sidiropoulos, M. Stettler, hadronic jets, all of which are vital unobserved neutrino oscillation O. Zorba, R. Bainbridge, R. Beuselinck, for physics discoveries. process: muon neutrinos oscillating J. Fulcher, B. MacEvoy, A. Nikitenko, into electron neutrinos. If measured, M. Raymond, M. Ryan, C. Seez, The Global Calorimeter Trigger selects this type of oscillation might provide M. Stoye, M. Takahashi, A. Tapper, the most interesting events for offline the key to an understanding of why S. Tourneur, S. Wakefield study and detailed analysis. we live in a matter dominated universe. Collisions occur at 25 nanosecond T2K will also make the world's most The CERN intervals and raw event rates are far precise measurement of the so-called (LHC) is almost finished and will start too high to allow all but a tiny fraction atmospheric neutrino oscillation. colliding proton beams at 14 TeV to be written to offline storage, so centre-of-mass energy, the highest meticulous selection by the trigger Imperial plays a leading role in the in the world, during 2008. It will open a system is vital to the experiment. experiment, especially as Prof Dave new window on particle physics, and Wark is International Co-Spokesman. discoveries are eagerly awaited. CMS will extract physics results from We are contributing to many aspects data as early as possible after the LHC of the design of the near detector, CMS is the starts. The experiment must be well which will be placed 280 metres experiment, whose assembly in the aligned, calibrated, accurately synchro- from the beam's origin, including the underground cavern is complete. nised to the proton beams and optimisation of the calorimeter and Commissioning of detectors and measurements of collisions analysed electronics as well as performing electronic systems is very advanced. with great care. Imperial research and development on a new CMS will search for evidence of the are active in all aspects of this which generation of photosensor. The elusive , by which will be the top priority in 2008. group is prominent in the devel- and of the Standard Model opment of analysis and simulation obtain their masses. New symmetries T2K software which is being used to fine- of nature, especially supersymmetry G. Hall, M. Noy, M. Raymond, tune the detector design and will be where all have a partner Y. Uchida, A. Vacheret, D. L. Wark, used to perform physics studies once boson, which leads to a plethora of M. O. Wascko the experiment starts running in new particles, may be found. Imperial 2009. We are also leading the way College has major roles in the exper- T2K (Tokai-to-Kamioka) will be the in reducing the uncertainties due to

21 neutrino interaction cross sections, anti-b quarks mix. We were able, for which will be one of the dominant the first time, to limit the range of the systematics for the T2K electron oscillation frequency to 17-21 per neutrino appearance search. Dr Wascko picosecond at 90% confidence level, a is co-Spokesperson of the international result which indirectly probes exten- SciBooNE collaboration at Fermilab, sions to the Standard Model, such as whose results will be used as physics Supersymmetry (SUSY). Our focus input for the T2K oscillation analysis. is now on the search for the Standard Model and SUSY Higgs . The LHCb Figure 2: Hybrid Photon Detectors group is responsible for several key O. Awunor, W. Cameron, P. Dornan, mounted in RICH1 at LHCb. analyses as well as playing a leading U. Egede, P. Koppenburg, R. Plackett, The effort concentrates on rare decays role in the management of the DZero D. R. Price, T. Savidge, D. Websdale where the effects of physics beyond Higgs group. Over the next few years the Standard Model will have its biggest it will be a race with the LHC to find The LHCb experiment at the LHC is impact. The preparation for physics this elusive particle. specifically designed to study the decay also involves the development of soft- SuperNEMO of B- with the ultimate precision. ware tools to calibrate the flavour The aim is to provide measurements tagging which is an essential part of J. K. Sedgbeer, Y. A. Shitov, of CP-violation and rare decays with any CP violation analysis. In addition T. R. Sashalmi, R. Beuselinck the highest sensitivity as a way to look the group is leading the development of for new physics beyond the Standard Ganga, the user interface for LHCb that Double Beta-Decay (DBD) is a second- Model. allows physicists to perform their order weak process in which two analysis on the Grid in a transparent neutrons inside a nucleus sponta- For the CP-violation studies, particle and easily manageable way. neously transform into two protons. identification is required to identify the This -number conserving D Zero flavour of the quarks participating in the process, 2-neutrino DBD, has been B-decay. Particles of a known D. Bauer, R. Beuselinck, G. J. Davies, observed in several nuclei with half 20 momentum travelling through a medium J. Hassard, J. Hays, R. Jesik, lives of about 10 years. If lepton- with velocity greater than the speed of P. Jonsson, M. Petteni, T. Scanlon, number is violated, neutrinoless DBD light in the medium emit photons at a F. Villeneuve-Seguier may occur. In this case the neutrino is fixed angle depending upon the mass reabsorbed by the intermediate nucleus. of the particle. By imaging the emitted The Tevatron, at Fermilab near Chicago, This reabsorption requires that the photons onto a plane they will form a is currently the world's highest energy neutrino is its own antiparticle (a ring where the radius identifies the , colliding protons Majorana ) and must have mass of the particle. In LHCb this is and anti-protons at close to 2 TeV, non-zero mass. The Majorana done with two Ring Imaging Cherenkov putting it at the very forefront of hypothesis is currently favoured in Detectors, RICH1 and RICH2. The discovery. Grand Unified Theories and super- Cherenkov photons are detected using symmetric theories. arrays of hybrid photon detectors (HPD). At a hadron collider the trigger (the Each HPD has one thousand pixels, real-time selection of events) is critical SuperNEMO is a proposed experiment each sensitive to single photons. The due to the very large QCD background. to search for neutrinoless DBD as Imperial group is leading the design Our highest level trigger, Level-3, evidence for Majorana neutrino masses and construction of RICH1 which is partially reconstructs each event (in down to a level below 0.05eV (equiv- 26 now being installed in the experiment about 100 milliseconds), placing it at alent to a half life of about 10 years), (Fig. 2). the boundary between trigger and the region suggested by the discovery physics. Imperial leads the Level-3 of neutrino mass from neutrino oscil- The versatile trigger system is a crucial activities. A group member also lation experiments. The Imperial element of the LHCb experiment. The coordinates the experiment's overall group's interests are mainly in the LHC will provide a rate of B at trigger strategy. The DZero experiment calorimeter design and site-specific 100 kHz so even with a final trigger is a pioneer in HEP Grid computing background studies. rate as high as 2 kHz, LHCb has to be and the group is also heavily involved BaBar very selective in the events that are in this area. saved for further analysis. The group D. Bard, P. D. Dauncey, R. Flack, is leading the implementation of the We are playing a leading role in two W. Panduro Vazquez last decision level and studying how of the main physics activities: B-physics to correct for biases due to the trigger. and the search for the Higgs boson(s). The BaBar detector is located at the The Tevatron produces some trillion PEP-II electron- collider at With the start of the LHC getting closer B mesons per year allowing us to the SLAC laboratory in California. an increased emphasis has been study CP violation, most excitingly The BaBar collaboration is studying placed on preparing for data analysis. through observing the way b and CP violation and rare decays using

22 B mesons. In 2001 it made the world's The muon beam that is produced in the first observation of this phenomenon -decay channel occupies a very in B decays through the measurement large phase space, which must be of the parameter sin2β of the CKM reduced, or cooled. It is proposed to matrix. This parameter is indicative reduce the energy of the beam by of the "indirect" type of CP violation. passing it through liquid hydrogen and In 2004, BaBar produced the first then re-accelerating the beam - this evidence for the other, "direct", type is referred to as 'ionisation cooling'. of CP violation in B mesons using To demonstrate ionisation cooling, we charmless hadronic B decays. are mounting the Muon Ionisation BaBar will finish data-taking in 2008 Cooling Experiment, to be commissioned Figure 3: The Real Time Monitor, with a total dataset of around a billion with beam in early 2008. Imperial is developed at Imperial College, showing B decays. responsible for the provision of the computing jobs travelling around the scintillating-fibre tracking detectors. globe for execution at Grid sites. The Imperial group is heavily involved in accompanying deluge of data. The Calice measurements of very rare decays, Grid is the next leap in computer made possible by the enormous P. D. Dauncey, A-M. Magnan, M. Noy interconnectivity and provides the dataset of BaBar. Specifically the equivalent of 100,000 PCs at present. group is studying decays where the The Calice collaboration is studying both The Imperial group counts among its underlying process is b --> dγ. electromagnetic and hadronic calori- members the Manager and Technical These decays can occur through meters with an aim of obtaining excellent Coordinator of the London Tier 2 centre. "penguin" loops, which are suppressed jet energy resolution though "particle We have led the GridCC project, in the Standard Model. However, the flow algorithm" (PFA) techniques. which brings instruments and complex decay rate would be enhanced by new workflows to the Grid. Members of physics processes through virtual The Imperial group has led the design the group have also taken a key role in particles in these loops, so this of the readout electronics for prototype testing the Workload Management measurement could reveal physics calorimeters. Beam tests took place System for the European Union EGEE- beyond the Standard Model. at DESY and CERN in 2005-7 and II project (Enabling Grids for E-sciencE) these will continue in FNAL in 2008-9. and developing a "Real-Time Monitor" R & D This will build up a unique dataset of that allows physicists to visualise the G. Barber, A. Cheng, P. Dornan, electromagnetic and hadronic showers progress of their computing jobs M. Ellis, A. Kurup, K. Long, measured with state-of-the-art PFA around the globe (Fig. 3). A. Jamdagni, S. Jolly, J. Pozimski, calorimetry. The group leads the UK computing P. Savage project for the CMS detector. The Grid, The group is also involved in the however, has applications beyond The discovery of neutrino oscillations development of an electromagnetic the LHC and we are also actively implies that neutrinos are massive, calorimeter design based on monolithic involved with other communities in a that the Standard Model is incomplete. active pixel sensors (MAPS). This could variety of projects ranging from The far-reaching consequences of potentially give improvements in both bioinformatics to brain imaging. the spatial and jet energy resolution neutrino oscillations justify a dedicated Testing QCD through Spin at a lower cost. A first prototype sensor experimental programme. The group Dependent Phenomena recently led an International Scoping has been fabricated with 28,000 pixels, Study on the Neutrino Factory, an each with a size of 50 by 50 micro- E. Leader intense high-energy neutrino source metres. It is currently being tested in derived from the decay of a stored beams, and with sources and a laser. (QCD) is muon beam, the ultimate tool for the This sensor contains several designs the generally accepted theory of the study of neutrino oscillations. The for the active pixel readout circuit and strong interactions between elementary Neutrino Factory R&D programme at a second sensor, using whichever particles, and our research focuses on Imperial is focused on the front end of design is found to be the best, is testing QCD by comparing theoretical the high- power proton source, the expected to be made in 2008. predictions for spin dependent proton driver, and the muon cooling measurements with data. Particularly e-Science system. interesting are single spin asymmetries, A front end test stand (FETS) is D. I. Britton, D. J. Colling, B. MacEvoy, which are very large (about 40% in being constructed at the Rutherford J. Martyniak, G. Moont, F. Villeneuve- some cases) yet are predicted to be Appleton Laboratory in the UK with the Seguier, O. van der Aa, S. Wakefield, zero in the simplest version of QCD. aim of demonstrating the production M. Aggarwal of a 60 mA, 2 ms, 50 pps chopped We study mechanisms for producing beam at 3 MeV with sufficient beam When experiments at the LHC begin these asymmetries and also the quality as required for a MW proton to take data at CERN in 2008, the related question of the internal spin driver. Grid will be used to process the structure of the .

23 Laser Consortium http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research/qols/research_areas/laser_consortium.htm Director Atomic clusters are fragile aggregates Professor J. P. Marangos of cold atoms with a surprising ability to absorb laser energy. In our experi- The Blackett Laboratory Laser ments a few mm scale medium of Consortium has wide ranging exper- atomic clusters is irradiated with a imental and theoretical programmes short laser pulse focused to an focused on developing and employing intensity of ª 1017 Wcm-2 to create a ultra-high intensity and extremely high energy density (ª 4 x 105 J/cc) short duration laser pulses to probe plasma. A high temperature thermal a broad range of physical processes. wave propagates into the surrounding Active research activities include the gas and evolves in a similar way to a generation, characterisation and supernova expanding into the inter- application of attosecond pulses, Figure 1: A streaked Schlieren image of the expansion of a Mach 30 blast stellar medium. We follow the time alignment and control of quantum wave launched into an cluster history of this complex system using processes in molecules, the interaction gas by an intense few picosecond laser techniques such as “streaked Schlieren” of surfaces and sub-wavelength pulse. imaging (Fig. 1) to sweep a 1D slice targets with intense laser fields and drive the processes that create them. of an image out in time, highlighting the generation of high energy density Complex computer codes are often changes in electron density as a blast plasmas for laboratory astrophysics used to interpret observational data, wave heats and compresses matter. experiments. Our activities have but modelling these systems is recently been expanded by the arrival extremely challenging due to the In our most recent work we have of two senior new members of staff, complex interplay between radiation, devised new techniques for launching Prof. L. J. Frasinski (experimental hydrodynamics and . multiple blast waves and probing the attoscience and laser interactions complex structures produced as they with molecules) and Prof. M Ivanov Despite the many orders of magnitude collide. By taking 2D interferograms (theoretical high field laser matter differences in length and timescales over a range of view angles we can interactions and few cycle physics). between astrophysical objects and tomographically reconstruct the full 3D the laboratory, we can carry out electron density profile of the system To enable our experimental work we experiments that closely mimic many with unparalleled levels of detail operate several terawatt (1012 W) of the key physical processes under- (Fig.2). Our laboratory experiments laser systems able to access the lying their evolution. This is achieved provide us with scaled models of picosecond, femtosecond, and few using scaling laws based on dimen- processes which occur in nebulae, cycle regimes. Using a combination sionless parameters such as the and are now being used to testing of experiment and theory we continue Mach and Reynolds numbers. Very complex computer models. to make pioneering contributions to high energy density plasmas must be the fields of ultra-short pulse generation, Attosecond Science created in the laboratory to achieve non-linear optics, plasma physics, this scaling, and we accomplish this Pulsed light sources of attosecond and molecular dynamics. We are by use of a laser heated medium of duration derived from high harmonic supported by the EPSRC, MOD, and atomic clusters. generation (HHG) allow us to observe the Basic Technology Programme of directly the dynamics of atoms and RCUK, and grants from the EU and molecules on their natural length Royal Society. There are numerous (Ångstrom) and time (sub-femtosecond) collaborations with leading groups in scales. Electronic motion on the the UK, Europe and US. The Blackett attosecond timescale underpins many Laboratory Laser Consortium forms microscopic natural phenomena, such part of the Quantum Optics and Laser as charge transfer in molecules and at Science Group. surfaces. “Attosecond Science” Laboratory Astrophysics promises to have impact and appli- cation across physics, chemistry and R. A. Smith, J. Lazarus, M. Hohenberger, eventually biology, as well as in nano- J. Robinson, H. Doyle, R Carley. science and engineering. We are supported by grants from EPSRC Extended astrophysics objects such and RCUK for activities that include: as nebulae and supernova remnants Attosecond Technology, Ultra-Fast Figure 2. A 3D rendering and 2D slice are often turbulent, knotted structures Coherent Control and Ultra-Fast and it is believed that the interaction through experimental tomographic data recording the collision of two high Mach Molecular Imaging. of shocks and radiative blast waves number cylindrical blast waves.

24 Attosecond Technology transform limited pulse of 8.4fs (see Fig.4). This compares well with the J. W. G. Tisch, J. P. Marangos, 500mJ, 5-7fs pulses available from R. A. Smith, L. J. Frasinski, comparable state-of-the art laser G. H. C. New, P. L. Knight, S. Baker, systems. J. Robinson, L. Chipperfield, P. Bates, Theory Y. El-Taha, C. Arrell, F. Frank, L. Brugnera, E. Skopalova Figure 4. The amplified spectrum from We are investigating the attosecond our OPCPA system (red) and the seed dynamics of electronic states, within We report on activites within a Basic pulse before amplification (shaded gray), atoms and molecules, driven by Technology Attosecond Science scaled to the same peak amplitude to intense, few-cycle, laser fields via Project. This is a multi-institution UK allow comparison of their spectral numerical solution of the time- collaboration, centred and managed shapes. The transform limited pulse dependent Schrödinger Equation within the Laser Consortium, with the duration of the red spectrum is 8.4 fs. and through Quantum Orbit models goal of developing the capability for is selected using a Mo/Si multilayer in the Strong Field Approximation. attosecond time scale measurements mirror, which also focuses the pulses Increasing the maximum electron of atomic and molecular processes. into a gas target. By selecting a portion recollision energy is an important goal Recently, £1.2M of additional EPSRC of the spectrum, it is possible to isolate for optimising HHG as a source of funding was secured to continue this a single, sub-femtosecond burst of attosecond XUV pulses. To date many work for four years. radiation. This short pulse ionises techniques involving the mixing of atoms in the gas target producing a different frequency fields have been Attosecond Pulse Generation and burst of electrons with the same proposed to achieve this. One route Characterisation temporal structure as the incident is to increase the wavelength of the To produce attosecond pulses we pulse, which we detected with an driving laser, since recollision energy is generate high harmonic radiation in electron spectrometer. By using a proportional to l2. However, this rare gases at 1kHz repetition rate using small fraction of the residual, few-cycle, greatly reduces harmonic yield, due broadband near-IR pulses of ~ 6.5 fs infra-red pulse, the momentum of this the increased wavepacket spreading. from a hollow-fibre pulse compression burst of photoelectrons can be shifted (HFPC) system, shown in Fig.3. The or “streaked”, enabling the temporal We have investigated this problem carrier-envelope phase (CEP) of the structure of the XUV pulse to be and found analytically the optimum pulses can be actively stabilised, deduced. Construction of this complex waveform which maximises electron allowing light-matter interactions to apparatus has been completed, and recollision energy for a given average be conducted with reproducible electric measurements of XUV and IR photo- fluence and oscillation period. This field waveforms. electron spectra have been carried waveform is a simple sawtooth with out. We will now add in the streaking a DC offset, as illustrated in Fig.5. We have made significant progress field, to enable full reconstruction of The maximum electron recollision towards measurements of the atto- the attosecond temporal structure. energy produced by such a waveform second pulse structure using a From spectral measurements, a is over three times greater than for a technique known as the “attosecond duration of ~250 attoseconds is monochromatic field. However, it is atomic streak-camera”. The highest expected. not currently possible to produce this energy portion of the HHG radiation sawtooth waveform. Therefore, with Laser Development the aid of a genetic algorithm, we Construction of a sub-10-fs laser have investigated waveforms that based on Optical Parametric Chirped approximate the ideal case. Adding a Pulse Amplification (OPCPA) is nearing strong, low frequency field with some completion. This will provide CEP stabilised pulses at multi-mJ levels, as a high energy drive laser for HHG and high intensity laser-cluster experiments. Figure 3. Hollow fibre pulse compression OPCPA is a new laser technology system. A 1mJ/30 fs laser pulse from a which enables amplification of commercial CPA laser system is extremely broad bandwidth pulses spectrally broadened via self-phase using non-linear crystal amplifiers, modulation in a gas-filled hollow fibre allowing the direct production of (brightly glowing cylinder to left of figure). energetic sub-10-fs pulses necessary Figure 5. The analytically determined The broadened pulse is then reflected off for attosecond pulse production. waveform that maximises the electron recollision energy in HHG. This may a number of dielectric chirped mirrors Recent progress on the OPCPA laser (typically 6-8 bounces) which provide provide a route to shorter wavelength has boosted the energy output by an dispersion compensation to compress attosecond pulses. Plotted on the left is the pulse to the few cycle limit (~6.5 fs). order of magnitude to ~125mJ, with the electric field and on the right the The peak power is ~0.1TW. a frequency spectrum supporting a amplitude of its frequency components.

25 weak high frequency harmonics involving dynamic matching of molecule produces a waveform that increases internuclear separation and recolliding the electron recollision energy by a electron wavelength. Further we have factor of 2.5, compared to a single shown that the effects of electronic frequency, without loss in yield. structure and symmetry are observed in high-order harmonic generation in Surface Science laser aligned conjugated polyatomic In collaboration with Ms Emma Catton, molecules. The dependence of Dr Andrey Kaplan, Dr Miklos Lenner harmonic yield on the angle between and Prof Richard Palmer from the the molecular axis and polarisation University of Birmingham, we have of the driving laser contains the made measurements of ultrafast fingerprint of the highest occupied electron dynamics at the surface of molecular orbitals. In acetylene and highly-orientated (HOPG) – allene, good quantitative agreement a synthetic form of graphite whose with calculations using the strong sheets are well-ordered over field approximation was found. a large area. Time of Flight techniques were used to study photoelectrons Figure 6. Photoelectron energy spectra produced at the HOPG surface when as a function of delay from an IR-IR 13fs irradiated with 13fs pulses from the pump-probe scheme. The colour map HFPC laser system (vacuum intensity gives relative photo-electron yield. Three 11 -2 at surface ~10 Wcm ). Electrons with separate features can be seen in the kinetic energies significantly higher autocorrelation of the photoelectron than expected from multiphoton signal at the HOPG surface, corre- processes were detected. The creation sponding to electrons with energy (a) 20 – of these electrons was found to have a 40eV, (b) 0-1eV and 1-12eV. Fast electrons shown in (a) have short lifetimes compa- highly nonlinear intensity-dependence, Figure 7. Dynamic two-centre inter- rable to the pulse duration and a highly ference in HHG, of a chirped returning and their lifetime was studied via non-linear intensity dependence. both IR/IR and IR/XUV pump-probe electron wavepacket and an evolving experiments. We found evidence of to measure hydrogen nuclei (protons) nuclear wavefunction. Red and blue the involvement of a surface plasmon rearranging their positions in a represent opposite signs of the wavefunc- tions. At early times (a) and late times (c), in the electron emission process, molecule following ionisation. We tracked the proton motion in molecular the condition for two-centre interference and thus high energy electrons can is not satisfied. The corresponding low be attributed to the enhancement of hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4) with a resolution of 10-16 second and high order harmonics are therefore the laser field at the surface. emitted without significant interference. (100 attoseconds), which is the fastest Ultrafast Molecular Imaging At intermediate times (b), emission of ever observation of this process. harmonics is reduced. J. P. Marangos, J. W. G.Tisch, S. Baker, The “chirped” nature of the electron R. Torres, L. Chipperfield ,D. Darios, wavepacket produced by laser These measurements support the T. Siegel, N. Kajumba, C. Haworth, ionisation in a strong field gives rise extension of the recently proposed J. Robinson. to a chirp (time varying frequency) in molecular orbital imaging technique the photons emitted upon recombi- beyond simple diatomic molecules to We are studying laser driven electron nation. Use of this chirp allows larger systems. For example if we recollisions to probe structure and information about nuclear dynamics consider allene the measured orien- dynamics in molecules with molecular to be gained with 100 attosecond tation dependence of the yield at scale (sub-Å) spatial resolution and temporal resolution, from excitation alignment or anti-alignment show a temporal resolution of less than a by an 8 fs pulse, in a single laser shot. distinctive angular modulation due to femtosecond. The technique uses the wavefunction of the outer electron. intense laser fields to tear an electron We report the first observation of a This is well reproduced by a strong from a molecule (ionisation), accel- new kind of two-centre interference, field calculation. erate it, and then drive it back a fraction where the nuclear dynamics launched of an optical cycle later (~1 fs) with at ionisation play a critical role. In large momentum. The electron previous measurements of destructive recombines with the molecule giving interference, molecular nuclei were up the energy it acquired (typically assumed to be static, and the chirp 30 - 70eV) as a single soft X-ray of the returning electron wavepacket photon; a process termed high largely ignored. However we have harmonic generation. shown (Fig. 7) that in systems with fast moving nuclei (H2), the inter- We recently used strong laser fields ference occurs in a transient fashion

26 Photonics http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research/photonics Head of Group line around 2.1 m. We continue to Professor P. M.W. French investigate cascaded operation of this and similar Raman configurations. Our broad research themes are fibre and laser optics, electromagnetic The group has also reported world theory, imaging technology and record output powers from a new, applications and biophotonics. tuneable Bismuth-doped silica-based Current projects include high power fibre laser. Pumping with a cw Yb fibre and solid-state laser technology, fibre laser, a narrow linewidth (<0.2nm) including broadly tunable supercon- was achieved with average output tinuum sources, ultrafast fibre lasers, Figure 2. Supercontinuum generation power of 6.5W. Work has continued amplifiers and nonlinear optics; in a long length of tapered PCF. The on the power scaling of this new rigorous electromagnetic theory (FE, sequential generation of red, orange, active laser material as well as the FDTD, volume integral methods), yellow, green blue and violet can be efficient frequency doubling to the applied to focusing, imaging, optical seen prior to the white light exit from yellow around 589 nm,demonstrating storage and polarisation studies, chiral the fibre. This schemes was used to the capability to achieve watts level media, Bragg structures, photonic enhance blue/uv generation operation 560nm to 620 nm. highly efficient phase matching of crystals, optical sensors; adaptive Computational Electromagnetics optics applied to astronomy, microscopy the four wave mixing process that and ophthalmic imaging; fluorescence- dominates the supercontinuum E. Grace based molecular imaging, including generation under picosecond pumping. optical tomography, fluorescence Consequently, using conventional The propagation of light and its lifetime imaging and multidimensional pump wavelengths, derived from high interaction with complex structures fluorescence imaging applied to power, fibre integrated, picosecond is of paramount importance in the tissue diagnosis, molecular biology Yb fibre lasers, we can now extend modern world. As a result computa- and drug discovery. Most of our supercontinuum generation to the tional methods in optics and photonics projects are interdisciplinary and we blue/uv. We have generated super- are becoming more important as one work closely with industry. continua extending from 320 nm to wishes to study real-world problems. 2000nm, with record spectral power Our research is concerned not only Optical Fibre Laser Technology densities in excess of 5mW/nm in with the formulation of compuational S. Popov, J. R. Taylor the blue/uv, agreeing well with our techniques but also their application theoretical predictions of the processes. to topical problems. Such problems In the past year, the group has made include scattering from complex significant progress in the under- The long length tapered photonic structures and the propagation of standing and control of the processes crystal fibres also allow for adiabatic novel vectorial spiral beams. involved in high power supercon- compression of soliton pulses in Understanding their interaction with tinuum, or so called “white light spectral regions not accessible with microscopic structures is of great generation” in specialist optical fibres. conventional fibre structures, conse- interest as is their generation. Many non-linear optical processes quently we have demonstrated pulse contribute to supercontinuum gener- compression factors of up to 15 and Developing a technique to describe ation, however, by manufacturing long pulse durations as short as 50fs. optical scattering from such physical lengths of photonic crystal fibres with a tapered profile along the length, in a We have also reported world record dispersion decreasing geometry, the spectral power densities for cw pumped dispersion can be controlled to allow supercontinuum generation. With high power pumping we have demon- strated flat supercontinua extending from 1060 nm to 1700 nm with an average power of 30W and spectral power density of greater than 50mW/nm.

In the near infra red we have employed a high power Tm fibre laser system to pump heavily doped germanium Figure 1. Simulation of enhanced phase matching in supercontinsolitons oxide Raman fibre lasers, achieving (upper bright spots) trapping dispersive 33% efficiency and cw output powers radiation. in excess of 5W at the first Stokes Figure 3 :Vectorial spiral beam

27 structures, which could be written limited. We are trying to understand if is, to our knowledge, the most accurate optically, is also of great interest. active metamaterials that exhibit way of modelling optical micro- Such structures are quasi one- optical gain might be the answer. scopes, data storage devices and dimensional but fill 3D space. As Part of the problem lies in defining other systems for optical metrology. such they are an interesting class precisely what is negative refraction, Programmable Optics inhabit of electromagnetic problems distinguishing between what can for which modeling of the empty give rise to laboratory phenomena M. A. A. Neil regions of space is wasteful and the and what are geometrical artifacts. boundary of the surface is complex. We are working to manipulate light in a Electromagnetic Focusing and programmable fashion for applications Imaging with Applications to Optical The applications of this research in microscopy, metrology and the life Data Storage and Microscopy have potential impact on ares of sciences. We continue to develop the optical data storage, micro-manipu- P. Török application of ferroelectric liquid crystal lation and micro-fabrication. spatial light modulators (SLM) to Our research partly aims to improve impart a binary phase modulation onto Active Metamaterials optical storage capacity by exploiting a light beam. We are also applying M. McCall the maximum information content the same technology in applications per unit area that is possible to store ranging from large optical element Negative refraction can make lenses on an optical disk. One approach we phase metrology to optical trapping that defeat traditional diffraction limits. describe as Multiplexed Optical Data and manipulation of biological cells. However, as currently understood, Storage or MODS is to encode more Perhaps one of the highlights is the they are often necessarily quite lossy than a single bit of information into a use of a nematic liquid crystal spatial and so progress towards reaching single pit. We achieve this by writing a light modulator to shape and control these horizons has been rather pit that is asymmetric and measuring the depletion beam in a super- the angle of the pit with high accuracy. resolving STED microsocope (see below). Our other main area of Our work on optical data storage has research concerns the bio-imaging naturally branched into research on application of microstructured LED ultra high- resolution micropo- arrays. With collaborators from larimetry. The instrument we built Strathclyde University we have allows one to look at a large variety developed a 120 line array that we of samples ranging from those used have demonstrated operating in a in materials science to bioimaging. number of confocal microscope configuration. In one example shown In conjunction with both optical data below, in collaboration with colleagues storage and micropolarimetry we are from Kings College London and the working on information theory aspects Institute of Biomedical Engineering of optical imaging. This theoretical at Imperial, we have used the line understanding is combined with our arrays to selectively stimulate cultured extensive range of rigorous electro- neurons channel-rhodopsin photo- magnetic tools including high angle sensors. We expect this technology to Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) become an important physiological and Volume Integral solvers. Our tool and may even provide a means of Figure 4: Examples of Geometrical approach, which uniquely combines realising sight-replacement protheses. negative refraction (a) Light refracting analytical and numerical techniques from vacuum into a lossless birefringent medium at near normal incidence. The wave vector refracts to one side of the normal, whilst the power is on the other side. A component of the power flow opposes the corresponding component of the wave vector in coordinate system O, but not in O’. (b) Hyperbolic wave vector surface for a medium moving with speed v > c(εµ)1/2. The rightmost branch arises from the medium Fresnel dragging light that points into the left half-space θ > π /2. For this branch Figure 6: Selective blue LED line P.k<0 . However, the corresponding illumination of a cultured neural cell quantity in the medium’s rest frame is genetically expressing CHR2 showing positive. This is geometric negative Figure 5: Polarimetric imaging of stimulated action potentials. refraction in spacetime. human chromosomes

28 Nonlinear Optics and Laser Chemistry, as well as the Faculty of Technology , and interact strongly with the Chemical Biology Centre. This M. J. Damzen interdisciplinary programme focuses on multi-dimensional fluorescence We are developing a range of laser imaging (MDFI), with particular and nonlinear optical technologies emphasis on fluorescence lifetime for applications ranging from industrial, imaging (FLIM), for clinical medical, remote sensing and basic diagnosis, molecular biology and science. Novel diode-pumped micro- drug discovery. slab laser technology has been designed and operated as next- Figure 7: Confocal scanning laser Our FLIM technology provides generation industrial laser technology. ophthalmoscope with adaptive optics molecular contrast of different This technology has been demon- from atmospheric turbulence that chemical species and different strated in our laboratories with unique severely limit the imaging resolution. fluorophore environments utilizing combination of performance including In our research we are developing the both one and two photon excitation. very high average power levels >200W, technology and applying it to other A key strength is high-speed FLIM excellent beam quality, ultrahigh situations such as biomedical imaging, (up to 29 frames/s) applicable to conversion efficiencies (60%- 70%), imaging in the eye, and beam propa- endoscopes and multiwell plate and world-record Q-switching pulse gation for line-of-sight optical reader systems as well as microscopy. rates (>1MHz). It is now being communication. Increasingly, we combine FLIM with commercialised through spin-out multispectral or hyperspectral imaging company Midaz Lasers Ltd. Using We have been investigating adaptive and optical sectioning to realize 5- D nonlinear frequency conversion crystals, optics for beam propagation through fluorescence imaging or with polar- we are developing compact efficient the atmosphere and have been ization resolution to image rotational sources at high power in the red, developing the concept of direct- diffusion dynamics. This may be used green, blue and UV spectral regions, phase wavefront sensing to deal with to obtain 3-D images of ligand binding for potential industrial, biomedical optical vortices. We have recently or viscosity distributions – as recently and laser display applications. demonstrated closed-loop adaptive applied to micro-fluidic devices. We optics correction for beams containing have also developed a super- To overcome the strong heating effects random vortices with a point diffraction resolution microscope system based in the laser amplifier that currently interferometer and quadrature phase on STimulated Emission Depletion limit high power solid-state laser reconstruction. In fact our approach (STED) microscopy, which allows operation, we have pioneered self- scales well to large systems and may sub-diffraction limited fluorescence organising lasers that exploit a novel also be important for next generation images to be obtained in a scanning dynamic holography process to large astronomical telescopes. confocal microscope. For cell biology automatically correct adverse thermal we apply FLIM-FRET and MDFI effects. We have world-record self- We have recently established a funda- techniques to image protein interac- organising laser performance to the mental information limit for wavefront tions and have imaged molecular 100W level with excellent beam quality. sensing based on the quantized nature orientation in cell membranes using More recently, we are applying of the light. This has fundamental linear dichroism to probe lipid order. adaptive interferometers to a range relevance to all wavefront sensing at For clinical studies we have deployed of optical metrology problems low light levels and we are now dedicated FLIM instrumentation at including remote ultrasound, non- using the approach to develop new Hammersmith Hospital to explore destructive testing and remote sensing. optimal wavefront sensors. label-free autofluorescence contrast Multidimensional Fluorescence in unstained fresh tissue, an example A recent new initiative is a collabo- Imaging for Biology and Medicine of which is shown in Figure 8. rative programme on nonlinear optical meta-materials utilising hybrid P. M. W. French, M. A. A. Neil, engineered meta-materials grown on C. Dunsby nonlinear materials for new future materials and applications. Our overarching goal is to create new opportunities for scientific Adaptive Optics for Imaging and discoveries, particularly in biomed- Beam Propagation icine, by developing and applying C. Paterson ultrafast and tunable photonics technology to novel imaging and Figure 8: Intrinsic FLIM contrast of ex vivo human basal cell carcinoma. (a) Adaptive optics arose from the need of metrology applications. We work in white light, (b) reflected light, (c) astronomers to overcome the effects of collaboration with colleagues from autofluorescence intensity, (d) FLIM random, dynamic aberrations arising Bioengineering, Biology and and (e) intensity merged FLIM images.

29 Plasma Physics http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research/plasma Head of Group: shows the plasma flowing from a Laser Produced Plasmas as a Professor S. J. Rose coiled wire has a wavelength deter- Compact Particle Accelerator mined by the coil, whilst that in the The group is involved in all of the adjacent straight wire has a “natural” Z. Najmudin, A. E. Dangor, S. Mangles, major research areas of laboratory wavelength of 0.5mm. This change in L. Willingale, C. Kamperidis, S. Nagel, plasma physics. These include wavelength is also seen in 3D MHD C. Bellei, C. Palmer, A. Rehman magnetic confinement fusion, laser simulations from the GORGON code plasma interactions, high energy developed within the group. High intensity laser produced plasmas density plasmas (including Inertial are capable of accelerating particles Confinement Fusion), dusty plasmas, Laboratory Experiments to Simulate to high energies over very short and plasma astrophysics. Astrophysical Jets distances. Our group was the first Wire Array Z-pinch Experiments S. V. Lebedev, A. Ciardi, F. Suzuki- to demonstrate that mono-energetic Vidal, A. Marocchino, S. N. Bland, electron beams could be produced S.V. Lebedev, J.P. Chittenden, G. N. Hall, A. Harvey-Thompson, by this method (Nature 2004). S.N. Bland, S.C. Bott, G.N. Hall, J. P. Chittenden Recently, we have been able to A. Harvey-Thompson, J. Palmer, demonstrate that the laser beam is F. Suzuki-Vidal, M. G. Haines able to drive the accelerating structure, called a wakefield, over a distance The implosion of a wire array z-pinch greater than the length over which it releases huge bursts of X-ray radiation would normally propagate because suitable for heating ICF experiments. it is constrained from defocusing by The stability of these implosions, and the wakefield. As the beam propagates hence the level X-ray emission, depends it changes from being circular in cross upon how the wires in the array are section to being slightly elliptical, which ablated prior to implosion. indicates that the electron beam is On the MAGPIE facility we discovered initially generated behind the laser that the ablation of the wires in an beam but as it accelerates moves array has a characteristic perturbation, forward, it gains energy from the which is usually uncorrelated between electric field of the laser. Broadband neighbouring wires. We have developed radiation, meanwhile, is emitted a technique to control the wavelength transverse to the motion of the of these perturbations by modifying electrons when they are initially the topology of the magnetic field Figure 2. XUV image of magnetically trapped and accelerated. using coiled wires. This has allowed driven jet propagating in ambient plasma. more control over the subsequent implosion of the array and may lead Studies of plasma jets driven by the to increases in X-ray power. Fig 1 pressure of a toroidal magnetic field in configurations similar to the “magnetic tower” models of astrophysical jets have been extended to include the Figure 3. Examples of stable electron generation of episodic jets. Here 19 -3 spectra (at ne = 2.0 x 10 cm ) several magnetic tower jet eruptions can be created in a single experiment Experiments relevant to laser on MAGPIE. Fig. 2 shows XUV image Fusion Studies of an episodic jet propagating through ambient argon gas. The cavity is Z. Najmudin, A. E. Dangor, S. Mangles, formed by the coalescence of the bow L. Willingale, C. Kamperidis, S. Nagel, shocks from several early jet episodes, C. Bellei, C. Palmer, A. Rehman and inside this cavity the next tower jet with a well collimated magnetically We have studied the physics of confined core is seen. Experiments neighboring laser produced plasmas, suggest that this scenario could be such as those generated by the Figure 1 a) Laser probing image of 2 relevant to variability seen in astro- multiple beam heating systems in ablating wires – one coiled, one straight - physical jets. Computer modelling of ICF experiments. Each laser – in 8 wire array. b) 3D MHD simulation of plasma flow around one coil – green is a these experiments using 3-D laboratory target interaction produces a plume density contour of 0.08kgm-3, blue plasma and astrophysical codes is of plasma with an azimuthal magnetic 0.016kgm-3. in progress. field. We have made the first measure-

30 ments of magnetic reconnection background plasma and the between the magnetic fields of adjacent filamentary structures induced by plasma plumes. The reconnection the Weibel instability. results in extraneous heating of a Presently we are benchmarking collision region far separated from existing models against experiments, the laser sources that could affect to ensure that the models capture all the illumination and symmetry of the important physics while making ICF targets. suitable approximations to scale to ignition. Another area of research has been the production and transport of high current, relativistic electron beams for use in fast ignition ICF. In this Figure 5. Simulations of Magnetic field scheme, long pulse drive lasers and electron density in a laser heated compress a DT fuel capsule, then a plasma high intensity laser pulse is used to Our code, IMPACT, has recently been produce an e-beam that provides parallelized for use on the College’s sufficient energy to ignite the fuel. high power computing facility, allowing We have measured the transport of complex systems to be investigated. Figure 6: Relativistic electron density hot electrons through a solid target Hydrodynamic ion motion has been map from LSP code of a solid CH target by studying the optical radiation that added and has recently been applied containing a layer of Aluminium heated is produced when the electrons exit to experiments in which strong, by an intense laser pulse. the target. externally applied magnetic fields Modelling of Atomic Processes in were used to localize transport. We Astrophysical Plasmas found that the magnetic fields were expelled from the heated region and S. J. Rose, J. Gaffney, E. Hill were not frozen to the ion fluid motion. The effects of anisotropic electron The high intensity laser beams that pressure have also been explored are now available at a number of allowing the study of electromagnetic laboratories allow heating of solid instabilities, such as the Weibel material to temperatures of well over 6 instability, that lead to filamentation of 10 K - conditions similar to those the electron beam produced at the within the Sun. We have compared target. emission spectroscopy of thin layers buried in the solid targets with our Target Design for HiPER computer models to produce experi- R. Evans, S. J. Rose, J. P. Chittenden, mental measurements of radiative M. Dunne opacity. This unique data is then used to check and potentially HiPER is a major European laser improve stellar modelling. project aiming to produce ignition of ICF capsules with laser energies of There are many plasmas studied by only 300KJ, rather than the ~2MJ laser astrophysicists where the excitation Figure 4. Jets due to magnetic recon- systems currently under construction and ionisation is controlled by the nection (between 2 laser heated spots) (NIF in the USA, and LMJ in France). background radiation (photons) – a With energies of ~300KJ, the repet- situation conventionally described Kinetic theory and simulation of itive laser drivers required for continual by a photoionisation parameter (ξ). nanosecond laser produced plasmas energy production are also much more At Sandia, the Z generator has -1 R.J. Kingham, A.G.R. Thomas, C.P. realistic. produced ξ ~20 ergcms corre- Ridgers, J. J. Bissell The improved performance of HiPER sponding to the conditions believed is due to the use of the ‘fast ignition’ to exist around low-mass X-ray We use kinetic calculations (Vlasov- ICF scheme, which depends on the binaries. These results have allowed Fokker-Planck method), to accurately generation of high current electron models that are used to analyse model the steep temperature and beams driven by intense laser inter- spectroscopic data from satellite density gradients, large magnetic actions. This highly non-linear process observations to be checked for the fields and non-equilibrium electron requires sophisticated modeling. first time. We are now designing distributions that occur in nanosecond Figure 6, for instance, is a result experiments that will achieve ξ -1 duration high intensity laser target obtained with the LSP model and values exceeding 100 ergcms , interactions (such as those in ICF shows the pinching of the electron conditions in the accretion disks of experiments). current when it flows through a black holes.

31 Line radiation produced by plasmas Theoretical and experimental studies small-scale plasma instabilities has often been used as a diagnostic have also continued on the JET excited by pressure anisotropies of their densities and temperatures. tokamak the Worlds largest and their effect on the transport Our recent work has shown that magnetic confinement facility. properties of collisionless plasmas is measurement of the ratio of intensity Studies using Bayesian methods to being examined. of two lines may also give information improve the consistency of data Dusty Plasmas on the plasma geometry. This opens from various sources are being up the possibility of using line ratio undertaken. Also a new project on M. Coppins, M. Bacharis, J. Martin, measurements to give information on numerical modelling of highly T. Zimmermann, J. Allen the geometry of astrophysical plasmas radiative JET plasmas, using multi- where spatial resolution is not possible. fluid transport codes, has commenced Dusty plasmas - plasmas containing We are testing our theories using and a project on using neural network small solid particles – support many laser produced plasmas, and then methods to predict transitions in unique physical phenomena. They will use our techniques to analyse energy transport regimes is continuing. occur naturally throughout space, data from satellite observations. and are important in fusion and Plasma Turbulence in Astrophysical, industry. We do theory and simulation Magnetic Confinement Fusion Space and Fusion Plasmas Experiments and Theory on basic dust-plasma interactions A. A. Schekochihin, I. G. Abel, and dust in Tokamaks. T. Hender, I. Abel, M. Coppins, S. C. Cowley, W. Dorland, One project concerns the effect of a S. Cowley, O. Ford, W. Fundamenski, E. G. Highcock, A. B. Iskakov, magnetic field on the floating E. Highcock, M-D. Hua, M. Lilley, N. F. Loureiro, F. Rincon, M. S. Rosin, potential of a dust grain. As a first A. Meakins, D. Moulton, A. Schekochihin, T. A. Yousef stage we have studied a 1-D model, S. Tallents, D. Temple, M. Windridge with a magnetic field at an oblique Most of the plasma in the Universe angle to an infinite wall. We find that On MAST – the Mega Ampere Spherical (be it clusters of galaxies, stars, or the structure of the boundary Tokamak - studies aimed at under- laboratory based) is in a turbulent depends on the relative importance standing edge flows using Langmuir- state. Turbulence is a stochastic of collisions and the magnetic field type probes have continued and a fluid motion (and, in the case of (measured by the ion Hall parameter, new area on measuring internal flows plasma turbulence, also stochastic ωτ). For low ωτ (negligible magnetic associated with transport barriers fluctuations of the electric and field) an orthodox presheath forms has commenced. Computational magnetic fields) in a broad range of in the quasineutral plasma. When studies of the stability of the MAST scales. This arises because typically the magnetic field is strong (i.e., plasma to vertical instabilities, and the sources of energy in turbulent high ωτ), however, we observe the the attendant ‘halo’ currents that flow systems are at large, often system- formation of a distinct region between into vessel structures, show reasonable size, scales at which instabilities or the electrostatic presheath and the agreement with experimental measure- stirring occur, while dissipation of wall. In this region, which we refer to ments. In the past year theoretical this energy into heat happens at as the Chodura layer, the ions are research has focused on under- small, microphysical scales (particle deflected from the magnetic field standing the impact of energetic mean free path, Larmor radii). and towards the wall. particles. Methods used to heat the Theory of plasma turbulence can plasma, such as Neutral Beam Injection thus be viewed as a theory of energy (NBI), create a population of highly transport and is of great practical energetic ions which can interact importance. For example turbulent with the bulk thermal plasma. Such (or "anomalous") heat transport in interactions can result in instabilities, tokamaks hinders plasma confinement such as CAEs (fig. 7), which can be and constitutes a major obstacle to used to diagnose various plasma progress towards fusion energy. parameters. We are currently working on a number of projects aiming to understand turbulence in astrophysical, space and fusion plasmas. MHD simula- tions and gyrokinetic simulations of magnetised plasma turbulence Figure 8: shows profiles of n (number φ found in fusion plasmas and the density), (potential), and components "dissipation-range" physics of the of ion velocity across the plasma. The wall is at the right hand side, and the solar wind are being performed. The Chodura layer is labelled X . dynamo effect present in the sun, CE galaxies and galaxy clusters is being Figure 7: CAE instabilities seen in the studied, as is magnetic reconnection. spectra of a pick-up coil on MAST Also, the nonlinear evolution of

32 Quantum Optics and Laser Science http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research/qols Head of Group: systems is what happens after a Professor J. P. Marangos We have continued the development quench, a sudden alteration of system of the weighted graph state approach parameters, and whether such a many- The research mission of the QOLS to the description of quantum-many- body system relaxes to a thermal group is to carry out basic science body systems that is capable of state. For an experimentally relevant using lasers and to investigate, utilise describing systems in higher spatial instance in this context, we could and control photonic and material dimensions which may, in addition, rigorously prove that under such a states and processes down to the violate area laws. Such violations of quench, while the whole system quantum level. Our theory and experi- area law occur for example near preserves the memory of the initial mental teams are carrying out ground- quantum critical points, during time condition, locally the system relaxes breaking research in quantum infor- evolution and in random systems. exactly to a maximum entropy state. mation, laser dynamics, non-linear We have now unified the existing optics of ultra-short laser pulses, cold DMRG with the weighted graph state We have continued our work on condensed matter, ion trapping, the approach and applied it to numerical abstract entanglement theory. We physics of atoms confined within examples such as the simulation of demonstrated that entanglement clusters and nanostructures, and quantum algorithms. A novel unifying shared by two parties can be asymp- atomic and molecular coherence approach of variational methods to totically reversibly inter-converted when applied to non-linear optical processes. studying quantum quantum many- one considers the set of operations body systems has been proposed, which asymptotically cannot generate Last year we received an award from bringing together ideas of Wegner entanglement. This work provides a EPSRC under their Science and flow and variational methods. rigorous connection between the Innovations programme (jointly with theory of entanglement and that of Oxford and Cambridge Universities) The transmission of quantum infor- the second law of thermodynamics. to enable us to make strategic mation is described by a quantum appointments in the area of "Quantum channel where an input state is mapped Considerable progress has been made Coherence". to an output state under a completely by the group on various approaches positive map. We have been able to to building quantum computers. Quantum Information connect the study of channel capac- Within the architecture for quantum P. L. Knight, M. B. Plenio, J. Eisert, ities under correlated error to the study computation based on single photons T. Rudolph, S. Scheel, S. Barrett, of critical behaviour in many-body and linear optics we have have A. Retzker physics. The channels we study can investigated optimal procedures both for therefore display analogous behaviour the controlled construction of cluster During the last year, we have estab- to associated many-body systems, states, and for a different method which lished several new results concerning including 'phase transitions'! uses percolation theory and randomly the interface of quantum information generated cluster states. In related theory and the study of condensed We have also studied the use of work, we have also evaluated various matter systems, novel approaches quantum systems as quantum strategies for constructing cluster to quantum computing and quantum simulators. We discovered that coupled states with non-deterministic entan- simulation, new ideas of state arrays of micro-cavities may be used gling operations, by means of monte- estimation, results on the characteri- as a quantum simulator that allows carlo simulations of the cluster-growing zation, manipulation and quantification for the generation of bosonic and process. These schemes provide of entanglement, and the relationship spin-Hamiltonians. We showed that considerable resource savings over of entanglement to thermodynamics. linear optics experiments may be previous approaches. We have also simulated in ion traps and also introduced a number of novel schemes The study of quantum many-body demonstrated that Penning traps for measurement-based quantum systems using methods and ideas of may allow for the observation of computing, showing the great flexi- quantum information represented quantum phase transition associated bility one has with such schemes. one of the focal points of last year's with the change of the equilibrium Essentially only a single such model research. This concerns in particular position of the ions. We also proposed was known prior to this work. the question of the scaling of ground and studied methods for detecting A key requirement for many entanglement and entropies in the Unruh effect in a Bose-Einstein optical approaches to quantum many-body systems, and the condensate and are now exploring the computing is the ability to generate relationship of such a scaling to criti- feasibility of this idea in real experi- indistinguishable photons. However, cality and quantum phase transitions. In ments. such photons are typically generated particular, we demonstrated that by manufactured devices which are fermions and bosons exhibit a different A central question in non-equilibrium subject to imperfections. scaling behaviour. dynamics of quantum many-body We have evaluated the effect of

33 their presence have now been studied A second experiment is using the light for arbitrary linearly responding materials polar molecule LiH, with a goal of and has led to a unified QED in linear producing a molecular Bose-Einstein media at rest. condensate. To do this, the LiH molecules will be decelerated in an In quantum , the intensity electrostatic decelerator and cooled and phase of a field are not simulta- via collisions with laser cooled Li atoms. neously defined with perfect precision. We have made important strides in The state of a laser – a building the pieces of this exper- – is the best possible state for simul- iment and have recently observed taneously defining these quantities. the first decelerated LiH molecules. We have studied the roles played by the coherent state in the control and We have two atom-chip projects manipulation of a quantum system, currently underway in our lab, one focussing on issues such as manip- based on current-carrying wires and ulation of the coherent state as an one based on permanently magne- optical running field or a stationary tised materials. The first project is field, exploration of the boundary designed to coherently split and between quantum and classical worlds recombine a single Bose-Einstein using coherent states and investi- condensate to perform interfero- gation of the origin of the power of metric measurements. The second, Figure 1: Ramsey interference signals coherent states as a resource in a permanent-magnet based atom in YbF, an interesting three level quantum technology chip, uses commercially available system. The signals are plotted versus videotape in order to prepare and the rf frequency and also as a function Cold Condensed Matter manipulate long, thin cold atomic of magnetic field in nT. (a) Theoretical E. Hinds, B. Sauer, J. Hudson, samples. We are presently working signal, scaled to have the same M. Tarbutt towards the study of low-dimensional amplitude as the experimental result. gases trapped near the surface of (b) Measured Ramsey interference, in Research in CCM focuses on the our atom chip, as well as on atom excellent agreement with the theory. experimental control and under- transport. Related work has focused such imperfections in single-photon standing of elementary quantum on integrating fibers, cavities and interference effects and shown that systems. Work with ultracold atoms pyramidal arrays with these “atom problems due to frequency mismatch explores both their collective behaviour chips”. We have produced plano- can be overcome, provided suffi- and the interaction of atoms with light concave micro-cavities with high ciently fast detectors are available, and surfaces. We are also developing finesse consisting of a spherical and also that high fidelity quantum novel techniques to manipulate cold reflector etched into a Si wafer and operations can be achieved by molecules and use precision measure- a single mode fiber with a high carefully manipulating the temporal ments with cold molecules to probe reflectivity coating on its tip. We are wavepackets of the emitted photons. fundamental interactions at the GeV working to integrate this device onto an energy scales. atom chip for the detection of single The interface between solid-state atoms. A pair of tapered end fibers systems and atomic samples hosts a Several exciting results have grown can also be used for atom detection. variety of phenomena that are due to out of research in the Centre for Cold The light exiting one fiber is focused to quantum fluctuations. These fluctua- Matter, from both cold atom and from a beam waist of a few microns, making tions are modified by the presence of cold molecule experiments. The it possible to detect very low atom the solid-state/vacuum interface and latter has focussed on the YbF numbers by collecting the light into they give rise to dispersion forces and molecule, as it has exquisite sensitivity the second fiber. We are also devel- various decoherence phenomena. to time reversal violation arising from We have studied atomic decoherence an electric dipole moment (edm) of effects near superconducting surfaces the electron. We have developed new that are due to residual unscreened techniques to measure the electric and thermal fluctuations in bulk super- magnetic fields in the apparatus using conductors or due to vortex noise in the YbF molecules themselves. These two-dimensional structures. We also allow us to make extraordinarily precise investigated the effects of Casimir- measurements of the fields with mm- Polder forces on trap design using scale spatial resolution. Characterisation current-carrying carbon nanotubes. of the fields at this level allows us to The modifications of quantum fluctu- control subtle systematic effects ation near solid-state objects and the Figure 2: The decelerator used to which mimic time reversal violation. slow down beams of weak-field- electromagnetic field in seeking LiH molecules.

34 oping a novel method for creating an identical to those obtained under PSSD. array of laser cooled atomic samples Maxwell-solver techniques were used on a single “atom chip”. We have to study carrier wave self-steepening, etched a series of square based with particular regard to the effect of pyramids ranging in size from 20 mm dispersion in impeding the formation to 1 mm into a silicon substrate, of steepened profiles. We worked on creating an array of magneto-optical the practical application of carrier self- traps. We are investigating the most steepened (CSS) waveforms for efficient conditions for collecting enhancing high-harmonic generation atoms into these pyramid traps. (HHG), concentrating on the synthesis of CSS-like waveforms formed from a Ion Trapping Figure 4 : Pad structure for new prototype trap. subset of the harmonic components in D. Segal, R. Thompson Penning traps. Our work this year has a true CSS pulse. It emerged that concentrated on two aspects. Firstly sawtooth shaped profiles are ideal We are currently involved in two major we have, for the first time, imaged two- candidates for HHG, and that profiles projects, both of which employ the ion ‘Coulomb crytals’ in a Penning trap. containing only 4 or 5 harmonics provide Penning trap. This is a device which We have shown that we can manip- substantial HHG enhancement. We also holds charged particles, atomic ions ulate these structures forcing them to simulated a recently reported technique in our case, at a well defined position line up either along the symmetry axis for the stabilisation of carrier envelope away from the walls of an evacuated of the trap or perpendicular to it (see phase (CEP), and showed how it can chamber in an almost perturbation figure 3). We have also designed and be used to measure absolute CEP. free environment. The first project is built a novel Penning trap based on aimed at performing high-resolution planar sets of ‘pad’ electrodes. Figure 4 In collaboration with the Université spectroscopy of highly charged ions shows a single set of hexagonal pads de Franche-Comté in Besançon, – atoms that have had all but one milled into the surface of a piece of results from a highly refined version (or a few) of their electrons removed. vacuum compatible circuit board. In the of a late 1980s envelope technique These ions cannot be here, but require finished trap an identical set of pads were compared to PSSD simulations. the use of a particle accelerator. We opposes this set with a separation Using carrier wave shocking as a therefore do preparatory work here and between the planes of 5mm. This test case, the two methods yielded will perform the final experiments at arrangement actually makes three virtually indistinguishable results. GSI in Darmstadt, Germany. The trapping zones (in line with the three This convergence of envelope and fields experienced by an electron in small holes along the central line of Maxwell solver methods represents such a system are enormous and pads). We have proposed a technique a seminal event in the development the aim of the project is to test whereby ions may be moved in a of computational nonlinear optics. in this controlled manner between the three In other activities, we worked with in important high-field regime. In the trapping zones. We will test these house experimentalists on multi- last year we have built a trap for use ideas in the new trap array. Multiple frequency Raman generation in at GSI and have run computer trap arrays are generally seen as a hydrogen with two colour pumping. simulations of its behaviour. possible route to scaling ion-trap QIP Simulations showed good agreement up to larger numbers of quantum bits. with the experimental results where Our other project is conducted in our efficient generation of multiple own laboratories. In this project we are Novel Laser Phenomena and sidebands running from the IR to the trying to demonstrate the feasibility Nonlinear Atom and Photon Optics UV was realised. We continued to of performing quantum information G.H.C. New, P. Kinsler collaborate with the Rutherford processing (QIP) using Ca+ ions in Appleton Lab on Optical Parametric We focused on novel numerical Chirped Pulse Amplification, particu- methods for simulating the propagation larly the limitations to signal pulse and interaction of optical pulses contrast arising from temporal noise containing very few cycles. We applied on the pump. We showed that this direct Maxwell-solver techniques leads to a noise pedestal supporting (especially our Pseudo-Spectral Spatial the compressed signal, and we Domain (PSSD) method and its quantified the pedestal’s character- directional field variant) in studies of istics. We also studied the process of carrier-wave shocking and in the pulse compression using aperiodic measurement of carrier-envelope quasi-phase-matched media. A set of conditions for efficient compression Figure 3 : A pair of Ca+ ions initially phase. We compared different types of envelope approach under wideband was drawn up for the first time, and aligned perpendicular to the magnetic used to interpret experiments on field (vertical) are forced onto the axis conditions, refining them to the point second harmonic generation and by the application of a process called where the results were essentially ‘axialisation’. optical parametric processes.

35 Space and Atmospheric Physics http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research/spat

Head of Group Space Agency (ESA), its associated Professor J. D. Haigh Double Star mission led by the Chinese, and Ulysses, now in its 16th year and The Space and Atmospheric Physics recently extended. In all these we Group carries out a broad research lead the magnetometer instrument. programme that includes the solar atmosphere and solar wind, the With other ESA projects we have magnetospheres and atmospheres established a role in the Exomars of the planets, and the neutral mission, successfully led the Cross- atmosphere and oceans of the Earth. Scale proposal through to the next This we achieve through development study phase of Cosmic Vision and operation of sensitive space programme and we had major roles in (and other) instrumentation comple- Figure 1: Magnetic field vectors the successful missions Tandem and mented by programmes in theory, measured by the Cassini fluxgate Laplace to Saturn and Jupiter. We modelling and data analysis. magnetometer. The changes in the lead a major consortium to provide direction of the field define one of the the magnetometer for the planned Planetary Physics lobes of Titan's induced magnetic tail, solar/interplanetary mission, Solar M. Dougherty, M. Galand, I. Mueller- where Cassini plasma instruments Orbiter. Wodarg observed fluxes of particles escaping from the moon. Cassini MAG data was Within the Earth's magnetosphere, a essential to characterize the properties Planetary research continues to focus “magnetic reconnection” process of these particles. on the successful Cassini mission to drives space storms and deposits Saturn. Highlights this year include and estimation of the rate, of ions energetic particles in the auroral discoveries inside and outside the escaping from Titan along Saturn’s regions. Cluster and other space- magnetosphere of Saturn and unique magnetic field lines which are draped craft revealed interplanetary recon- observations from Titan, Saturn’s around the moon. (Fig. 1). nection signatures implying a process largest moon, and the only one with that lasts hours rather than seconds. a dense “Earth-like” atmosphere. We have constructed the first empirical We revealed two distinct magnetic model of Titan’s upper atmosphere waves at the edges of these events: Magnetic field observations upstream which shows densities increasing by a mode aligned with the magnetic of Saturn’s bow shock led to the almost a factor of two between the field (black crosses in Fig. 2) and discovery of Hot Flow Anomalies equator and the North Pole, revealing another propagating away from the (expanding cavities of heated, the existence of strong zonal jets. newly heated plasma (red circles). deflected solar wind plasma). We Our planetary ionospheric modelling The field-aligned wave should be have discovered substorms on the work has highlighted the critical role detectable at a larger distance as a night side of Saturn resulting from which the magnetic field line config- remote diagnostic. This opens new magnetic reconnection within the uration in the vicinity of this moon plays possibilities for further studies of this planet’s magnetotail. This is a in processes within the atmosphere. fundamental energy release fundamental physical process which We are Supporting Investigators on mechanism in the otherwise rather can now be compared and contrasted the Venus Express mission investi- quiescent interplanetary medium. at Earth, Saturn and Jupiter. gating the structure of the upper atmosphere of Venus. We have shown that the dominant Space Plasma Physics source for Saturn’s E ring is outgassing from the icy moon Enceladus and A. Balogh, P. J. Cargill, C. M. Carr, revealed that it has a major effect on R. J. Forsyth, T. S. Horbury, E. Lucek, the magnetic field of Saturn, causing F. P. Pijpers, S. J. Schwartz it to fall behind the rotation of the planet. The existence of water and This area is devoted to hardware, hydrocarbons suggests Enceladus science exploitation, and theoretical as a place to search for life in the modelling of plasmas in space, solar system and we have found that including the atmosphere of the Sun, Figure 2: Wave energy plotted in 3D k- two of the other icy moons, Tethys the interplanetary medium, and the interaction of these with the Earth's vector space. The background magnetic and Dione, also act as sources of field direction (black line) and magnetosphere. Current missions out-flowing material. normal to the discontinuity at the edge include the unique multi-spacecraft of the reconnection exhaust ndisc (red We also made the first detection, Cluster mission of the European line) are shown for reference.

36 Second Generation (MSG) platforms. Following the initial release of Edition 1 data to the scientific community in May 2006, we have now established a climate quality data record extending from March 2004-May 2007.

The availability of the GERB data has prompted an array of scientific studies. Selected highlights include an analysis using GERB measure- ments in conjunction with output from the climateprediction.net experiment, designed to explore the uncertainty in future climate change predictions Figure 3. Layout of the Shell-ATM by performing very large perturbed- model in the case of a coronal loop: physics ensemble simulations. The shell-models are piled up along B (top) range of model parameter values is and represent a loop, whose footpoints are anchored in the photosphere being constrained by identifying (bottom). configurations whose response to realistic climatic perturbations is We employed Cluster's unique consistent with the GERB observations. configuration to study the anisotropy We have also developed methods to Figure 5: Wide-angle infrared image of of turbulence in the magnetised determine both the longwave and a cumulus cloud field against background sky. The horizon can be interplanetary plasma. We have made shortwave direct radiative effect of seen along the bottom of the image, the first ever unambiguous determi- Saharan dust by combining the broad- nation of this anisotropy, free from and pixel colour indicates thermal band fluxes from GERB with spectra brightness temperature. model assumptions about both the from the SEVIRI instrument, also turbulence and the flow/plasma flying on MSG. monitoring clouds from the ground properties. The anisotropies also have has been developed using a important implications for the propa- Applying these methods to the satellite commercially available thermal gation and transport of high energy data allows the derivation of a time infrared camera. This combines the cosmic rays through the solar system. resolved record of both dust loading rapid imaging power of a traditional and its radiative impact (Fig. 4), digital camera with the ability to make We have studied the magnetic potentially crucial parameters for thermal measurements day and properties of the solar atmosphere in future climate change. We are now night (Fig. 5). We have developed order to understand the mechanisms linking the satellite measurements to new methods for identifying cloud responsible for the large increase in spectral measurements recorded at a cover across the whole sky which temperature from the photosphere Sub-Saharan surface site, which show allows for a flexible and self consistent up to the solar corona. We have a distinctive dust spectral signature. approach to cloud detection. We can developed a model for turbulent A novel system for automatically also measure directly for the first heating which is coupled to our non- time the cloud base brightness equilibrium models of magnetic loop temperature. During Spring 2007 the stratification (Fig. 3). This unique camera was deployed at the Met tool yields parameters that can be Office, Cardington, allowing us to confronted with recent data, e.g. test and refine system performance from the HINODE spacecraft. Initial against data from laser pointing results suggest that turbulence can instruments. The results are being be responsible for significant energy used to quantify the surface radiative input to the chromosphere. impact of clouds and to suggest improvements to cloud schemes in Earth Observation weather and climate models. The H. E. Brindley, J. E. Harries, Met Office is interested in this J. E. Russell, R. Toumi Figure 4: Top row: Monthly mean technology for use in their weather instantaneous cloud-free aerosol optical observing system. The main focus in Earth Observation depth derived from SEVIRI for March from satellites continues to be our (left), April (middle) and May (right) lead in the successful Geostationary 2006; Bottom row: Corresponding Earth Radiation Budget (GERB) monthly mean instantaneous cloud- experiment flying on the Meteosat free aerosol shortwave direct radiative effect derived from GERB observations.

37 Climate Modelling effect between the vertical propagation of baroclinic eddies (waves on the A. Czaja, J. D. Haigh scale of weather patterns) and the mean atmospheric circulation. We We have been implementing a new have also shown, by mapping the model (FORTE) of the interaction signals onto the two leading modes between the atmosphere and the of variability in the troposphere, that ocean. It has a full dynamical core, different processes are important in representing the weather and ocean driving the evolution of the response currents, but simplified parameteri- on different timescales. zations for radiation, clouds, and Instrumentation Development ocean mixing. It is sufficiently efficient Figure 7: TAFTS interferometer that long simulations can be performed A. Balogh, C. M. Carr, J. E. Harries, assembly: input and beamsplitter to test theoretical hypotheses. We J. Pickering polarisers (P’); retro-reflector mirror have configured the model in an scan unit (RT). aquaplanet geometry to investigate Many of the group's activities are The group has a long history of how the intensity and number of underpinned by major hardware leading magnetometer instruments storms might change as a result of involvement in large space projects, for space research. Looking to future global warming. While maintaining and there are a number of other missions, where the emphasis will be pronounced ocean - atmosphere research areas that require continual on low mass low power, we are devel- interactions in low latitudes (Fig.6) instrumentation development. oping new measurement techniques the response of the model should be using miniaturised electronics and easier to understand than the top- TAFTS is a far-infrared (FIR) Fourier digital signal processing. For fluxgate end climate models. Transform Spectrometer (FTS) in sensors we continue to work closely which an incoming beam is split not with our industrial partner, Ultra by amplitude, as in a conventional Electronics Ltd. We have forged new FTS, but by polarisation. It was collaborations on both systems and developed entirely in-house and has spacecraft engineering with EADS been successfully flown during several Astrium UK Ltd. We have also aircraft campaigns. First ever measure- completed a first stage of testing new, ments of heating rates, water vapour commercially available, solid-state continuum absorption, and other sensors. Through a series of student effects in the important FIR region projects we have been exploring have been published. We are re- access to space via CubeSats, each developing and improving the beam a 10 cm cube with a maximum mass splitter, changing the mirror scan drive of 1 kg. These combine public outreach Figure 6: Snapshots of 1st January system and will improve the photo- potential with a platform to test solid fields from a multi-annual run of the conductor detectors (Fig. 7). state sensors and spacecraft FORTE model. Top: precipitation electromagnetic cleanliness (mm/day), a pronounced belt of rainfall Four GERB instruments are scheduled techniques. We have recently lies around 10°S, feeding the extra- to fly on the MSG operational satellites, tropical storms further poleward. Bottom: commissioned a state-of-the-art due to continue until at least 2019. oceanic temperature at 1000 m (K, calibration facility that will be used departure from the latitude average), the The first two are in orbit and the data for future instruments. variability reflects more intense ocean- are making a major contribution to atmosphere coupling at low latitudes. climate research. In order to make Our high resolution spectroscopy sure that accurate observations laboratory has a unique visible- We have been studying the impact continue into the future we have vacuum ultraviolet FTS. We study of changes in the stratosphere on the been discussing opportunities with atomic and molecular spectra of lower atmosphere using a simplified space agencies and others. Two importance for planetary atmos- model designed to investigate developments are of particular interest: pheres and astrophysics. We have processes. We find that changes to firstly the US ‘Decadal Survey’ which made the first high resolution stratospheric temperatures (produced plans both broad band and spectrally measurements of SO2 photo- by e.g. enhanced absorption of solar resolved radiation measurements; absorption cross sections at low UV radiation) lead to changes in the secondly a privately funded constel- temperature (198K), for applications strength and position of the mid- lation (IRIDIUM) of 66 tele coms to studies of Io and Venus, and of latitude tropospheric jets, with the satellites on which it may prove doubly ionised iron group element distribution of the stratospheric possible to mount radiometers, spectra for interpretation of hot star perturbation determining the precise offering exciting prospects of a new spectra. nature of the response. We have level of well sampled climate data. discovered an important feedback

38 Theoretical Physics http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research/theory

Head of Group Cosmology and Quantum Field implemented an alternative “model Professor C. M. Hull Theory selection” approach. A comparison to Gaussian isotropic simulations The work of the Theoretical Physics C. R. Contaldi, T. S. Evans, finds the features significant at the Group covers a wide range of research H. F. Jones, T. W. B. Kibble, 94-98% level, depending on the areas bound together by the theme of J. Magueijo, A. Rajantie, R. J. Rivers, particular AOE model. fundamental questions in cosmology, T. Wiseman; N. Bevis, A. Niarchou, , particle physics, and quantum F. Stoica It is now accepted that primordial theory. fluctuations are close to being scale- Cosmology links together the research invariant. It is generally believed that Prof. was appointed as of the group: fundamental physics will their origin is quantum fluctuations the new Head of Group during 2007, be tested by making cosmological seeded during inflation. Contaldi and replacing Prof. Kelly Stelle who was predictions and cosmology needs co-workers calculated perturbations thanked for 5 years of service. The fundamental physics to address out- in anisotropic models of inflation which Group welcomed new faculty members, standing questions. Cosmology is an may yield an explanation of anomalies Dr Toby Wiseman as Lecturer and experimental subject and as more observed in the CMB such as the Dr Ami Hanany as Reader, strength- detailed data arrive on cosmic axis of evil and other non-gaussian ening our expertise in General microwave background (CMB) correlations in the anisotropies. Relativity, Cosmology, String Theory fluctuations and Large Scale Structure Rajantie and a co-worker showed, and . (LSS) surveys, our work continues using nonlinear lattice simulations, in testing the detailed predictions of that pre-heating after inflation can Our activity continues to benefit from a number of cosmological models. produce highly non-Gaussian the Geometry and String Theory curvature perturbations. This programme at the Mathematical We continued work on CMB data important work can be used to test Institute, which brings many visitors analysis in the light of the second and constrain inflationary models. to the Group. release of WMAP data. Magueijo re- examined the evidence for a preferred The widespread belief in inflation is The group organised the 13th axis in the CMB fluctuations - the due in part to a lack of alternative International Symposium in Particles, so-called “axis of evil” (AOE). He and models. Thus, it is very important to Strings and Cosmology (PASCOS) at a co-worker made the important consider alternative proposals and Imperial, 2-7 July 2007. The meeting discovery that previous statistics are Contaldi and Magueijo have been concluded with a one day event not robust with respect to the data- investigating Jim Peeble’s old idea celebrating the 50th anniversary of sets available and different treatments that thermal fluctuations could be Nobel Laureate Abdus Salam’s of the galactic plane. They identified more “natural”. It’s known that one arrival at Imperial College. the cause of the instability and needs to invoke new physics to render thermal scenarios viable and this has been investigated using ideas of holography and loop quantum gravity. A model in which the energy and entropy are mildly sub-extensive and Einstein gravity remains valid was shown by Magueijo to produce a very red spectrum of vacuum quantum fluctuations, but to have the potential to produce near-scale invariant thermal fluctuations.

On the observational front Contaldi continued to participate in a number of important CMB experimental collaborations, leading the analysis and interpretation of a number of highly successful sub-orbital CMB experiments. This work culminated in the publishing of some of the first CMB polarisation detections by the Figure 1: Prof. speaking at Imperial at PASCOS 2007 CBI and Boomerang experiments

39 and new small scale measurements Jones continued work on non-Hermitian formalism to study a semiclassical by the ACBAR telescope. PT symmetric Hamiltonians. He studied quantization of superstrings in AdS5 x the interaction with standard Hermitian S5 space-time and has very success- Our research in non-perturbative Hamiltonians, showing that the energy fully applied it to the sector of string aspects of quantum field theory covers becomes complex if the coupling is states where several of the quantum a wide range of applications from stronger than some critical value and numbers are large. The relation with particle physics and cosmology to highlighted the conceptual issues in spin-chains and their field-theory effective theories of condensed matter scattering from localised non Hermitian limits led to crucial new results on systems and quantum gravity, and has potentials. the integrability of and connections with the theory of complex the dual string theory. networks via mean field theory. Evans studied evolving networks with a constant number of edges, modelled Supersymmetric solutions of super- The physics of topological defects using a rewiring process. Such models gravity and string theory have played a was a focus and we continued to are closely related to Urn models central role in many major develop- lead research on the physics and used for example in quantum gravity ments in string theory. Gauntlett and phenomenology of cosmic strings. and glasses. He found the full mean Waldram developed powerful field equation for the degree distrib- techniques, based on the mathematics Kibble and co-workers studied the ution and gave its exact solution and of “G-structures”, that can be used dynamics of cosmic strings, especially generating solution, also showing that to classify supersymmetric solutions. those that form junctions, such as the numerical simulations give excellent This work has many applications to (p,q) strings predicted by some string agreement to the analytic results. AdS/CFT, flux compactifications and theories. The kinematical constraints black hole physics, and their on the formation of bound states and String Theory and Quantum Field methods have been widely adopted junctions have been derived analytically Theory by groups around the world. Gauntlett and are in good agreement with M. Duff, J. P. Gauntlett, A. Hanany, has made progress in classifying AdS numerical investigations of junction C. M. Hull, K. S. Stelle, A. A. Tseytlin, backgrounds that arise in type IIB formation in the underlying field theory. D. Waldram, T. Wiseman, E. Antonyan, supergravity from wrapped D3- Rivers is part of an experimental J. Bedford, D. Belov, B. Feng, S. Kim, branes. He also clarified the geomet- team studying the implications of O. MacConamhna, D. Martel li, R. Ricci, rical underpinnings of one specific causality for defect production in B. Stefanski, N. Suryanarayana, M. Wolf interesting class of solutions. analogue condensed matter systems. Gauntlett and Stelle obtained results Superstring theory is now understood on the consistency of Kaluza- Klein Rajantie and Stoica investigated the to arise from the more fundamental reductions. behaviour of (p,q) string networks, M-theory, in which strings are accom- modelling more realistic (p,q) string panied by higher dimensional extended String compactifications with flux have networks than the ZN networks used objects, called branes. A very important been used recently to construct string so far and investigating the effect of discovery is that quantum gravity and backgrounds relevant for particle long-range interactions on the evolution quantum field theory are different physics phenomenology. Waldram of the network. They observed that in facets of a single structure. For showed how the properties of the 4d the absence of long-range interactions example, the AdS/CFT correspondence effective theory are encoded in the the formation of bound states has a relates conformal quantum field theory “generalised geometry” of the compact significant influence on the evolution of to string theory propagating on Anti space, giving insights into mirror the network, whereas when long- de-Sitter (AdS) spacetime. This has symmetry with fluxes and “non- range interactions are turned on the revolutionised our understanding of geometric” back-grounds, and bound states become negligible. strongly coupled quantum field theories provides a large class of new particle and it may lead to an analytic physics models. Hull and Waldram description of the strong-coupling extended generalised geometry to dynamics of QCD, solving a major formulate M-theory and type II string outstanding problem in high energy backgrounds with flux. theory. We have made many key discoveries in the AdS/CFT corre- It is important to understand regimes spondence. of string theory in which familiar concepts of low-energy supergravity One important line of investigation do not apply and in which M-theory by Tseytlin, focused on new solvable is very different from field theory. regimes of string theory, providing Indeed, generic solutions of string new insights into the AdS/CFT theory are not conventional geometries. correspondence that go beyond the Hull has done pioneering work on Figure 2: A network of (p,q) cosmic strings formed during a phase transition supergravity approximation and involve “non-geometric” string backgrounds in the early universe. the non-BPS sector. He developed a in which string duality symmetries 40 play a central role and are used in Sum-Over-Histories framework. The transition functions, so that string new interpretation allows for a winding modes and brane wrapping physical property of a system and modes enter on the same footing as the complementary property both to geometry. be false: a very specific breakdown of classical rules of inference. Hanany made progress in under- standing very large classes of Some of the interesting outstanding supersymmetric gauge theories. He problems in quantum theory concern proposed a programme for system- situations in which time appears in a atically counting the single and non-trivial way. In the one-dimensional multi-trace gauge invariant operators version of the arrival time problem, of a gauge theory. Key to this is the Figure 3: The Fano plane. Each of the one considers an initial plethystic function and he illustrated seven vertices A, B, C, D, E, F and G concentrated in the region x > 0 and the power of this programme for represents a qubit (Alice, Bob, Charlie, consisting entirely of negative world-volume quiver gauge theories Daisy, Emma, Fred and George) and momenta. The question is then to of D-branes probing Calabi-Yau each of the seven lines ABD, BCE, find the probability that the particle singularities, revealing an intimate CDF, DEG, EFA, FGB and GAC crosses the origin in a fixed time. web of relations between the geometry describes a tripartite entanglement. The quantum analysis is not trivial, and the gauge theory. simulations of large N super Yang- due in part to the fact that the usual Mills at finite machinery of quantum measurement Duff established an intriguing corre- temperature. The first simulations refers to fixed moments of time and spondence between the entropy of were performed in the 4 super- not to measurements distributed certain four-dimensional supersym- charge theory as a warm-up over an interval of time. Halliwell metric black holes in string theory and exercise to the 16 supercharge case used the decoherent histories entanglement measures in quantum which has a holographic dual. approach to analyse these issues. information theory. In the simplest Wiseman also developed techniques example, he showed that the entropy to solve the Einstein equations A long-term interest of Isham is the of N = 2 black holes shares some numerically, using Ricci flow to application of topos theory to problems features of the tripartite entanglement construct numerical Kaehler metrics in quantum gravity and the founda- of three qubits (2-state systems), on del Pezzo surfaces. tions of quantum theory. The goal of where the common symmetry is [S the programme is to develop a L(2)]3 . This was generalised to black Quantum Gravity and the fundamentally new way of building holes in other supergravity theories, Foundations of Quantum Mechanics theories of physics and Isham and with duality-invariant structures H. F. Dowker, J. J. Halliwell, Doering made significant progress. playing a key role. C. J. Isham; A. Doering, D. Rideout, A basic contention is that constructing K. Savvidou, A. Valentini a theory of physics is equivalent to Brane world models, where at least finding a representation in a topos of some of the standard model fields The problem of quantum gravity, how a certain formal language that is are localised on a brane, provide an to find a unified framework for all of attached to the system. Classical interesting framework for studying physics including gravity, is a common physics arises when the topos is the phenomenology and cosmology in thread throughout the work of the category of sets and other types of M-theory. Stelle showed that Horava- group. As well as String Theory, we theory employ a different topos. Witten/Randall-Sundrum spacetimes work on other approaches to quantum can be stable, despite the presence gravity which are intertwined with of negative-tension branes. He also the problem of the interpretation of obtained results on supersymmetry quantum mechanics, a focus in its breaking, finding in particular an own right. unexpected type of supersymmetry breaking in sphere reductions. Dowker investigated a new proposal for an interpretation of quantum Wiseman studied deconfinement mechanics based on the Sum-Over- phase transitions in large N gauge Histories formulation which purports theories on compact spaces using to be “realist” and applicable to both analytic and numerical lattice quantum gravity. The standard methods. It is possible that such refutation of non-contextual realist investigations will help to find a interpretations is the Kochen-Specker robust holographic dual for physics theorem and Dowker and a co- studied at the Heavy Ion Collider worker showed how to implement RHIC. He carried out novel lattice the Kochen-Specker antimony in a

41 Undergraduate Teaching http://www.imperial.ac.uk/physics/courses/ug

Director of Undergraduate Studies: some voluntary, but most being those Theoretical Physics degrees. All Professor R. C. Thompson who do not achieve the requirement programmes include a research Senior Tutor: Dr R. J. Forsyth for an average mark of around 60% project (normally in the final year), (Prof R. Murray from Sept 2007) at the end of the MSci second year. which may be experimental, compu- Admissions Tutor: The BSc in Physics with Theoretical tational or theoretical. Professor G. Parry FREng Physics has relatively few students, but it is invaluable for some overseas Much physics is taught in a non- In October 2007 we welcomed 238 students who find funding four years mathematical way in schools, but new students onto our undergraduate a problem. BSc programmes are advanced study at University level programmes. This brought the total suitable for students who want to requires a solid foundation in mathe- undergraduate population up to 729, take a specialist MSc course after matics, so a large part of the first making us one of the largest Physics graduating, or who intend to move year is spent learning the mathe- departments in the country. out of physics when they have matical tools and techniques Applications have increased by about completed their degree (for example, necessary for a full treatment of the 25% for the last two years, since the in order to pursue careers in finance physics. The first term starts with introduction of top-up fees, and in or IT). The four-year BSc in Physics an induction week, followed by a 2006 and 2007 virtually every new with Studies in Musical Performance two-week Foundation Mathematics student had 3 As at A level. (administered jointly with the Royal course, which reviews A-level College of Music) is unique, and mathematics and makes sure that Degree Programmes attracts small numbers of exceptional everyone starts off at the same level. Students are enrolled onto one of six candidates who are well qualified in After this, the main physics and programmes of three or four years’ both disciplines. mathematics courses start in earnest. duration leading to an MSci or BSc Admissions Alongside the lectures, students have degree. During our centenary year classworks, tutorials and seminars as of 2007, the College gained its There were 1232 applications for an well as around 6 hours of laboratory independence from the University of undergraduate place in the physics work each week. London, and from 2008 we will be department with entry in October awarding our own degrees. The 2007. Of these, 77% were from the In the second year, there is less degree structure allows easy transfer UK, 11% from the rest of Europe mathematics and more concentration between most of the programmes in and 12% from overseas. The on classical and quantum physics in the early years. increase in applications in recent the lectures. There is a choice of a years has made the admissions physics or mathematics option or a MSci Programmes process more difficult, and a 4% language course. The third year All three of our MSci degrees are four increase in the acceptance rate completes the core of physics and year programmes. The MSci in brought us a record intake of 238. students can choose from a wide Physics is by far the most popular, The percentage of women students range of physics options and can with most students registering initially was 25%, an encouraging also take a humanities or business on this programme. The MSci improvement, but still short of where school course. Students on the MSci programmes in Physics with a Year in we would like it to be. Of the home degrees have the opportunity to take Europe, and Physics with Theoretical students, 46% came from advanced physics options in their Physics supply more specialist needs, Comprehensive Schools or 6th form final year, alongside their major and attract steady numbers. MSci Colleges, 18% from Grammar research project. programmes are intended mainly for Schools and 36% from Independent Lecture courses those people who intend to follow a Schools. For the last two years, career path within physics, but they almost all our offers have been AAA Much of our teaching is based on are also suitable for anyone else who at A level or equivalent. traditional lectures, supported by wants to have the opportunity to classworks and by small group Structure of the Degree Programmes study advanced topics in their degree. seminars and tutorials. The high The basic structure of the degree standard of our lecturing is regularly BSc Programmes programmes is two years of core recognised in the College’s Teaching We offer two three-year BSc physics and mathematics, followed Awards. Nominations for these awards programmes in Physics and in by one or two years of advanced come from the students themselves. Physics with Theoretical Physics. options in selected areas of physics. In 2006, Dr Peter Török, Prof Ed Hinds Comparatively few people register Laboratory work forms an integral and Prof Matthew Foulkes all received initially on the ordinary BSc, but part of all programmes in the first awards, and Peter was also appointed numbers increase through transfers, two years, even for those on the to the prestigious Fellowship for

42 Teaching Innovation in a presentation the new Medical MRI & Ultrasound good . Professional skills at the College’s Commemoration Day. courses respectively, whilst Simon work continues into the later years Again in 2007, two of our lecturers, Branford and Sami Taipalus shared of the degree with workshops on Dr Tim Horbury and Dr Danny Segal, the prize for Instrumentation. writing a CV, preparing a scientific received awards principally for their Outside the Department, Elsen Tjhung talk, and an assessed essay. lecture courses on Space Physics and Keenan Zhuo won Stanley and Quantum Mechanics respectively. Raimes Memorial Prizes for their Tutorials are held in groups of 4 performance in Mathematics in 2007. students throughout the first three Changes to our lecture courses are years of the programmes. In made regularly in order to ensure tutorials it is possible to ask tutors that they remain topical. When David questions about the lecture course Larkman and Rob Eckersley (from material and problem sheets. Tutors Medical Sciences) took over our old also encourage discussion about Physics Applied to Medicine course other topics within physics to help in 2006/7, it was reborn as Medical students see the wider relevance of MRI & Ultrasound, and they integrated what they are studying. lectures with computing sessions. This combination has been used in the In the third year, when students have Computational Physics course for completed their study of the core of several years. It is a valuable method physics and have gained an overview of delivering more applied subjects, In December 2007, the Department of the whole subject, they are able to and we expect the pattern to spread was greatly honoured to welcome see how different areas of physics further in 2008-09, the main restriction Father Christmas as a guest lecturer relate to each other. Tutorials in the being availability of laboratory or on Michael Coppins’ First Year third year concentrate on preparation computing suite time. In total there are Mechanics course. This event, for the Comprehensive Examination about 10 physics options in Year 3 organised by Third Year student Papers, which test students’ ability and 13 advanced options in Year 4. Daniel Burrows, was in aid of the to tackle problems from across the Wilkins Memorial Trust, which whole spectrum of physics. This is The Audiovisual systems in all three sponsors rural community devel- a critical skill for people working as of our lecture theatres were upgraded opment, disability, income generation physicists, and employers value the in the second half of 2007. After some and educational projects in Nepal. ability of good physics graduates to irritating problems caused by over- Father Christmas showed his extra- tackle unseen problems from across heating and issues with lighting ordinary grasp of undergraduate the subject. Because we consider elsewhere were overcome, it was Physics by also giving lectures for this to be such an important skill, the agreed that the new systems offered Profs Mackinnon, Nelson, Vvedensky comprehensive examinations count a significant improvement. There is and Warren, and Drs Campbell, for a large part of that year’s marks. now a second projector onto the side Czaja, Segal and Unruh. We are screen in the main lecture theatre, most grateful to him for his startling All students are also assigned a allowing all the boards to be used generosity at what must be an excep- personal tutor who remains in contact alongside it, and visualisers in all three tionally pressured time of year. with them throughout their time at theatres which offer stunning magni- Imperial. The personal tutor monitors Tutorials and Seminars, fication. Another technological how they are getting on with the Professional Skills innovation was the introduction of course and gives advice about choice clickers into Year 1 Mechanics lectures. We understand that arriving in a class of options and career opportunities Students are asked to click their of over 200 students can be daunting as well as answering questions that answers to questions, and bar charts and impersonal, so alongside the students may have about non- of the results are displayed immedi- lectures we have other teaching academic issues. One important ately. Although not directly a teaching activities where students meet in role of the personal tutor is to be a tool, students enjoyed participating smaller groups and are able to get to referee for PhD and job applications, and the feedback on their level of know each other better. In the first sometimes long after the student understanding was useful to all year, students meet once a week for has graduated. present. Clickers will be used on professional skills seminars in groups Teaching Laboratories more courses in the future. of about 20. The aim in the first term is to develop skills such as Laboratory work forms a very important The top students on four of the working in small groups, writing a part of all the Physics programmes, Department’s lecture courses are precis of a scientific article and making and a revision of the laboratory work awarded special prizes. In 2007, a short presentation. In the second in all years is close to completion. Christopher Chen, Peter Welinder and term the seminars focus on the The first year laboratory has added Philip Smith won prizes for Atmospheric problem-solving skills which are a new introductory material, with the Physics, Computational Physics and very important chararacteristic of a aim of easing the transition from

43 laboratory work in school to the more Prize to Robert Pigott for a micro- an interim assessment mark, and independent work with advanced processor project on an automated are also assessed on a short equipment and techniques encoun- tracker. presentation. The main part of the tered at University. The second year assessment comes from the final laboratory had new experiments in Following the first part of First Year project report, which is a substantial 2006/7, and in the third year laboratory laboratory, about half of the First document setting out the background we have introduced a small group of Year students choose to undertake to the project, the work that the new core experiments to replace some further experiments and a short end- student has carried out, the results older experiments which are no longer of-year project. Other students choose obtained and the conclusions that very relevant to the current syllabus. to take an additional mathematics can be drawn. Many project reports course instead. The Project Open are scholarly documents of which Much of the laboratory area has been Days in June are among the highlights students are rightly proud, and their refurbished over recent years, and of the year, when students show their project marks are often very high, several hundred thousand pounds results to other members of the reflecting the amount of effort that has been invested in the laboratory department (staff and students) and they put into this part of the course. infrastructure and in new equipment, to visiting sixth-formers considering Exchange Programme including mobile data stations for applying to Imperial. The experience high-speed collection and analysis of doing a project in Year 1 is so The exchange programme continues of data from experiments. valuable that we are likely to expect to thrive. We have ERASMUS all students to undertake one in the exchange agreements with 13 Alongside laboratory work, all students future. A gallery of photographs of universities in western Europe, spend time on computing courses, the first year projects can be seen although they are not all used every which concentrate on learning to on the department’s website. year. In 2007, 22 students went out use the computer language C++ for to Europe. French is normally the Assessment advanced calculations and other most popular language, and in 2007-8 applications. Many students use Assessment is not limited to formal there are 12 students distributed these skills when they come on to examinations. In the first year, amongst ESPCI (Paris), Orsay and their project work later in the course. assessed problem sheets are given Grenoble in France, and EPF out every two to three weeks and Lausanne in Switzerland. We have Projects students hand in their solutions for two students in Germany at Erlangen Every undergraduate student under- marking. Since October 2007, and Heidelberg, three in Padova takes a major research project, assessed problem sheets are also (Italy) and five in Spain at Santander normally in their final year (Year in given out in Year 2. In January, and Valencia. Europe students do theirs abroad in students in both years sit a New Year Year 3). Many students find that the Test on the first term’s courses. In Year in Europe students spend a project is the most enjoyable part of laboratory, students are assessed large part of their year abroad their degree as they are then able to on their practical work as well as on working in a research group on a pull together many of the skills that their written lab reports, where they major project. They often excel in they have learnt throughout their set out the details of what they have this, gaining very high marks, and degree and get to grips with a topic done and the results they have sometimes becoming an author on a that may be at the frontier of research. obtained. Formal examinations on paper. Students also take some They often produce new results which the lecture courses are held at the lecture courses at the host university, can sometimes lead to a publication end of the year and these count for where they have to cope with in a scientific journal. Projects often just over half the total mark for the problems of language and different involve working alongside PhD first year. lecturing and examination styles. students and postdoctoral researchers This can be challenging, but overall in a research group in the department. In the third year the situation is it is a rewarding experience and Students can enjoy their project work similar, with laboratory work assessed students gain enormously from so much that they decide that they throughout the year and examina- spending a year in another country. want to carry on with research, some- tions at the end of the year. The Some return to the host country times in the same research group. Computational Physics option includes later on to take further studies. two major assignments and a final The Department awards three prizes test taken in January. In addition, The incoming (Occasional) students for projects each year. In 2007 the the third year includes the compre- on the exchange programme do much Tyndall prize for a theoretical project hensive examinations, which cover to enrich the international ethos of went jointly to Sarah Hitchen, James material from all the core courses. the department. They are frequently Yearsley and Sam Stitt, the Tessella very able indeed, often taking courses Prize for Software to Justin Song Projects are assessed in a number of at MSc level, and some stay on with and the Worshipful Company of ways, to reflect the different aspects us to do a PhD. We welcome about Scientific Instrument Makers (WCSIM) of project work. Students are given 30 incoming students each year.

44 BSc in Physics with Studies party at the Ritz was a triumphant sell Foundation has set up an in Musical Performance out, by all accounts. Seldom can award in the name of Abdus Salam, Physics students have been so the Physics Department’s last Nobel Music has long played an important smartly dressed! Prizewinner, for the best graduating part in the life of the Physics MSci student. In 2007 the prize was Department, and many of our students The Commemoration Day Reception presented by Masroor Ahmad of the sing in College choirs or play in the late in October each year is the setting Foundation to David Weir, who orchestras. This degree programme, for our departmental prizegiving. In received it dressed in his kilt. administered jointly with the neigh- addition to the project and lecture bouring Royal College of Music, was course prizes mentioned above, best in The Department owes a debt of introduced in the early 1990s for year prizes 2007 were awarded to gratitude to those students who act students with high abilities in both Stavros Mercouris (Year 1), Thomas as Year Representatives. Their Physics and instrumental playing. Hammant (Year 2), Peter Welinder contributions to the Staff/Student Neither college reduces its entry (BSc Year 3) and David Weir (MSci Committee are invaluable for flagging criteria, so students have to be Year 4). Melissa Daly was awarded up causes of student concern at an exceptionally able to enter the the Royal College of Science early stage. They are often able to programme, and we seldom take Association Prize, and she and Jad take action to resolve difficulties, for more than one or two students per Marrouche also received much instance, on lecture courses, without year. In 2006, trombonist Louise deserved Student Awards for intervention from staff, and they Oakes graduated with a first class Outstanding Achievement from the frequently canvass student opinion on degree, as did Melissa Daly in 2007. College. [See photographs below] new proposals. Being an active rep Indeed, it is astonishing how many takes up time, but can be a significant students on this demanding degree On the subject of prizes, the Physics beneficial influence on their year. do achieve first class honours. Department has been greatly By way of saying thank you, Prof Melissa was a truly outstanding enriched by three benefactors in the Donal Bradley, Head of Department student. In October 2007 we last couple of years. Ken Allen, an took them all out to dinner at Hugo’s welcomed 5 new students onto the engineer and alumnus of the in . programme: two clarinettists, a department, has donated five prizes Graduate Destinations trumpeter, a cellist and a pianist. for academic excellence, and in 2007 he was on hand to present the awards The largest fraction of our graduates Student activities to Laura Bethke, Min Foo, Thomas stay within the physics area, mostly In March each year, the student Forth, Robin Nandi and Hong’En Tan. by continuing to further study at Physics Society (PhySoc) organises Gloucester Research have donated Imperial or elsewhere. This may be a highly successful Big Day of 10 awards for non-graduating students. direct entry into a PhD research Physics, when sixth formers and In 2007 they went to Mehmet Akyol, programme, or it may be a specialist others attend lectures and activities Pit Bingen, Thomas Branch, Zhongyi one-year MSc degree such as the in large numbers. As well as being Chen, Chia Yi Chng, Francis Murphy, department’s courses in Quantum enjoyable in themselves, we hope Rak-Kyeong Seong, Emma Thompson Fields and Fundamental Forces or activities like this will stimulate and Anthony Young, whilst the special Optics and Photonics. Other gradu- recruitment, and we look forward to award for the best continuing student ating students use their physics skills future statistics with interest. in Year 3 went to Simon Gentle. in areas such as the financial services Finally, the Majlis Khuddam ul industry or information technology. Jad Marrouche, Physics student and Since a physics degree develops President of the RCSU in the College’s skills such as problem solving and Centenary Year, launched the Science communication as well as technical Challenge in February 2007. Students skills, our graduates are in heavy and schools were invited to submit demand from a wide range of 800 word essays on the theme of what employers. scientific breakthroughs will be most significant in 100 years’ time. The distinguished judges, Roger Highfield (Science Editor, Daily Telegraph), Lord Robert Winston, Dr Raj Persaud and Simon Singh awarded the £2500 o

First Prize to Naaman Tammuz, an MSc h c n a student in Physics. Mark Nicholson of S n i l i Reading School won the Schools e M :

Photos show Melissa Daly and s o Prize. There were 170 entries from t o Jad Marrouche receiving their h local schools, and over 100 from P awards Imperial College. The prizegiving

45 Postgraduate Studies http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/physics/admissions/pg/research/

Director of Postgraduate Studies: the individual Heads of Group (see MSc in Optics and Photonics Prof Lesley Cohen page 11). The MSc course in Optics and The Department of Physics at Imperial The Department provides facilities and Photonics has been running in its College is one of the largest Physics supervision for students to engage in present form since October 2001 and departments in the UK and 5* rated in research work leading to an Imperial draws on the skills of staff actively the Research Assessment Exercise. College higher degree (MPhil or PhD), involved in optics research. The title The Department’s research covers a and to the Diploma of the Imperial reflects the fact that the course covers comprehensive range of topics in College (DIC). About 60 postgraduate both the traditional areas of optics, theoretical and experimental fields research students join the Blackett which are of key importance to the and has a flourishing postgraduate Laboratory each year, the majority application of optical techniques, and research and taught MSc community. being UK students with about 25% the important areas of photonics, Research fields extend from astronomy, from other EU countries and about notably optical communications and space and atmospheric physics, 15% from overseas. The normal laser physics. The course aims to plasma physics to high energy, qualification for acceptance for provide the professional skills in theoretical and atomic physics, and research training is a first or second optics that are in demand by condensed matter theory. Solid state class honours degree in Physics or industry and academia. physics, condensed matter theory, a related subject. The usual length plastic electronics, laser physics, of registration for a PhD degree is There is a large number of employment applied optics and photonics are all three to four years. opportunities in optics and photonics areas where there is close collabo- throughout the UK and the rest of ration with industry, while fields such In addition to research training, the Europe, not only in optical communi- as quantum information theory may Department offers postgraduate cations but also in many other areas lead to exciting new applications. taught courses leading to an Imperial of applied photonics. There are close links with the College MSc degree and the DIC. The main components of the 12-month biophysics research group (part of the The Department offers three MSc MSc Optics and Photonics course are Department of Biological Sciences), courses: MSc in Physics, Msc in lectures, laboratory experiments and which is also housed in the Blackett Optics and Photonics and an MSc in a four–month project. The project lasts Laboratory. There are many examples Quantum Fields & Fundamental from mid-May to mid-September, and of international and industrial collab- Forces. Brief details of these MSc many projects can be carried out in oration involving our research groups courses are given below and further industry. and we are also very strongly involved details can be found at in interdisciplinary research centres www3.imperial.ac.uk/physics/admis- around the College. We are directly sions/pg/msc/. linked to the Thomas Young Centre (www.thomasyoungcentre.org), the The Graduate School of Engineering Institute for Mathematical Sciences and Physical Sciences (www.imperial.ac.uk/mathsinstitute) (www.imperial.ac.uk/gradeps/ ) has and the Grantham Institute for been established to develop and Climate Change enhance the academic experience (www.imperial.ac.uk/climatechange) of graduate students at the College. – all of which are centres of interdis- It provides training programmes and ciplinary research within the Imperial workshops in professional and other College campus. Many groups are skills, undertakes quality assurance involved in research using large scale of graduate programmes, organises Examples of recent projects are facilities. The Department has events, such as guest lectures and • Arbitrary dimensional teleportation extensive internal facilities and a symposia, and promotes career with optical number states, tremendous range of research topics opportunities for graduate students. • Improvements to the design and available to postgraduate research Very few institutions world-wide are operation of the Fibre Optic students. able to offer such a wide range of positioner of the William Herschel opportunities in postgraduate physics. telescope, Information about the research being undertaken in the particular groups • Adaptive Holography for Remote and centres can be found under sensing, their sections elsewhere in this review; further details can be obtained from • All fibre integrated sources based on photonic crystal fibres,

46 • Single atom manipulation in micro- Physical Laboratory (NPL), the UK’s traps, National Measurement Institute, in Teddington, London. • Design of an optical pen, NPL is providing sponsorships for • Quantum optics in asymmetri- selected students to carry out their quantum wells. research project on the NPL site. The sponsorship will cover the UK There is a significant number of and EU fee element of the course EPSRC-funded places for suitably and provide the opportunity to work qualified UK residents. Funding is in a national laboratory environment. also available to cover the fees for suitably qualified students from To be considered for the MSc in other EU countries. Physics, an applicant would normally MSc in Quantum Fields and need to have, or expect to have, at Fundamental Forces MSc students are also encouraged to least an upper second class Honours attend the regular weekly seminars degree in Physics from a UK The Theoretical Physics Group runs at which visiting speakers present university or overseas equivalent. this very successful MSc course, recent research results, as well as with around 20 students accepted internal seminars by research annually. It is normally a one-year students. These are supplemented course but can also be taken part- by an inter-Collegiate programme of time over two years. A series of weekly seminars on string theory lecture courses occupies the year and related subjects. up to May and students spend the summer on a project leading to the MSc in Physics writing of a dissertation. The course is From October 2008 the Department intended to bridge the gap between will be offering a new prestigious 12 undergraduate-level work and the month MSc in Physics. Tailored to research frontiers in theoretical physics. very able BSc students who wish to Many successful students have gone broaden their knowledge of Physics, on to do a PhD either at Imperial the course will prepare students for College London or at another major PhD level research or a career in an university. Unfortunately, no financial industrial or national research support is available for students laboratory environment. The MSc attending the course. builds upon the existing Masters programmes and 4th year lecture The lecture courses currently being courses, with new advanced teaching offered are: and project elements designed Compulsory lecture courses: specifically to develop further Quantum electrodynamics, research skills. Unification, Advanced Quantum Field Theory The 12-month full-time programme consists of lecture courses and Optional courses: project work, with a major project in Supersymmetry, the summer. Up to 6 full length lecture Cosmology and Particle Physics, courses, plus compulsory courses in Topics in Classical and Quantum advanced classical physics and Gravity, mathematical techniques will be String Theory, offered. The “self study” project, Differential Geometry allows students to investigate a topic in physics of their choice and the Available undergraduate courses: personal development courses will Foundations of Quantum Theory, strengthen each student’s research Group Theory, and professional career skills. These Dynamical Systems and Chaos, activities are followed by a four- General Relativity month supervised project in a specialist area, drawn from the wide Courses are offered subject to staff range of research activity carried out availability; certain courses may not within the Physics Department at be offered in a given academic year. Imperial College or at the National

47 PhD Degrees awarded in the Experimental Solid State Physics M. Pintani “Polymer Breath Figures Department in 2006/2007 and Their Applications” A. Asimakis “Organic Supervisor: Prof D D C Bradley Astrophysics Semiconductors: Material Characterisation and Device Physics” T. N. D. Tibbits “Optimisation of D. I. Dawe “The Dynamics of and Supervisor: Prof D D C Bradley Strain-Balanced Quantum Well Gravitational Radiation from Super- Solar Cells fo Concentrator and massive Black Holes in Galactic Nuclei” E. M. Barrett “Conjugated Polymer Multijunction (Tandem) Applications” Supervisor: Prof. A H Jaffe Photodetectors as Retinomorphic Supervisor: Prof K W J Barnham Imaging Devices” S. C. Impey “A Geometrically Versatile Supervisor: Prof. D D C Bradley S. M. Tuladhar “Charge Transport in Code for the Determination of Conjugated Polymers and Thermal and Statistical Equilibrium J. Benson “Spectroscopic studies of Polymer/Fullerene Blends: Influence in Diffuse Astrophysical Media” organic donor-acceptor blend films of Chemical Structure, Morphology Supervisor: Prof J E Drew for solar cell applications” and Blend Composition” Supervisor: Prof J Nelson Supervisors: Prof J Nelson & Prof D S. A. Khan “Short-wavelength D C Bradley Submilimetre-selected Galaxies” F. M. Braun “Modelling of Light- Supervisor: Prof. T J Sumner Trapping Structures and Their C. Palmer “A Non-Interger Application in Organic Photovoltaic Dimensional Space Approach to E. S. Laird “Chandra Observations Devices” Confinement in Condensed Matter of Ultra-Violet Selected Star Forming Supervisor: Prof J Nelson Physics” Galaxies at Redshifts One and Three” Supervisors: Dr P N Stavrinou & Supervisor: Prof. K Nandra E. Brown “Transport Properties of Prof G Parry Carbon Nonotubes using an Atomic A. L. Longinotti “Relativistic Force Microscope” R. Rawcliffe “Polymer Field-Effect Signatures of Black Holes in the X- Supervisor: Prof L F Cohen Transistors” ray Spectra of Active Galaxies” Supervisor: Dr A J Campbell Supervisor: Prof K Nandra R. E. Chandler “Monte Carlo Modelling of Electron Transport in Assemblies C. Zervos “Non-Linear Optics in B. H. May “Radial Velocities in the of Semiconducting Nanoparticles” Quantum Cascade Lasers” Zodiacal Dust Cloud” Supervisor: Prof J Nelson Supervisor: Prof C C Phillips Supervisor: Prof M Rowan-Robinson E. M. Clarke “Growth and High Energy Physics A. Niarchou “Low Power in the Characterisation of InAs/GaAs Cosmic Microwave Background and Quantum Dot Devices For Long L. Allebone “A CP Simulation Study its Implications for the Topology of Wavelenght Applications” of the Decay Mode Bd-D*n+ at the Universe” Supervisor: Prof R Murray LHCb and the Development of the Supervisor: Prof. A H Jaffe Pixel Hybrid Photon Detectors for J. Kirkpatrick “Calculating the RICH System” P. J. Wass “The Charged Particle Intermolecular Charge Transport Supervisor: Dr U Egede Space Environment As a noise Parameters in Conjugated Materials” Source for Lisa and Lisa Pathfinder” Supervisor: Prof J Nelson S. Dris “Performance of the CMS Supervisor: Prof. T J Sumner Tracker Optical Links and Future Y. Kim “Organic Solar Cells Based Upgrade Using Bandwidth Efficient Condensed Matter Theory on Highly Self-Organizing Digital Modulation” Semiconducting Polymers” Supervisor: Dr C Foudas N. Farid “On the Dynamics and Supervisor: Prof D D C Bradley Topology of Networks” C. L. Fry “Measurement of Spin- Supervisor: Prof K Christensen R. C. Maher “Surface Enhanced Dependent Deep Raman Scattering” Inelastic Scattering Cross Sections C. A. Haselwandter “Multiscale Supervisor: Prof L F Cohen Using the ZEUS Detector at HERA” Theory of Fluctuating Interfaces” Supervisors: Prof. P D Dauncey & Supervisor: Prof D D Vvedensky Y. Miyoshi “Development of Point- Prof K R Long Contact Andreev Reflection M. Stapleton “Self-Organised Spectroscopy” A. H. Jenkins “A Search for the Z- Criticality and Non-Equilibrium Supervisor: Prof L F Cohen bb Process at the D-Zero Statistical Mechanics” Experiment” Supervisor: Prof K Christensen J. D. Moore “Magnetic Properties Supervisor: Dr G J Davies & Dr A and Phase Transitions in MgB2 and Goussiou Gd5 Ge4” Supervisor: Prof L F Cohen

48 J. A. Jones “Development of Trigger Optics - Photonics Optics - Quantum Optics and Control Systems for CMS” and Laser Science Supervisor: Prof G Hall R. K. P. Benninger “Application of Multifocal Multiphoton Microscopy to T. I. J. Albaho “Theory of Empty J. D. G. Leaver “Testing and Multidimensional Fluorescence Optical Resonators” Development of the CMS Silicon Imagaing” Supervisor: Prof GHC New Tracker Front End Readout Electronics” Supervisors: Prof P M W French & Supervisor: Prof G Hall Dr M A A Neil J. R. Castrejon Pita “Design, Development and Operation of P. W. Lewis “Grid Development and B. R. Boruah “Programmable Novel Ion Trap Geometries” a Study of Flavour Tagging at DO” Diffractive Optics for Laser Scanning Supervisor: Prof R C Thompson Supervisors: Dr G J Davies & Dr D Confocal Microscopy” Colling Supervisors: Dr MAA Neil & Prof P. C. Condylis “Measuring The PMW French Electron Electric Dipole Moment L. M. I. Lobo “Jet Energy Scale Using Supersonic YbF” Studies and the Search for the R. Kennedy “Novel Optical Fibre Supervisor: Prof E A Hinds Standard Model Higgs Boson in the Based Pulse Sources and Channel ZH-vvbb at DO” Applications” L. N. Gaier “Atomic Interactions with Supervisors: Dr GJ Davies & Dr R Supervisor: Prof J R Taylor Ultra-Short Laser Pulses and their Jesik Application to the Modification of P. M. P. Lanigan “Applications of Dielectrics” M. B. Nikolich “Study of the Rare Confocal and Multiphoton Laser Supervisor: Prof Sir P L Knight Hadronic Decays Ds+ --K+ pi and Scanning Microscopes to Multi- D+ - pi+-K and D+--- pi +-pi at Dimensional Fluorescence Imaging” C. A. Haworth “Development and BaBaR” Supervisors: Prof P M W French & Application of an Attosecond Light Supervisors: Prof. P D Dauncey Dr D A Davis Source Based on High Harmonic Generation” W. Panduro Vazquez “A Study of J. A. McGinty “Development of Supervisors: Dr J W G Tisch & Prof the Rare Charmless Hadronic B Wide-field Fluorescence Lifetime J P Marangos Decay B+-a+ pi using the BaBar Imaging for Biomedical Applications” Detector” Supervisors: Prof P M W French & R. J. Hendricks “Spectroscopy and Supervisor: Prof. P D Dauncey Dr M A A Neil Dynamics of Laser-Cooled Ca+ Ions in a Penning Trap” R. W. R. Plackett “Photon Detectors J. P. McIlroy “Chiral Sculptured Thin Supervisors: Dr DM Segal & Prof for the Ring Imaging Cherenkov Films and their Integration into RC Thompson Counters of the LHCb Experiment” Composite and Combined Supervisors: Prof D M Websdale Morphology Structures” S. D. Hogan “Rydberg States Supervisor: Dr M W McCall Interacting in Crossed Electric and T. Scanlon “b-Tagging and the Magnetic Fields” Search for Neutral Supersymmetric I. Munro “Development of Supervisor: Prof J P Connerade Higgs Bosons at D0” Techniques for Improved Photon Supervisors: Dr G J Davies & Dr Economy and Processing Speed in C. C. Horsman “Quantum Per Jonsson Wide-Field Time-Gated Information Processing, Foundations Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging” of Quantum Mechanics” M. Takahashi “Optimization of CMS Supervisors: Prof P M W French & Supervisor: Dr V Vedral Detector Performance and Detection Dr M A A Neil of the Standard Model Higgs Boson N. D. Kajumba “Angular Via the qqH,H-pi Channel with a P. R. Munro “Application of Dependence of High Harmonic Lepton + a Jet in the Final State” Numerical Methods to High Generation from Impulsively Aligned Supervisor: Dr C Foudas Numerical Aperture Imaging” Molecules” Supervisor: Dr P Török Supervisor: Prof J P Marangos S. L. Wakefield “Distributed Data Analysis over the Grid and a Study J. M. Notaras “Direct Wavefront J. Lazarus “Probing the Collision of the Decays MSSM A/H -> tau tau Sensing for Adaptive Optics” Dynamics of Energetic Laser-Driven -> two Jets at CMS” Supervisor: Dr C Paterson Blast Waves” Supervisor: Dr D Colling Supervisor: Dr R A Smith F. Quiros Pacheco “Reconstruction and Control Laws for Multi- C. Lunkes “ Conjugate Adaptive Optics in in Non-Interacting Systems.” Astronomy” Supervisor: Prof M B Plenio & Dr V Supervisors: Prof J C Dainty & Dr C Vedral Paterson

49 J. Metz “Quantum Computing with P M Nilson “XUV and Optical N. A. Patmore “Water Vapour Macroscopic Heralding” Probing of the Effects of Shock Transport and Mixing at the Supervisors: Dr A Beige & Wave Propagation in Soft X-Ray Tropopause” Prof Sir P L Knight Driven Tamped Ablative Systems Supervisor: Prof R Toumi and Laser-Matter Interactions” J. S. Robinson “The Generation Supervisor: Prof K M Krushelnick M. Rigby “Air pollution climatology, and Application of Intense, Few- using meteorological reanalysis” Cycle Laser Pulses” J. I. Paley “Energy Flow During Supervisor: Prof R Toumi Supervisor: Dr J W G Tisch Disruptions” Supervisor: Prof S C Cowley G. K. Straine “Far infrared Cooling D. Sahagun Sanchez “Cold Atoms Rates in the Upper Troposphere: Trapped Near Surfaces” J. Rapley “Experimental Reconciling Models and Supervisor: Prof E A Hinds Characterisation of W and AL Radial Observations” Wire Array Z-Pinches” Supervisor: Prof J E Harries C. D. J Sinclair “Bose-Einstein Supervisor: Prof S V Lebedev Theoretical Physics Condensation in Microtraps on Videotape” A. P. L. Robinson “Kinetic P. M. F. Gandra “Stochastic Supervisor: Prof E A Hinds Simulation of Fast Electron Equations in Field Theory” Transport and Proton Acceleration in Supervisor: Prof R J Rivers J. C. A. Tyrrell “Computational Ultraintense Laser-Solid Nonlinear Optics Beyond the Interactions” D. W. Hook “Phase Transitions in Envelope Approximation.” Supervisor: Prof A R Bell Quantum Microcanonical Supervisor: Prof G H C New Equilibrium” A. G. R. Thomas “Studies of Laser Supervisor: Dr D C Brody M. Varnava “Linear Optics Quantum Propagation and Mono-Energetic Computing Tolerant to Qubit Loss” Electron Beam Injection in Laser- K. R. Land “Exploring Anomalies in Supervisors: Dr T G Rudolph & Wakefield Accelerators” the Cosmic Microwave Background” Prof Sir P L Knight Supervisor: Dr Z Najmudin Supervisor: Prof J Magueijo

D. J. J. Applegate “Gyrokinetic G. Turry “Magnetic reconnections in S. K. Marr “Black Hole Entropy from Studies of a Spherical Tokamak H- MAST” Causal Sets” Mode Plasma” Supervisor: Prof SC Cowley Supervisor: Dr H F Dowker Supervisor: Dr M Coppins Space and Atmospheric Physics J. M. M. D. Medeiros “Cosmology: G. Hall “The Relationship between C. S. Arridge “On the Configuration The Heart of the Matter” Implosion Dynamics and Stagnation and Dynamics of Saturn's Supervisor: Prof J Magueijo Structure in Aluminium Wire-Array Magnetosphere” Z-Pinches” Supervisors: Prof M K Dougherty & E. P. O’Colgain “Supersymmetric Supervisor: Prof S V Lebedev Dr N Achilleos AdS/CFT Geometries in M-Theory” Supervisor: Prof J P Gaunlett Plasma Physics M. J. Bolton “The Earth's Outgoing Longwave Radiation Spectrum as J. F. Reeves “The Linear Delta C. A. Jennings “Radiation Transport Viewed by a Space-Borne Bourier Expansion in Field Theory” Effects in Wire Array Z-Pinches and Transform Spectrometer” Supervisor: Dr T S Evans Magneto-Hydrodynamic Modelling Supervisor: Prof J E Harries Techniques” P. Smyth “Aspects of Branes in Supervisor: Dr J P Chittenden S. R. Child “The Heliospheric Supergravity” Current Sheet at Solar Maximum” Supervisor: Prof K S Stelle F. C. Lott “Thermographic Power Supervisor: Dr R J Forsyth Accounting on MAST” A. Swarup “Investigations into Supervisor: Prof S C Cowley V. C. A. Johnson “The Spatial and Condensed Matter Analogues of Temporal Response of Geopotential Phase Transitions in the Early J. D. Martin “Theory and Simulation Height and Temperature to Universe and other Low- of Dust in Tokamak Plasmas” Energetic Solar Particle Events Dimensional Phase Transitions” Supervisor: Dr M Coppins (1976 - 2004)” Supervisor: Dr R Rivers Supervisor: Dr V Moore C. D. Murphy “Diagnosis of High P. Wallden “Topics in the Energy Electron Beams Produced C. J. Nicholas “Modulation of Solar Decoherent Histories Approach to by Laser Wakefield Accelerators” Resonant Oscillations by Surface Quantum Theory and Quantum Supervisor: Dr Z Najmudin Magnetic Features” Gravity” Supervisors: Prof P J Cargill & Prof Supervisor: Prof J J Halliwell M J Thompson

50 Research Grants The following grants were initiated Condensed Matter Theory Engineering & Physical Science during 2006/7. Only PI Names are Research Council given Engineering & Physical Science Prof A Sutton, FRS JOINT - RCUK Research Council Fellowship (Dr Paul Tangney) £62,500 Astrophysics Prof K Christensen Defying the rules: How self-regulatory social systems work Experimental Solid State Physics Particle Physics and Astronomy £341,550 Engineering & Physical Science Research Council Engineering & Physical Science Research Council Dr H Araujo ICL Astrophysics short-term Research Council Dr T Anthopoulos Self-assembling academic visits programme £18,892 Prof K Christensen Networks: Conjugated Marcomolecules for Organic Emergence and Dynamics £362,776 Science and Technology Facilities Field Effect Transistors and Solar Cells Council The The Royal Society £132,317 Prof A Jaffe Continuing Planck Surveyor Dr P Haynes Royal Society University Engineering & Physical Science LPAC Support £568,386 Research Fellowship Dr Peter Haynes Research Council £90,694 Particle Physics and Astronomy Dr T Anthopoulos Development of air- Research Council Engineering & Physical Science stable n-channel organic field-effect Emeritus Prof P Meikle IC Astrophysics Research Council transistors based on soluble fullerene PATT rolling grant £47,646 Dr A Ho Strong correlation physics in derivatives £231,683 ultra cold atomic gases £563,017 Commission of the European Engineering & Physical Science Communities Engineering & Physical Science Research Council Prof K Nandra The origin of the Research Council Dr T Anthopoulos Ambipolar charge cosmic X-ray background: briding obser- Dr D Lee Counterflow superfluidity and transport in organic semiconductors and vations with theory £151,151 tunnelling in quantum hall hilayers devices £129,961 £162,184 Council for the Central Laboratory of Engineering & Physical Science the Research Councils Engineering & Physical Science Research Council Prof M Rowan-Robinson SPIRE map Research Council Emeritus Prof K Barnham making DP extension work package Prof Sir J Pendry, FRS Metamaterials Development of a novel tunnel-junction- £250,784 Create New Horizons in Electromagnetism free concentrator cell and its evaluation £459,832 for a smart windows application Particle Physics and Astronomy £528,487 Research Council - Rolling Grant Engineering & Physical Science Prof M Rowan-Robinson Multi-wave- Research Council Engineering & Physical Science length extragalactic astronomy and Prof Sir J Pendry, FRS High perfor- Research Council cosmology £999,153 mance RF metamaterials £474,256 Emeritus Prof K Barnham Proof of Concept for enhancing single-junction Science and Technology Facilities KODAK LTD and tandemconcentrator cells by photon Council Prof Sir J Pendry, FRS Studentship recycling £87,504 Prof M Rowan-Robinson SPICA/ESI for Mr David Millson £89,362 Study £13,896 Engineering & Physical Science Commission of the European Research Council Communities via Politecnico di Science and Technology Facilities Prof Sir J Pendry, FRS Milano Council Nanometrology 5 £88,069 Prof D Bradley, FRS Plastic optical Prof M Rowan-Robinson Continued fibres with embeded active polymers for support of the Hershel Grant £645,703 Engineering & Physical Science data communications £180,811 Research Council Science and Technology Facilities Prof A Sutton, FRS Emergent Department of Health via Molecular Council phenomena via separation of scales in Vision Prof T Sumner ZEPLIN III Galactic time and space £84,466 Prof D Bradley, FRS Miniaturised Dark Matter Search £1,124,618 detection for point of care diagostics Engineering & Physical Science £78,342 Science and Technology Facilities Research Council Council Prof A Sutton, FRS RCUK Fellowship The Royal Society Brian Mercer Prof T Sumner Development of split - Theory and Simulation of Award for Innovation GAUGE as a Cosmic Vision proposal to Materials (Dr Arash Mistofi) £62,500 Prof D Bradley, FRS Novel patterning ESA £24,866 processes for nanoscale organic The The Royal Society semiconductor devices £250,000 Natural Environmental Research Prof A Sutton, FRS Theory and Council simulation of polymer-inorganic inter- BP Solar International Inc. Dr Y Unruh Solar influences on Climate faces at the molecular level £57,000 Prof D Bradley, FRS Organic solar £163,279 cell efficiency £32,875

51 Engineering & Physical Science Engineering & Physical Science Council for the Central Laboratory of Research Council Research Council the Research Councils Prof D Bradley, FRS Reverse Prof J Nelson High-efficiency Hybrid Prof K Long Muon ionisation experiment Engineering the Human Visual System: Solar Cells for Micro-generation £2,000 Next Generation Artificial Vision systems £171,612 Engineering & Physical Science £243,355 Research Council Engineering & Physical Science Dr J Pozimski The Non Scaling Fixed Engineering & Physical Science Research Council Field Alternating Gradient (NS-FFAG) Research Council Dr P Stavrinou Metallic nanoscale Accelerator £349,422 Prof L Cohen A Platform to Develop photonics £229,871 and Utilise Characterisation Tools for Functional Magnetic Materials £985,070 Particle Physics and Astronomy High Energy Physics Research Council Dr J Sedgbeer Proposal for the Super- The The Royal Society Commission of the European NEMO Design Study: Monty Carlow Prof L Cohen Magneto-structural Communities cia CERN Simulations £218,914 phase transition in functional magnetic Dr D Colling Enabling grids for E- materials. £5,950 science-II (EGEE-II) £125,545 The Royal Society Engineering & Physical Science Dr Y Uchida Joint Research in Particle Research Council Science and Technology Facilities Physics at the High-Precision Frontier Prof L Cohen Nanometrology 4 £94,069 Council £12,000 Dr D Colling / Prof K Long Grid PP2 Commission of the European extension and Grid PP3 £1,020,962 Science and Technology Facilities Communities via Technische Council Universitat Kaiserslautern Particle Physics and Astronomy Prof D Wark, FRS Prof R Cowburn Spin current induced Research Council £432,687 ultrafast switching (SPINSWITCH) Dr G Davies MOB £5,205 £111,989 The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation Dr M Wascko Anglo-Japanese Defence Science and Technology Particle Physics and Astronomy Conference Travel £3,750 Laboratory (DSTL) Research Council - Rolling Grant Prof R Cowburn Magnetic Nanosensors Prof P Dornan, FRS Study of elementary Optics - Photonics for Biopathogen Detection £71,512 particles and their interactions £12,938,464 Biotechnology and Biological Commission of the European Sciences Research Council Communities via Technische Particle Physics and Astronomy Prof P French Development of a single Universitat Kaiserslautern Research Council channel hyperspectral fluorescence Prof R Cowburn SPINSWITCH1 Dr C Foudas E.Science support for lifetime instrument £121,379 £14,862 CMS at Imperial £595,760 Biotechnology and Biological Engineering & Physical Science Sciences Research Council Research Council Particle Physics and Astronomy Prof P French High-speed imaging of Dr J Kim Organic semiconductor inter- Research Council Advanced FRET in live cells applied to investigate faces for molecular electronics £119,826 Fellowship the role of PLCe in intracellular signal Dr D Futyan LHC physics with electrons pathways £622,779 Engineering & Physical Science and photons and the achievement of the Research Council full performan ce potential of the CMS DTI via Perkin Elmer Dr J Kirkpatrick Postdoctoral electromagnetic calorimeter. £563,059 Prof P French Ultrafast photonics for Fellowship - Molecular Modelling of fluorescence imaging and time-resolved Charge Transport in Conjugated Engineering & Physical Science assays £500,000 Materials. £312,561 Research Council Engineering & Physical Science Dr J Hassard Pervasive Mobile Engineering & Physical Science Research Council Environmental Sensor Grids £295,952 Research Council Dr S Maier Plasmonics and Near-Field Prof P French Single cell proteomics Optics: towards the limits of electromag- Particle Physics and Astronomy £137,604 Research Council Advanced netic energy confinement. £9,856 The Royal Society Fellowship Prof P French Development and University of Bath Dr J Hays Higgs searches at the LHC Biomedical Application of Multidimensional Dr S Maier Transfer from Univ. of Bath £565,062 £5,177 Fluorescence Imaging £50,000 University of Southampton Science and Technology Facilities Medical Research Council Dr S Maier Nanophotonics - From Council Prof P French Strain-sensitivity of fundamental to Real Life Applications Prof K Long Proposal for the continu- muscle £20,655 £3,813 ation of a programme of Neutrino Factory research and development Engineering & Physical Science Engineering & Physical Science £1,134,830 Research Council Research Council Dr M McCall Advanced Design and Prof R Murray InAs/GaAs qyabtyn dit Control of Active and Passive SESAMs for long wavelength applications Metamaterials - from Microwaves to £106,123 Optics £401,234

52 Engineering & Physical Science Engineering & Physical Science Space and Atmospheric Physics Research Council Research Council Dr M Neil Single cell proteomics Prof E Hinds, FRS Eedm: Particle Physics and Astronomy £137,604 Measurement of the electron electric Research Council Advanced The Royal Society dipole moment £826,266 Fellowship Dr S Popov Fiber Lasers - The route to Dr S Bradshaw Non-eguilibrium enhanced healthcare £103,871 The Royal Society ionisation £10,808 Prof E Hinds, FRS Fundamental Commission of the European physics and quantum technology with Natural Environment Research Council Communities VIA Centro Ricerche Fiat nanokelvin atoms and molecules Dr H Brindley Radiative perturbations Dr P Torok NANOPRIM £190,854 £513,013 due to dust-atmosphere interactions Particle Physics and Astronomy over North Africa and the Atlantic and Plasma Physics Research Council Advanced Fellowship their implications for global climate Dr J Hudson Next generation £591,867 Engineering & Physical Science measurement of the electron electric Science and Technology Facilities Research Council Advanced Fellowship dipole moment with heavy molecules Council Dr S Bland Wire Array z-pinch Driven £539,477 Mr C Carr PRISM: Payloads with High Energy Density Physics Resource efficient Integration for Experiments £749,290 Engineering & Physical Science Science Missions £70,993 Research Council S & I Award The Royal Society University Prof J Marangos Control of electrons Natural Environment Research Council Research Fellowship by few-cycle intense laser pulses Dr A Czaja Atmospheric meridional Dr S Mangles Next Generation Laser £2,924,343 circulation as seen from a moist static Wakefield Acceleration Studies energy perspective £79,458 £546,463 Engineering & Physical Science Research Council The Royal Society CEC via CNRS Prof J Marangos UK Research Dr A Czaja Anthropogenic and Oceanic Dr Z Najmudin European laser electron £1,019,020 Climate Forcing in Numerical Models controlled acceleration in plasmas to and Observations £3,989 Gev energy range £131,097 Engineering & Physical Science Research Council Particle Physics and Astronomy Engineering & Physical Science Prof M Plenio Generation and Research Council Research Council Dynamics of Complex Haniltonians in Prof M Dougherty Cassini magne- Dr Z Najmudin Laser Energised Coupled Cavity Systems £426,093 tometer post launch support £969,500 Radiation Source Technology £573,018 Engineering & Physical Science Science and Technology Facilities Leverhulme Trust Research Council Postdoctoral Council Dr A Schekochihin Magnetised turbu- Fellowship Prof M Dougherty Preparation for a lence in astrophysical and fusion plasmas Dr A Retzker Study of quantum fields Europa/Jupiter Mission £22,476 £95,578 and entanglement using dilute quantum gases £307,064 Science and Technology Facilities Particle Physics and Astronomy Council - Rolling Grant Research Council Advanced Fellowship The Leverhulme Trust Prof M Dougherty A Rolling Programme Dr A Schekochihin Magnetohydrodynamic Prof M Plenio Leverhulmes Trust in Space and Planetary Missions Turbulence from the Sun to Galaxy Visiting Professorship for Prof.Subhash £4,313,305 Clusters £221,987 Chaturvedi £40,148 MET OFFICE The Royal Society Engineering & Physical Science Prof J Haigh Implementing improve- Dr A Schekochihin Magnetic induction Research Council ments to the radiation parametrisation and flucuation dynamo in low-magnetic- Dr M Tarbutt Collisions of Polar £53,125 Prandtl fluids £4,000 Molecules with Ultracold Alkali Metal Atoms (IP3 of EuroQUAM CoPIMol) Natural Environment Research Council Optics - Quantum Optics £43,040 and Laser Science Prof J Haigh Solar influences on Climate £430,643 Engineering & Physical Science Engineering & Physical Science Research Council Natural Environment Research Council Research Council Prof R Thompson A test of quantum- Prof J Haigh Solar Influence on Dr S Barrett Electromechanical systems electrodynamics at high fields £620,137 Climate - NERC Grant NE/D003652/1 £18,000 £30,326 Engineering & Physical Science Research Council Natural Environment Research Council Prof E Hinds, FRS Atom Chips - Prof J Haigh Centre for Global Integrated Circuits for nanoscale Atmospheric Modelling £103,280 Manipulation of Cold Atoms £923,920

53 Council for the Central Laboratory of Particle Physics and Astronomy Engineering & Physical Science the Research Councils Research Council Research Council Prof J Harries An accurate in-flight Dr J Pickering New atomic and Prof J Gauntlett The geometry of calibration of the GERB instrument molecular data for astrophysics by high supergravity solutions and applications £347,784 resolution Fourier Transform Spectroscopy £206,633 £124,645 Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust The Royal Society Wolfson Mont Prof J Harries Specral signatures of Science and Technology Facilities Award cloud and water vapour climate Council Prof J Gauntlett Supergravity, quantum feedback £46,616 Prof S Schwartz KuaFu Phase A/B field theory and black holes £75,000 Magentometer £41,779 Engineering & Physical Science Natural Environment Research Council Research Council Prof J Harries Continuum Absorption at Science and Technology Facilities Prof C Hull Generalised Geometric Visible Wavelengths and its Atmospheric Council Structures in String Theory £19,999 Relevance (CAVIAR) Prof S Schwartz Cross-Scale Cosmic £510,673 Vision Proposal Support £25,153 The Leverhulme Trust Natural Environment Research Council Prof C Hull Visiting Professorship on Prof J Harries Surface and atmos- Science and Technology Facilities behalf of Erza Getzler £36,300 pheric budgets of radiation in AMMA Council (SABRINA) £25,458 Prof S Schwartz ExMars Travel £1,000 Foundational questions in Physics & Cosmology Institute Natural Environment Research Council Natural Environment Research Council Prof C Isham Topos Quantum Theory Prof J Harries The physics of cloud Prof R Toumi A hybrid model for £42,555 and water vapour feedbacks in predicting the probability of very extreme Engineering & Physical Science perturbed-physics ensembles £199,885 rainfall £255,657 Research Council Advanced Fellowship Dr D Martelli Geometry and Physics of The Royal Society The Royal Society String Theory £517,709 Prof J Harries Spectral signatures2 Prof R Toumi Physical mechanisms £4,282 generating robust statistics for climate Commission of the European risk assessment £124,401 Communities Marie Curie outgoing Particle Physics and Astronomy International Fellowship Research Council The Royal Society Dr B Stefanski Unravelling the non- Dr T Horbury Solar Orbiter magne- Fellowship perturbative structure of gauge theory tometer project: Support for interaction Dr R Turkmani Cross-scale coupling in £110,120 with European Space Agency £68,962 modelling energy release in flaring solar corona £167,254 Engineering & Physical Science Council for the Central Laboratory of Research Council the Research Councils Dr B Stefanski Unravelling the non- Theoretical Physics Mr S Kellock To plan and execute perturbative structure of gauge theory GERB flight operations £219,837 Science and Technology Facilities £270,755 Council Postdoctoral Fellowship The Royal Society Foundational questions in Physics & Dr I Muller-Wodarg University Dr J Bedford Twister String Theory and Time-dependent backgrounds £271,731 Cosmology Institute Research Fellowship renewal £349,643 Dr Antony Valentini Foundational Nuffield Foundation Questions Institute (FQXi) Fellowship for The Royal Society Dr C Contaldi Search for gravity waves Dr Antony Valentini £55,183 Dr I Muller-Wodarg Titan's upper in the cosmological microwave atmosphere and its coupling to Saturn's background £4,500 Particle Physics and Astronomy magnetosphere £4,000 Research Council Advanced Fellowship Particle Physics and Astronomy Dr Toby Wiseman Computational Commission of the European Research Council methods in gravity and string theory Communities via Eidgenoessische Dr C Contaldi Measuring the Power £539,865 Materialpruefungs- und Forschungsa Spectrum of Primordial Gravitational Dr J Pickering Analytical glow Waves £334,008 discharge network (GLADNET) £109,116 The Royal Society Eidgenoessische Materialpruefungs- Dr F Dowker The quantum dynamics of und Forschungsa casual sets £9,990 Dr J Pickering GLADNET2 £17,538 Engineering & Physical Science Natural Environment Research Council Research Council Senior Fellowship Dr J Pickering AR IR cirrus cloud Prof J Gauntlett Supergravity, quantum radiative properties from CAESAR field theory and black holes £761,694 observations £261,732

54 Technical Development, Intellectual Property and Commercial Interactions

The past twelve months has been the European Space Agency, SciSys the research programmes directly, or extremely active and the Department and SEA. provide specialised materials or has developed a further range of processing facilities, or support commercial interactions. One of the Condensed Matter Theory students or postdoctoral researchers. Faculty “Proof of Principle” (PoP) The group has a wide-ranging research Leading international companies that projects funded in 2004 has rapidly portfolio with a strategic focus on have supported our work include BP moved towards commercialization materials for structural, electronic Solar, Merck, DuPont Teijin Films, with the formation of the company and photonic applications, providing Sumitomo Chemical Co., Philips Midaz Lasers Ltd (see Photonics). theoretical and computational expertise. Research Labs., Konarka, Solenne We are looking forward to the Faculty Many projects have direct relevance B.V., Plextronics and Qinetiq. The maintaining this source of funding as to the next generation of technologies. group also benefits from collabora- a major stimulator for new inventors These include the theoretical devel- tions with the NPL at Teddington. to come forward and make a start on opment of metamaterials to create commercializing their innovation. perfect lenses to beat the diffraction The group also has strong record of Overall the interactions in the limit and to make objects invisible, protecting intellectual property and Department are extremely healthy simulating radiation damage in exploiting through spinout companies. and existing spin out companies are materials for fusion and fission reactors, Spin out companies include Ingenia buoyant. We collaborate with the modelling surfaces and grain bound- Technologies, which is active in the commercial sector at all levels and aries in perovskites for functional area of document security, Molecular of course PhD students within the devices, devising coarse grained Vision Ltd., which is developing Department benefit from direct methods of simulating polymers at microanalysis systems for medical industrial sponsorship and EPSRC the molecular level to simulate their diagnostics based on molecular CASE awards. bulk mechanical properties and those electronic materials, Durham of polymer nanocomposites, and the Magneto Optics Ltd., who produce Our technology developments and fundamental description of the growth diagnostic equipment for magnetic commercial activities include the of thin films and quantum dots for characterisation, and QuantaSol following: optoelectronic applications. Ltd., who are exploiting quantum well nano-structures to enhance Astrophysics The Group enjoys close working solar energy efficiencies above 35% The dark matter experimental part of relationships with the UK Atomic for concentrator applications. Further Astrophysics is dedicated to the Energy Authority, Accelrys, BAE, developments in the molecular development of advanced particle NumerEX (Ithaca NY), Pilkington electronics field are anticipated detectors for 1-100 keV energies and Glass, Astron and Antenova and through the C-Change partnership. associated technology (high precision holds several patents. ultra-high vacuum technology in copper, parts-per-billion level gas Experimental Solid State Physics High Energy Physics purification, charge/light readout The Experimental Solid State Physics The Group remains at the forefront technologies, cryogenics). A joint Group develops technologies across of technology transfer. Technology development programme has being a broad range of areas which have based on vertex-finding - Label Free undertaken with UK-based ET impact on the information and Intrinsic Imaging which is in turn based Enterprises Ltd (formerly Electron communications technologies sector, on the ideas developed within the Tubes Ltd) to develop a photomultiplier the solar energy sector, and the group for the discrimination and tube with ultra-low radioactive health care and security sectors. analysis of heavy quarks - was recently background. This work is in its final Details of the innovations are adopted by the Defense Advanced stages and promises to deliver the described in the appropriate pages Research Program Agency (DARPA) world’s most radio-pure phototube, of this Review but they depend for the world's biggest Rapid Vaccine which will find world-wide application broadly on advances in the following Development programme. This is in large experiments for neutrino technologies: molecular electronic formally known as the Accelerated detection, dark matter searches, and materials and devices, inorganic Manufacture of Pharmaceuticals - neutrino-less double-beta decay. semiconductor materials and devices, making a biologic vaccine has much The gravitational-wave project drives nano-magnetism and spintronics in common with standard modern drug charge control systems and associated devices, and superconducting discovery and development - except technology (UV light sources, particle materials and devices. Much of the the AMP project requires us to develop guns, satellite instrumentation). For work in the group proceeds through 3 million fully-validated vaccines to this work the group collaborates with collaborative research programmes counter bird-flu or bioterror agents EADS (Astrium UK, Astrium Germany), frequently involving industrial partners. within a 12 week period, compared Carlo Gavazzi Space (Italy), ETL, Industrial partners may contribute to to the 14 years it takes using

55 conventional approaches. The core We collaborate with many companies ment and control problems in basic technology is being studied by the and organisations that provide support physics research. The Centre for Cold FDA in understanding how Heparin, for our activities. These include Matter has an ongoing collaboration with a common anti-coagulant, has been UKAEA Culham, the Rutherford the K. J. Lesker company investigating contaminated and is implicated in the Appleton Laboratory, AWE Aldermaston transparent conductive films for deaths of many patients. It has been plc, Sandia National Laboratory, the polymers. There are also links with adopted by several of the major Laboratory for Laser Energetics PG Technology (Precision machining proteomics instrumentation companies, (University of Rochester), the Institute company) on design of molecular one of which has made LFII the of Laser Engineering (University of decelerators, and with Shimadzu platform for all future proteomics Osaka), the US Naval Research Research Laboratories (Europe) on analysis tools. LFII systems have been Laboratory and the Lawrence the development of novel THz detectors sold to pharmaceutical companies, Livermore National Laboratory. which has recently resulted in a joint biotech groups and academic teams patent. in UK, mainland Europe and the US, Laser Consortium particularly California. Our technology is associated with There are ongoing collaborations with developing high intensity and ultra the National Physical Laboratory A new company - based on work in short laser pulses. Theoretical (NPL) on ion trapping and the devel- the 1990s on air sensing technology descriptions of the effect of these opment of ultra-stable lasers. This funded by PPARC, EPSRC and NERC intense fields have led to technology includes supervision of students funded and on computing Grid technologies that can be used to produce micro- by the NPL who carry out most of funded by EPSRC and PPARC- has scopic optical structures by laser their experimental work there, but who been formed to commercialise induced modification (through multi- are registered as students at Imperial extremely low-cost robust Air Quality photon ionisation) of media. The College. The Quantum Information Monitoring sensors. There is little attosecond basic technology Theory sub group has close links with doubt that AQM is becoming a major programme promises to open up new a number of companies including HP. topic - it is estimated by WHO that 3m fields of ultra high time resolution All optical quantum information people a year die from air pollution. measurement in surface science etc. protocols have been developed and Technology recently developed as work is on-going with the UltraFast The HEP group spinouts have now part of this project has been spun out Group at the Clarendon in Oxford on raised in excess of £15m in venture and a second custom system for the realization of demonstrators of and public money for advanced hollow fibre pulse compression to these protocols. technologies, have employed over generate 10 fs pulses has been the last 5 years over 50 people, mostly delivered to RAL under contract. A Photonics at PhD level and have corporate and broadband phase shaper for high Our broad research themes are R&D facilities in several countries. intensity laser pulses is also in the imaging and sensor technology, fibre process of being patented. and laser optics, electromagnetic The Imperial College group continues Plasmas produced by interaction of theory and biophotonics. Current to emphasise how High Energy Physics short pulse lasers with sub projects include adaptive optics approaches, technologies and wavelength clusters and micron- applied to astronomy and medical techniques have direct industrial, scale objects are a promising source (ophthalmic) imaging; fluorescence- environmental and biomedical for x-ray generation at lithographi- based molecular imaging, including significance over relatively short up- cally important wave-lengths. They optical tomography, fluorescence take periods and can make decisive also produce high energy density lifetime imaging and multidimen- impact across a wide range of disci- plasmas of interest for the testing of sional fluorescence imaging applied plines. numerical codes. Blast waves in to tissue diagnosis and molecular extended cluster media can be used biology; rigorous electro- magnetic Plasma Physics to model astrophysical and other theory (FE, FDTD, volume integral The Group is engaged in work involving strongly driven systems and produce methods), applied to focusing, the development of the technology high quality data useful in the imaging and polarisation, chiral media of high-voltage pulsed power and benchmarking of complex radiation and Bragg structures; high power high-power lasers. Our work using hydrocodes. We have an active fibre laser technology, including high-power lasers has led to devel- collaboration with AWE including sources, amplifiers, nonlinear fibre opments in the field of 'compact' funding, personnel exchange and optics and compact high power plasma-based particle accelerators equipment loan. visible/UV sources; optical fibre with many potential technological sensors, high power solid-state laser (including medical) applications. We Quantum Optics and Laser technology and nonlinear optics; also investigate dusty plasmas, an Science ultrafast diode- pumped solid-state understanding of which is important, The Group applies cutting edge laser and fibre laser technology and for example, in integrated circuit technology and detailed numerical optical storage, including DVD, manufacture. modeling to a broad range of measure- multiplexed high density storage.

56 Direct support for research into high over existing laser technology that ISCOM Network). In a different throughput and multidimensional will allow entry into markets with context students in the group have fluorescence imaging, particularly high value that were previously developed various database fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) unavailable to laser technology. algorithms and have formed a has come from GlaxoSmithKline Technology patents are in place and company to exploit these ideas, R&D Ltd, Kentech Instruments Ltd a strong management team has aided latterly by a staff member. and Perkin Elmer Life and Analytical been assembled. Sciences (UK) Ltd. ‘In kind’ support has come from AstraZeneca UK Ltd, Space and Atmospheric Physics Kentech Instruments Ltd, LaVision The group has a long history in BioTec GmbH, Leica Microsystems developing magnetometer instru- (UK) Ltd, Olympus Optical Co UK Ltd. ments for space research. We are working with Ultra Electronics Ltd to Our fibre laser programme addresses develop miniature fluxgates for wavelength and pulse length versatile, future generations of small space- all-fibre configurations primarily craft. Additionally, we collaborating deploying MOPFA (Master Oscillator with Ultra in the development of Power Fibre Amplifier) technology sensors to operate at cryogenic including development of versatile temperatures (to enable operation at compact seed sources, to generate the outer planets is possible without high average power, spectrally heaters). A new strand in our sensor bright single mode sources. The research is the use of Magneto- Group has long-standing collabo- resistive sensors which we hope will ration and support from the IPG enable scientific research using Group of Companies. super-small Kilogram-class 'nano- sat' spacecraft or planetary landers. Direct support in the area of high In support of these developments power lasers and nonlinear optics we are collaborating with Astrium has come from the Electro-Magnetic (UK) Ltd to miniaturise sensor Remote Sensing (EMRS) Defence electronics into a single low-power Technology Centre, established by custom-designed Integrated Circuit, the UK Ministry of Defence and run and we are also teamed with both by an industrial consortium of Astrium UK and SciSys Ltd to SELEX Sensors and Airborne reduce the mass and power of data- Systems, Thales Defence, Roke handling systems for future small Manor Research and Filtronic. This and highly-integrated spacecraft. involves novel adaptive sensors and The Group also develops far infra- laser sources for enhancing signal red detector arrays, multi-instrument and information retrieval in complex digital electronics and spectrometer remote sensing scenarios. Pilkington designs for space missions as well Optronics (now Thales) have as high resolution UV and VUV supported CASE awards and ‘in Fourier transform spectroscopy kind’ support has come from Shell particularly detector arrays and Research Labs, Spectra-Physics beam splitters. Collaborators and Spectron Laser Systems. A include SIRA as well as the Met spin-out company, Midaz Lasers Office and the USA and French Ltd., was formed in 2006 based on Navies. breakthrough laser technology. The company has capabilities to produce Theoretical Physics The dominant a wide class of innovative laser part of the Group's activities lie in solutions based on platform constructing theories of the funda- technology with offerings to a wide mental nature of the universe. range of market sectors. Laser However, subsidiary activities of the products are particularly suited to group may lead to novel applications enabling superior and faster of superconducting devices (through manufacturing in large-scale high the continuation of work begun under tech industrial applications based on the ESF COSLAB Programme) or high power laser products. The have implications for the modelling technology also has excellent of innovation and industrial activity potential for massive price reduction (through work begun under the EU

57 Academic Staff Professors Prof. Edward Hinds, BA, DPhil, FRS Prof. Robin Smith, MA, PhD, DIC Quantum Optics Physics Prof. Donal Bradley, BSc, PhD, ARCS, FRSA, CPhys, FInstP, FRS Prof. Christopher Hull, BA, PhD, FInstP Prof. David Southwood, BA, PhD, DIC (Lee-Lucas Professor of) Experimental Physics Physics Physics Prof. , PhD, ARCS, BSc, Prof. Kellogg Stelle, AB, PhD, FInstP FInstP Prof Kim Christensen, PhD Theoretical Physics Theoretical Physics Theoretical Physics Prof. Timothy Sumner, BSc, DPhil, Prof. Andrew Jaffe, BS, MS, PhD, MInstP, Prof Lesley Cohen, BSc, PhD CPhys, FInstP, FRAS Solid State Physics FRAS Experimental Astrophysics Astrophysics and Cosmology Prof. Russell Cowburn, MA, PhD Prof. Adrian Sutton, BA, MSc, PhD, FRS Nanotechnology Prof. Sir Peter Knight, BSc, DPhil, FRS Nanotechnology Quantum Optics Prof. Steven Cowley, BA, MA, PhD Prof. Roy Taylor, BSc, PhD Plasma Physics Prof. Sergey Lebedev, MS, PhD, FInstP, Physics F.APS Prof. Christopher Dainty, PhD Plasma Physics Prof. Richard Thompson, MA, DPhil Applied Optics Physics Prof. Kenneth Long, BSc, DPhil Prof. Michael Damzen, PhD Experimental Particle Physics Prof. Ralf Toumi, BSc, PhD, ARCS Experimental Laser Physics Atmospheric Physics Prof. Angus Mackinnon, PhD Prof. Paul Dauncey, BA, DPhil Physics Prof. Arkady Tseytlin, MS, PhD Particle Physics Physics Prof. Joao Magueijo, BA, PhD Prof. Peter Dornan, BA, PhD, FRS Physics Prof. Tejinder Virdee, PhD Experimental Particle Physics Physics Prof. Jonathan Marangos, PhD, ARCS, Prof. , BSc, PhD DIC (Lockyer Chair) Prof. Dimitri Vvedensky, PhD Space Physics Laser Physics Theoretical Solid State Physics

Prof. Janet Drew, BSc, PhD, FRAS Prof. Raymond Murray, BSc, PhD Prof. David Wark, BSc, MS, PhD, FRS Physics Solid State Physics Physics

Prof. , BSc, PhD, DIC, FInstP Prof. Kirpal Nandra, BA, PhD, FRAS Prof. Stephen Warren, MA, PhD Theoretical Physics Astrophysics Astrophysics

Prof. Roger Evans, BSc, PhD, FInstP Prof. Jordan Nash, BSc, PhD Prof. David Websdale, PhD, ARCS Physics Physics Physics

Prof. Michael Finnis, BSc, PhD Prof. Jenny Nelson, BA, PhD Readers Materials Theory and Simulation Physics Dr David Britton, BSc, MSc, PhD Prof. Matthew Foulkes, PhD Prof. Geoffrey New, MA, DPhil Dr Jeremy Chittenden, BSc, PhD, DIC, Physics Nonlinear Optics CPhys, MInstP

Prof. Leszek Frasinski, MSc, PhD, FINSTP Prof. Gareth Parry, BSc, PhD, DIC, FREng Dr Gavin Davies, BSc, PhD, DIC, FRAS Atomic and Molecular Physics Applied Physics Dr Fay Dowker, BA, MA, PhD, FInstP

Prof. Paul French, PhD Prof. Sir John Pendry, MA, PhD, FRS Dr Ulrik Egede, BSc, PhD Physics Theoretical Solid State Physics Dr Constantinos Foudas, MA, MPhil, PhD BA, PhD Prof. Jerome Gauntlett, BSc, PhD,FInstP Prof. Christopher Phillips, MA, PhD, Dr Amihay Hanany, Physics DIC, CSci, CPhys, FInstP Dr John Hassard, BSc, PhD Physics Prof. Joanna Haigh, DPhil Dr Peter Haynes, BA, PhD Atmospheric Physics Prof. Martin Plenio, PhD (Dr. rer. nat) Dr Timothy Horbury, BSc, PhD Physics PhD Prof. Geoffrey Hall, BSc, PhD, DIC, ARCS Dr Stefan Maier, Physics Prof. Steven Rose, BA, Dphil, Cphys, FInstP Dr Martin McCall, PhD Plasma Physics BA, PhD Prof. Jonathan Halliwell, BSc, PhD, Dr Zulfikar Najmudin, Physics Prof. Michael Rowan-Robinson, BA, Dr Mark Neil, BA, MA, PhD PhD, FInstP, FRAS Dr Benjamin Sauer, BA, PhD Prof. John Harries, BSc, PhD, CPhys, FInstP, FRMS Astrophysics Dr Daniel Segal, BSc, PhD Earth Observation Prof. Steven Schwartz, BSc, PhD Dr Roland Smith, BSc, PhD Space and Atmospheric Physics Dr John Tisch, BSc, PhD

58 Dr Peter Török, DPhil, DSc Dr Andrew Ho, BA, PhD Honorary Lecturers BA, MA, PhD Dr Jonathan Hudson, MPhys, DPhil Dr Daniel Waldram, Dr Ken Bignell, BSc, PhD, ARCS BSc, ARCS, PhD, DIC Dr James Kirkpatrick, MSci, PhD Dr Jing Zhang, Dr Witold Chalupczak, MSc, PhD MSc, PhD Senior Lecturers Dr Jussi Kalkkinen, Dr Gianluca Gregori, PhD Dr Elizabeth Lucek, BSc, PhD Dr Roy Burns, PhD Visiting Professors Dr Alasdair Campbell, BSc, MSc, PhD Dr Oisin Mac Conamhna, BSc, PhD Prof. John Allen, MA, PhD, DSc Dr Michael Coppins, BSc, PhD Dr Stuart Mangles, MSci, PhD Prof. Michael Barnett, BSc, BA, PhD Dr Robert Forsyth, BSc, PhD Dr Dario Martelli, BS, PhD Prof. Farhat Beg, PhD, MPhil, MSc, BSc Dr Derek Lee, BA, PhD Dr Carl Paterson, BA, PhD Prof Anthony Bell, MA, PhD, MInstP, PhD, DIC Dr Michele Petteni, PhD Dr Julia Sedgbeer, CPhys, FRAS Dr Yvonne Unruh, MSc, PhD Dr Alex Retzker, BSc, MSc, PhD Prof. Alain Blondel, DEA, PhD BSc, PhD Dr Kenneth Weir, BSc, PhD Dr Terence Rudolph, Prof. David Cotter, BSc, PhD, DSc PhD (Dr. rer. nat.), Dipl.-Phys Lecturers Dr Stefan Scheel, Prof. Sergei Dudarev, BS, PhD Dr Paul Stavrinou, Beng, PhD Dr Henrique Araujo, PhD Dr Malcolm Dunlop, BSc, PhD BSc, BSc (Hons), Dr Bogdan Stefanski, Prof. Anthony Dunne, BSc, PhD, DIC, ARCS Dr David Colling, BSC, BA, PhD Cert. Adv. St. Math., PhD (Cantab) Prof. Patrick Gill, BSc, DPhil Dr Carlo Contaldi, Msci, PhD Dr Michael Tarbutt, Mphys, DPhil Prof. Ian Grant, FRS Dr Arnaud Czaja, PhD Dr Rim Turkmani, BSc, MSc, PhD Dr Christopher Dunsby, MSci, PhD Prof. Richard Harrison, PhD Senior Research Investigators Dr Marina Galand, PhD Mr Robert Hastie, BSc, MSc, FInstP, F.APS Emeritus Prof. Andre Balogh, MSc, DIC Dr Chistopher Guy, PhD Dr Timothy Hender, BSc, PhD Emeritus Prof. Keith Barnham, PhD Dr Richard Jesik, BSc, MSc, PhD Prof. Henry Hutchinson, BSc, PhD Emeritus Prof. David Caplin, MA, MSc, PhD Dr Ji-Seon Kim, PhD Prof. Steven Koonin, BS, PhD Emeritus Prof Peter Cargill, BSc, PhD Dr Robert Kingham, BSc, PhD Prof. Akhlesh Lakhtakia, MS, PhD Mr Aboubaker Dangor, BSc, DSc Dr Arash Mostofi, BA, MA, PhD Prof. Michael Lockwood, PhD Dr John Gallop, BA, DPhil Dr Ingo Mueller-Wodarg, MSc, PhD Dr. Louis Lyons, BSc, DPhil Prof. Malcolm Haines, PhD, ARCS, FRCO, BA, MA, PhD, DIC Dr Massimo Mazzer, PhD Dr Juliet Pickering, ARCM, FInstP Dr Sergei Popov, MSc, PhD Dr Peter Norreys, BSc, MSc, PhD Dr Hugh Jones, BA, PhD Dr Jürgen Pozimski, BSc, MSc, PhD Prof. Sir , MA, PhD, FRS Emeritus Prof. Bruce Joyce, DSc, FRS Dr Arttu Rajantie, BSc, MSc, PhD Prof. David Smith, PhD, ARCS Prof. Thomas Kibble, MA, PhD, FRS Dr Alexander Schekochihin, BS, MA, PhD Prof. Nigel Smith, BSc, PhD Prof. Elliot Leader, BSc, MS, PhD Dr Paul Tangney, BSc, PhD Prof. Stuart Swain, PhD Prof. Leon Lucy, BSc, PhD Dr Yoshiyuki Uchida, BA, PhD Dr Michael Tatarakis, BSc, MSc, PhD Emeritus Prof Peter Meikle, BSc, PhD Dr Toby Wiseman, PhD Prof Michael Thompson, MA, PhD Prof. Ronald Newman, PhD, FRS Dr Roger Timmis, MSc, PhD Research Lecturers Emeritus Prof Raymond Rivers, BA, Dr Patrick Koppenburg, PhD MA, PhD, FInstP Visiting Readers Dr Morgan Wascko, BA, MS, PhD Dr Peter Sharp, BSc, PhD Dr William Dorland, BS, MS, PhD Dr John Thompson, MA, PhD, Dr Myung Shik Kim, BS, MSc, PhD Principal Research Fellows Distinguished Research Fellows Dr Benedict Murdin, MSc, PhD Dr William Cameron, PhD Dr Trevor Bacon, BSc, PhD Visiting Lecturers Dr Christopher Seez, PhD Emeritus Prof. David Binnie, BSC, PhD, FIP Dr Almut Beige, BSc, PhD Dr David Mark Raymond, BSc, MSc, PhD Emeritus Prof. Ian Butterworth, BSc, Dr Anne Curtis, PhD Advanced and Postdoctoral Fellows PhD CBE, FRS Mr Edward Judd, HNC MA, PhD Emeritus Prof Gareth Jones, BSc, PhD Dr James Bedford, Dr William Munro, PhD MSc, PhD Emeritus Prof. John Quenby, BSc, Dr Cesar Bertucci, BSc, MS, PhD PhD, DIC, ARCS Dr Sherif Sherif, Dr Simon Bland, MSci, PhD Lady Anne Thorne, MA, DPhil Visiting Research Fellows Dr Stephen Bradshaw, MPhys, PhD Honorary Research Fellows Dr Marco Ghisoni, BSc, PhD Dr Helen Brindley, BSc, PhD Dr Ioannis Raptis, PhD Dr Jens Eisert, MSc, PhD Dr Alan Edmonds, BSc, PhD Honorary Technical Advisor Dr David Futyan, BSc, PhD Dr David Price, BSc, PhD Mr Gilbert Satterthwaite, Dr Edward Grace, Msci, PhD, DIC Dr Geoffrey Rochester, BSc, PhD Honorary Schools Liaison Assistant Dr Jonathan Hays, BSc, MSc, PhD Mrs Prudence Wormell, BSc Mr Robert Airey, BSc

59 Other Research Staff Tim Seears, BEng Plasma Physics Group Assistant Research Officer Astrophysics Sarah Dodman Dr Peter Slootweg, BSc, MSc, PhD Group Administrator Juliet Kemp, BA, MPhil Research Officer Computer Manager Optics (Photonics & Quantum Leavers in 2007 Optics Groups) Experimental Solid State Astrophysics Group Judith Baylis James Berg, BS Manu Joshi Senior Group Administrator Senior Mechanical Design Engineer Research Support Officer Lilian Wanjohi Dr James Buchanan, MSci, PhD Deputy Group Administrator High Energy Physics Group Senior Applications Engineer Sanja Maricic Dr Chee Lim, MSci, PhD Dr Aaron Cheng PA to the Centre for Cold Matter Prof Ed Senior Applications Engineer Electrical Engineer Hinds FRS Dr Fiona Turner, BSc, PhD, Cphys, MInstP Dr Oliver Van Der Aa Senior Applications Engineer Technical Coordinator Space & Atmospheric Physics Group High Energy Physics Space & Atmospheric Physics Karen Lewis Mona Aggarwal, BSc, MSc Janet Barnes Senior Group Administrator Support/Research Officer in Grid Computing Scientific Programmer John Ipe Geoffrey Barber Administrative Assistant Research Officer Administrative and Support Staff Theoretical Physics Group Kostas Georgious, MSc, PhD Deputy Systems Manager Head of Department's Office Graziela De Nadai-Sowrey Group Administrator Dr Gregory Iles, BSc, PhD Linda Jones Electronics Engineer Operations Manager Ashok Jamdagni Kalvinder Chana Student Administration Research Officer Senior Administrator Postgraduate Office Peter Savage, Beng, MSc Louise Hayward Mechanical Engineer PA to HoD Dr Andrew Williamson Postgraduate Development Officer Trevor Savidge, BSc Project Engineer Research Groups Loli Sanchez Rey Postgraduate Administrator Osman Zorba, BSc Astrophysics Group Electronics Engineer Dilly Osbahr Undergraduate Office Group Administrator Photonics Group Mery Fajardo Admissions Administrator Ian Munro, BSc Condensed Matter Theory & Software and IT Development Manager Experimental Solid State Physics Andrew Knight Groups Undergraduate Teaching Administrator Space & Atmospheric Physics Carolyn Dale Derryck Stewart Senior Group Administrator Assistant UG Teaching Administrator Dr Leah-Nani Alconcel, BS, MS, PhD Operations Engineer Bhavna Patel Deborah Greek Undergraduate Secretary Dr Anthony Allen, BSc, MSc, PhD Administrator Snr Scientific & Managerial Officer Celia Perry Nicola Joiner Undergraduate Secretary Patrick Brown, BA, MSc Administrative Assistant Senior Research Officer Julie Kite Philip Shanahan Examinations Officer Christopher Carr, BSc PA to Prof Russell Cowburn Technical and Operations Manager High Energy Physics Group Emanuele Cupido, BSc Research Officer Paula Brown Group Administrator Charlotte Dunford, BSc Cassini/Rosetta Archive Engineer Ghyslaine Banzigou Technical Administrator Stephen Kellock, BSc, MSc Senior Research Officer Piera Brambilla Technical Administrator Helen O'Brien, MA, MEng Research Officer Carol Barlow Tim Oddy, BSc, GradInstP Experiments Manager Spacecraft Operations Engineer

60 Facilities Mechanical Instrumentation Leavers in 2007 Paul Brown Workshop and GroupsTechnicians Caroline Jones Mechanical Instrumentation Workshop Stephen Annett Optics Group Administrator Manager Trevor Beek (SPAT) Diana Moore Vivienne Frater David Bowler Astrophysics Group Administrator Departmental Facilities Manager Stephen Cussell (EXSS) Collins Osei Malcolm Hudson Undergraduate Secretary Jonathan Dyne (QOLS) Departmental Buildings Manager Anne Thomson Alan Finch (PLAS) Harry Vine Space and Atmospheric Physics Group Departmental Services Manager Andrew Gregory (QOLS) Secretary Keith Clark Simon Johnson (PHOT / QOLS) Caroline Treacey Audio Visual, Keys, Room Bookings Alan Last (SPAT) Departmental Administrator Simon Graham Steven Nelson Maintenance Alan Raper Doug Hudson Bandula Ratnasekara (QOLS) Refurbishment Programme Management Andrew Rochester Assistant Peter Ruthven (QOLS) Russell Nash Buildings Manager's Assistant James Stone (PHOT / QOLS) Alice Powell David Williams Common Room Assistant Brian Willey (QOLS) Neal Powell Reprographics Electronics Workshop Technicians Meilin Sancho Reprographics Shahid Hanif Zana Vuckovic Ryan Burrows Common Room Assistant Darren Wright High Energy Physics Group Stores Technician Mechanical Workshop David Clark Teaching Laboratory Technicians Ian Clark Harish Dawda Roger Hare 1st Year Laboratory Robert Whisker High Energy Physics Group 1st Year Laboratory Electronics Workshop Graham Axtell Sarah Greenwood 2nd Year Laboratory Vera Kasey Paul Beaumont Maria Khaleeq 2nd Year Laboratory Geoffrey Green Optical Mechanical Workshop 3rd Year Laboratory Martin Dowman Lee Parker Martin Kehoe 3rd Year Laboratory

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