The

Department of Review

Faculty of Natural Sciences 2008/09

Contents

Preface from the Head of Department 2 Undergraduate Teaching 54

Academic Staff group photograph 9 Postgraduate Studies 59

General Departmental Information 10 PhD degrees awarded (by research group) 61

Research Groups 11 Research Grants Grants obtained by research group 64

Astrophysics 12 Technical Development, Intellectual Property 69 and Commercial Interactions (by research group) Condensed Matter Theory 17 Academic Staff 72 Experimental Solid State 20 Administrative and Support Staff 76 High Energy Physics 25

Optics - Laser Consortium 30

Optics - Photonics 33

Optics - Quantum Optics and Laser Science 41

Plasma Physics 38

Space and Atmospheric Physics 45

Theoretical Physics 49

Front cover: Laser probing images of jet propagating in ambient plasma and a density map from a 3D simulation of a nested, stainless steel, wire array experiment - see Plamsa Physics group page 38.

1 Preface from the Heads of Department

During 2008 much of the headline were invited by, Ian Pearson MP, the within the IOP Juno code of practice grabbing news focused on ‘big science’ Minister of State for Science and (available to download at with serious financial problems at the Innovation, to initiate a broad ranging www.ioppublishing.com/activity/diver Science and Technology Facilities review of physics research under sity/Gender/Juno_code_of_practice/ Council (STFC) (we note that some the chairmanship of Professor Bill page_31619.html). As noted in the 40% of the Department’s research Wakeham (Vice-Chancellor of IOP document, “The code … sets expenditure is STFC derived) and Southampton University). The stated out practical ideas for actions that the start-up of the Large Hadron purpose of the review was to examine departments can take to address the Collider at CERN. Our staff members the health of the entire discipline of under-representation of women in were prominent in both regards, being physics, and the priorities and university physics and emphasises strongly represented and actively challenges facing the discipline in the need for dialogue, transparency engaged within the STFC committee the medium to long-term future. and openness”. The principles are: structures (Sir (QOLS), Donal was among those appointed “Principle 1: A robust organisational Jordan Nash (HEP), Steven Rose to the review panel, together with framework to deliver equality of (PLAS), Andrew Jaffe (ASTRO) and senior staff from the Universities of opportunity and reward. Tim Horbury (SPAT)) and in the user Cambridge, Durham, Glasgow, Principle 2: Appointment, promotion community action groups, and having Leicester, Oxford (Engineering), and selection processes and proce- significant leadership roles within two Toronto and Denmark. A substantial dures that encourage men and of the four major projects at LHC, and wide-ranging report resulted women to apply for academic posts namely the from the extensive investigation that at all levels. (CMS) and LHCb experiments (Jim was undertaken, albeit within a very Principle 3: Departmental structures Virdee (HEP) is spokesperson for much constrained time window, and and systems that support and CMS and Andrei Golutvin (HEP) the report was published on 1st encourage the career progression of spokesperson for LHCb). The LHC October 2008 all staff and enable men and women start-up was much feted in the media (www.rcuk.ac.uk/review/physics), just to progress and continue in their with BBC Radio 4 running a ‘ in time to be overshadowed by the careers. Day’ extravaganza on the 10th rapid decline in the global economic Principle 4: Departmental organisation, September 2008 outlook, a situation that presages an structure, management arrangements (www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/bigbang/), even tougher funding climate ahead. and culture that are open, inclusive with a great deal of additional print, and transparent and encourage the on-line, radio and television coverage. On a more upbeat note, the Department participation of all staff. Having had the chance to see the received an outstanding rating in a Principle 5: Flexible approaches and CMS facility at first hand we can both European graduate programme provisions that encompass the working attest to the enormity of the under- ranking assessment exercise. The day, the working year and a working taking required to deliver such Centre for Higher Education life in SET and enable individuals, at experiments to specification and on Development (in Germany) ranked all career and life stages, to maximise time, and to the exceptional collabo- departments in Physics, Chemistry, their contribution to SET, their ration needed to do so. It represents a Biology and Mathematics in four department and institution.” triumph of ingenuity and commonality areas (publications, citations, highly of purpose that is difficult to match cited scientists and participation in The Juno activity is complementary in other multi-partner international EU Marie Curie activities) and awarded to the Athena SWAN Charter for endeavours. The subsequent magnet "medals" for each category (gold, established by failure was a severe blow to many silver, bronze). In 2008 the RCUK. The Department applied for but by November 2009 the LHC was Department was the only Physics and won the Athena Silver Swan in up and running and exciting physics Department in Europe (and the only 2009 becoming the first Physics is anticipated in 2010. department in the College’s Faculty Department in the country to hold of Natural Sciences) to come out both Juno Champion and Silver The financial woes at STFC also with four gold medals (see Swan awards. We are hugely attracted significant media attention, http://www.excellenceranking.org/eu indebted to Lesley Cohen (EXSS) especially in relation to the proposed sid/EUSID). who drove the Department’s efforts closure of the Jodrell Bank telescope. on both of these matters. Lesley Sufficient pressure was exerted, by In 2009 the Department, along with also chairs the Department’s Juno amongst others, the Royal Astronomical only one other (at the University of Committee whose remit is the estab- Society (led by President Michael Warwick) became an official Institute lishment of best practice for all staff, Rowan-Robinson (ASTRO)) that of Physics (IOP) Juno Champion by as well as addressing the under Research Councils UK (RCUK) meeting the five principles enshrined representation of women in

2 university physics. One of its first the order of £5M. In association ification on K3 and manifolds of achievements was the formation of with this John and Stefan Maier weak G2 holonomy. This, together a new RA Committee to address (EXSS) are heading up a new with his work on P-brane solitons issues of particular concern to cross-faculty Centre for Plasmonics and their associated anomalies, has postdoctoral researchers and we are and Metamaterials, with collabo- proved to be of great significance to grateful to Daniel Mortlock and rators in the Departments of modern developments in string Karen Yates for taking forward this Materials and Electrical and theory and M-theory.” There was a activity in a positive spirit. Electronic Engineering. Departmental reception to celebrate on 1st June 2009. A major research initiative in Plasma A new inception, and a successful Physics came to fruition during 2008 one for the department, was the The 2008 Royal Society Hughes with the establishment of the Shock EPSRC’s introduction of Centres for Medal was awarded to Michele Physics Institute, initially funded by Doctoral Training. From 2009 the Dougherty (SPAT) for her work with a £5.9M project grant from AWE. It Department leads three new CDTs the NASA/ESA Cassini-Huygens was formally launched at an event in which each provide about £6M to mission to Saturn and its moons. June 2009 and we welcomed Bill fund five annual cohorts of 10 PhD The award celebrates the innovative Proud and Dan Eakins as new students through 1 year MRes and 3 use of data from the Cassini magne- members of staff supporting the year PhD programmes. A further tometer that led to the discovery of a Institute. three annual cohorts will then be dynamic atmosphere on Enceladus, funded by the College. In all 44 one of Saturn's moons. The 2008 Another new initiative saw the Centres have been funded by Royal Society Rumford Medal was College and the National Physical EPSRC across its entire physical awarded to Ed Hinds (QOLS) for his Laboratory sign a memorandum of science and engineering remits so extensive and highly innovative work understanding in October 2008 to to have three led by the Department in the field of ultra-cold matter. Ed facilitate increased research collabo- is an exceptional achievement. The was also the recipient of the 2008 rations. Lesley Cohen played a Centres focus on: (IOP) Thomson major role in establishing the new • The Science and Application Medal and Prize for his important agreement and has helped to bring of Plastic Electronic Materials - and elegant experimental investiga- staff from NPL and the Department Director Professor - tions in the fields of atomic physics together to discuss proposals for joint involving close collaboration with the and quantum optics. Martin Plenio activities - several new programmes Chemistry and Materials (QOLS) delivered an enthralling of research have already begun. Departments at Imperial and with 2008 Royal Society Clifford Materials scientists at Queen Mary, Patterson Prize Lecture entitled We are also pleased to announce a University of . “Taming the Quanta”. new memorandum of understanding • The Theory and Simulation for collaboration with the Cockcroft of Materials - Director Professor The 2008 IOP Hoyle Medal and Institute at the Daresbury Science and Adrian Sutton FRS - with the Prize was awarded to Michael Innovation Campus (a partnership Materials, Mechanical Engineering Rowan-Robinson (ASTRO) in between the universities of Liverpool, and Chemistry Departments. recognition of 40 years as one of Manchester and Lancaster, STFC • Controlled Quantum Europe’s leading figures in infrared and the North West Development Dynamics – initial Director Professor and submillimetre astronomy, and Agency) signed in January 2009. All Martin Plenio, from November 2009 observational cosmology. Michael sides will collaborate and employ Professor Sir Peter Knight. also received an honorary degree their accumulated strengths and from the University of Sussex. The competencies to promote the next Once again we are delighted to be 2008 IOP Paterson Medal and Prize generation of advanced accelerator able to celebrate the award of a was awarded to Russell Cowburn facilities for high energy physics, large number of prestigious prizes to (EXSS) for outstanding contributions photon science and their applications our staff and alumni. Professor to nano-magnetism and nano- in the energy and medical sectors. Mike Duff (Theoretical Physics photonics, and his internationally The Department’s High Energy Group) was elected in 2009 to a recognised success in commercially Physics, Plasma Physics and Fellowship of The Royal Society. exploiting his research through spin- Quantum Optics groups are involved. The citation reads “ has out companies. made key contributions to devel- In 2008 the Leverhulme Trust invited oping quantum ideas of super- In 2009, four researchers were expressions of interest for the support gravity, string theory and M-theory. honoured by the IOP – more than of Embedding of Emerging Disciplines. These include the discovery of at any other UK university. The After a highly competitive round the conformal anomalies and the appli- 2009 Faraday Medal, one of the proposal led by (CMTH) cations of index theorems in super- Institute's three gold medals and for Metamaterials and Electromagnetic gravity. He is also known for his awarded for outstanding contribu- Fields was successful, with funds of early work on Kaluza-Klein compact- tions to , was

3 to for his pioneering Another alumnus receiving high Knight in taking on this most presti- work in the field of plastic profile recognition this year was former gious role and it is quite remarkable electronics. The Glazebrook Medal BSc/PhD student Robert Palmer that the first two non-North American of the Institute, and another of the (Brookhaven National Laboratory), Presidents of the OSA should both Institute of Physics' gold medals, was who was elected to the USA have such a strong link with the awarded to Peter Knight for “his National Academy of Sciences. Blackett Laboratory. outstanding contributions to physics in the UK and globally, through both Sir Peter Knight (QOLS) was awarded Royal Society Wolfson Merit Awards his scholarship as a pre-eminent the 2008 Optical Society of America were made to Paul Nandra (Head of atomic and molecular optics (OSA) Frederic Ives Medal, recog- Astrophysics) in recognition of his theoretician and as a charismatic nizing overall distinction in optics. outstanding contributions to the and effective leader of research and The Ives Medal is the highest award study of black holes in galactic research organisations”. The of the OSA. nuclei using X-ray measurements Institute's Joule Medal was awarded and to Amihay Hanany (Theoretical to Jenny Nelson in recognition of her The Royal Astronomical Society Physics) in recognition of his distinguished research in applied 2008 Chapman Medal was awarded outstanding work in support of physics, specifically for the devel- to André Balogh (SPAT) for outstanding research in String Theory. opment of novel photovoltaic materials. work in the area of solar-terrestrial The Chadwick Medal for distinguished physics - under his leadership, the A Fellowship of Imperial College research in was Cluster science group at Imperial was awarded to in 2009 . awarded to Jim Virdee who has College made many important Tom is, of course, internationally played such a crucial role in all phases discoveries on the Earth’s magnetic recognised for his research in of CMS since its formation in 1992. field. André also led work on the quantum field theory and particularly magnetometer on the Ulysses for the co-discovery of the Higgs We are delighted that the IOP Bragg spacecraft and promoted the idea of boson and Higgs-Kibble Mechanism. Medal, for significant contributions to a new mission to Mercury that This award, however, celebrated his physics education, was awarded in ultimately came to fruition as the relationship with Imperial College 2009 to Becky Smith of the Simon ’s Bepi which has spanned 50 years, during Langton School, Canterbury “for her Colombo spacecraft. which time he has made enormous work to energise generations of contributions to many aspects of the pupils to take up the study of physics; Dimitri Vvedensky (CMTH) was life of the department and college. the commitment to raise substantial made a Fellow of the American The Associateship of Imperial College sums to provide major facilities in Physical Society “for his original, was awarded in 2009 to Linda Jones, astronomy and other branches of sustained, and diverse theoretical our senior administrator, whose physics in her region; and her positive contributions toward understanding unselfish devotion to the well-being influence on physics education the morphological evolution of epitaxial of the department and all its staff nationally”. Becky is an Academic thin films." Jo Haigh (SPAT) received over more than forty years has Visitor to the department and has a certificate acknowledging her benefited, and been appreciated by, close outreach collaboration with the contribution to the award of the 2007 many. Plasma Physics group. The Nobel Peace Prize to the Inter-govern- Department would also like to mental Panel on Climate Change The PHOT fibre laser research team congratulate Professor (jointly with former United States of led by Roy Taylor and comprising (National Physical Laboratory), a America Vice President Al Gore). Sergei Popov, John Travers, Andrei visiting Professor in QOLS who was Russell Cowburn (EXSS) and his Rulkov and Burly Cumberland, was awarded the 2008 IOP Thomas colleagues at Ingenia Technology awarded a College Research Young Medal and Prize for his world received a special commendation Excellence Award in 2008. The leading contributions to optical- from the judges in the Times Higher following year this award was won frequency metrology, Dr Awards in the New Business Initiative by the team, led by Russell Cowburn, (writer and broadcaster), a former section for their development of Laser working on Nanoscale Science and undergraduate, who was awarded Surface Authentication technology. Technology. We are proud to the 2008 IOP Kelvin Medal and Prize acknowledge that the Department for promoting the importance of In respect of external roles, we note has been successful with this award physics to the general public and that Chris Dainty (of the Photonics each year since the prize’s inception Professor Sougato Bose (University Group, but now based at the National in 2006. College London), a former QOLS University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland) PhD student, who was awarded the has been elected Vice President of We note with pride the award of 2008 IOP Maxwell Medal and Prize, the Optical Society of America. This several Rector’s Awards for Excellence. which is given for outstanding contri- will lead to Chris becoming President- Teaching Excellence Awards recog- butions to theoretical physics by elect next year and President the nised Dr Fay Dowker (THEO) and researchers early in their careers. following year. He follows Sir Peter Professor Dimitri Vvedensky (CMTH)

4 in 2008, and Paul Dauncey (HEPH) was awarded a NERC Advanced Horizon documentary and took a very in 2009, for their outstanding contri- Fellowship in 2008. EPSRC successful exhibit on attosecond butions. David Gentry was co- Postdoctoral Fellowships were science to the 2008 Royal Society nominated by the Department and awarded to Dr Riccardo Ricci (THEO), Summer Science Exhibition. At the Faculty for the Health and Safety Dr Julian Sonner (THEO), Dr Daniel 2009 Exhibition Ned Ekins Daukes Award in recognition of his outstanding Burgarth (QOLS) and Dr Fernando (EXSS / Grantham Institute) presented record in promoting and developing Brandao (QOLS) in 2008 and to a display entitled ‘Quantum of Sol’ a strong health and safety culture Mark Tame (QOLS) in 2009. STFC which described the principles behind both on the longer term within the Postdoctoral Fellowships were awarded photovoltaic energy conversion and Department and through his new to Dr Anne-Marie Mangan (HEP) and illustrated the potential and challenges Faculty Safety Manager role. The Dr Adam Rej (THEO) in 2008 and to that the technology offers for large award letter notes how David’s work Linda Uruchurtu Gomez (THEO) in scale electricity generation. This has often been held up within 2009. exhibit subsequently moved to the College as an example of best Science Museum to popular acclaim. practice. Bob Forsyth (SPAT) was Further recognition for our staff came The Astrophysics group, led by David co-recipient of the inaugural Pastoral from a great many invitations to Clements, also exhibited at the 2009 Care Award, 2008, in recognition of speak at international conferences RS event with a display related to exceptional contributions to the and workshops and to deliver named the Herschel and Planck space welfare of our undergraduate students lectures. Among these Peter Török projects: Herschel will be the largest over a five-year period as Senior (PHOT) was appointed 2008 Carl telescope every sent into orbit. Tutor. Arash Mostofi (CMTH & Dept Zeiss Guest Professor and gave the Materials) won this award in 2009. associated colloquium in Jena, Donal Bradley (EXSS) also appeared Germany. Chris Phillips (EXSS) on The Material World to discuss the Staff have continued to achieve gave a talk on the “Science of parliamentary Innovation, Universities, success in winning Fellowships at all Invisibility” at the largest science Science and Skills (IUSS) Select levels. We congratulate Ralf Toumi festival in Asia, TechFest 2009; a Committee’s investigation on who won a Knowledge Exchange repeat performance was to standing Engineering and in particular the Fellowship in 2009 from the Natural room only crowds and he was inter- case study addressing Plastic Environment Research Council via viewed for a major article in The Electronics Engineering for which he an AEA Technology plc award. Times of India. Jo Haigh (SPAT) acted as expert witness. As part of delivered a Lecture the information gathering process The Imperial College Junior Research “Solar variability and climate”. Jim the IUSS Select Committee Chairman Fellowship scheme was established Virdee (HEP) delivered the 20th Phil Willis MP and staff from the in 2008 to sustain the brightest and Imperial College Schrödinger Lecture committee secretariat visited the best early career researchers from entitled “Discovering the Quantum Department and Molecular Vision across the world. Each year around Universe: The Ltd to see first hand some of our 20 JRFs receive three-year fellow- Project at CERN” which was very Plastic Electronics activities and to ships, which include a competitive well received by attendees and chair a round table discussion on salary, research expenses and mentioned in the Financial Times. Plastic Electronics Engineering with mentoring support from a senior a group of researchers from Physics, Imperial academic. The first (2009) Additional media attention included Chemistry and Materials. Stefan cohort included three in Physics: Paul Nandra (ASTR) being a guest Maier (EXSS) received press interest Sugata Kaviraj (ASTR) who is working on BBC Radio 4’s The Material World (including Metro) in his “T-ray break- on the formation and evolution of to talk about ESA’s X-ray telescope through signals next generation of early-type galaxies, John Travers XEUS; Andrew Jaffe, Dave Clements security sensors” press release and (PHOT) on the ultra-fast dynamics and Steve Warren (all ASTR) attracted Dr Thomas Anthopoulos’ (EXSS) work of continuous-wave supercontinuum interest from New Scientist, Sky at on light sensing organic transistors generation) and Jaesuk Hwang (QOLS) Night Magazine and the internet was written up by The Engineer. on single atom detection and respectively. Jo Haigh (SPAT) manipulation via nano-optics and discussed “Heat” with Melvin Bragg A paper by Mike Finnis (CMTH & plasmonics. on Radio 4’s In Our Time while Fay Department of Materials) and Jim Dowker (THEO) appeared on the Sinclair, published in 1984 on what EPSRC Career Acceleration BBC Horizon Programme "Do You have become known as "Finnis- Fellowships were awarded in 2008 Know What Time it is", describing Sinclair" potentials, has become the to Will Branford (EXSS) and in 2009 her research on the of time, most cited paper in the history of to James Lucietti (HEP). STFC and Jony Hudson (QOLS) demon- Philosophical Magazine A series Advanced Fellowships were won by strated a double-slit experiment on (1978-2002) with more than 1400 Morgan Wascko and Mitesh Patel Horizon’s “How Long is a Piece of citations. To mark the 25th (both HEP) in 2008 and 2009 String”. John Tisch (QOLS) and anniversary of its publication Phil. respectively. Helen Brindley (SPAT) colleagues also appeared in a Mag. produced a special issue

5 devoted to the Finnis-Sinclair potential Officer. Dr Terry Rudolph (QOLS) Two very long serving members of and its impacts and hosted a special became a lecturer, having staff, David Gentry and Ashok celebration in the Blackett Lab. completed his EPSRC Advanced Jamdagni retired in September 2009. Fellowship, while Helen Brindley Both have enjoyed distinguished Kenny Weir (PHOT) undertook a (NERC Advanced Fellow in SPAT) careers in important support roles review of the Optics focused and Simon Bland (EPSRC and, significantly, have just over 86 Graduate Programme of SUPA Advanced Fellow in PLAS) were years service between them! (Scottish University Physics Alliance). given proleptic appointments to Another loyal long-standing member lectureships to commence at the of staff, Manu Joshi (ASTR) retired Within College Peter Knight was end of their Fellowships in 2008 after almost 40 years promoted from Principal of the Faculty service and Martin Dowman (PHOT) of Natural Sciences (FoNS) to In September 2009 we welcomed retired in the same year after nearly College Senior Principal and his our new Teaching Fellows Mark 20 years service. We wish them deputy, Professor Maggie Dallman Richards, Vijay Tymms and Caroline well for the future. (Department of Life Sciences) was van Breukelen who are already making made Principal in Peter’s place. In a huge impact with our students. On a sad note, we lost one of our 2009 Donal was appointed Deputy star researchers in 2008. Vadim Faculty Principal and Jo Haigh Head We said goodbye to Alexander Lebedenko died suddenly in 2008. of Department of Physics. Chris Schekochihin (PLAS) who left us in Dr Lebedenko worked within the Phillips was elected Dean for the December 2008 to take up a post in Dark Matter team led by Professor Faculty of Natural Sciences for two Oxford but we are pleased that his Tim Sumner and was responsible years from 2009. collaboration with the Department for building the ZEPLIN-III detector, continues with his strong links to the including the concept design, its We celebrated the careers of Mike Plasma Physics group researching manufacturing, testing and operation. Duff, Kellogg Stelle, John Pendry into astrophysical, space and fusion ZEPLIN-III is the most advanced and Peter Dornan through special plasmas. instrument of its kind in the world one-day Fests marking their 60th, and Vadim was absolutely key to its 60th, 65th and 70th birthdays Martin Plenio (QOLS) left his full successful development. respectively. All these events were time post to take up the position of hugely successful with interesting Director of the Institute of Theoretical In November 2009 we held a talks by eminent speakers from within Physics in Ulm. Martin retains a symposium in memory of one of Imperial and across the globe. Sir part-time post in the department as Britain’s space pioneers, Harry Elliot John also found time during the External Advisor to the Controlled who died earlier in the year. Harry celebration to partake in a Guardian Quantum Dynamics Centre for began his career in Manchester podcast. Training. working with on the nature and origin of cosmic rays. He Changes that occurred in our academic In addition, the following staff retired: moved with Blackett to Imperial in staff compliment include the arrival of William (Bill) Cameron took early 1953 where he established one of Dr Subu Mohanty from Harvard, who retirement from his Principal Research the UK's leading centres for cosmic took up a lectureship in the ASTR Fellow post in High Energy Physics ray research. Harry became one of group, as also did Roberto Trotta, and now lives happily in the Ardeche, the founders of Britain's and Europe's joining us from Oxford University. A southern France. Gareth Parry also participation in the scientific explo- third addition to ASTR saw David took early retirement in September ration of space and his legacy includes Clements appointed to a lectureship 2009. Gareth was an extremely many of the activities which have from within the group. David has successful researcher, teacher and developed so successfully within the been with us since 2001 most latterly Admissions Tutor for the Space Physics group. recently as Manager of the London department. Happily, Gareth Data Centre for the Herschel SPIRE continues his links with the Ten lnaugural Lectures were given instrument and Manager of the department both through his research during the years 2008 and 2009: London Planck Analysis Centre. activities and his outreach activties. Mike Finnis (CMTH and Department Oliver Buchmüller was appointed to of Materials) delivered a lecture a lectureship in HEP, joining us from Michael Rowan-Robinson (ASTR) entitled “Atoms at interfaces, theory CERN. Also in HEP, Andrei Golutvin, finished his stint as President of the and simulation from Gibbs to Gates”, spokesperson of the LHCb exper- Royal Astronomical Society and Paul Dauncey (HEP) spoke of iment at CERN was appointed to a continues in the Department contributing “Beauty is in the eye of the detector”, professorship. We welcomed significantly with research and teaching. Jenny Nelson, (EXSS) presented Professor Misha Ivanov (QOLS), Dr left us in January “Photons in, electrons out: nanos- Jaroslaw Pasternak (HEP), Dr Karl 2009 but we are delighted that he tructure and molecular materials for Sandeman (EXSS) and also Dr Nick continues an important association solar cells”, Joao Magueijo (Theoretical Harrigan as our CDT Outreach with us as Visiting Professor. Physics) presented “Anarchy and

6 Physical Laws”, Kim Christensen organisers for the Departmental has been an immense undertaking (CMTH) asked “Why do we need a Colloquia. and Paul Brown (Mechanical theory of non-elephants?” and Ray Instrumentation Workshop Manager) Murray (EXSS) spoke on “Artificial An administrative development has and his team should be heartily atoms: more useful than real?”. In been the establishment of support congratulated on seeing it through to 2009, Steve Rose’s lecture was clusters for some of the research such an obviously successful entitled “High power laser and the groups, a move that has proven to conclusion. Paul and his wife were extraordinary conditions they produce”, be highly successful. The optics fortunate enough to be selected to Stephen Warren gave “The near- administration cluster for the QOLS attend one of the Queen’s garden infrared sky at night: per ardua ad and PHOT groups provided a model parties in July 2008, a very fitting quatra” Sergei Lebedev presented for this change and the Solid State way for them to celebrate the “Plasma physics using pulsed power.” and Condensed Matter Theory completion of this mammoth task. And Lesek Frasinski spoke of “On groups have successfully clustered. We have since had two very the edge of quantum reality; probing The larger team that results from successful Open Days of this new molecules with intense laser fields”. clustering allows some more senior facility. It is the only one of its kind All ten lectures were pitched at appointments to be made and offers in College and its reputation is exactly the right level, providing a more comprehensive support rapidly growing. As a consequence informative and elegant expositions structure to academic staff in respect of funding within the EPSRC of their research fields to a mixed of advice on recruitment, accounts, Science and Innovation Award in audience of family, friends, colleagues grant proposal preparation and Quantum Coherence, and additional and experts alike. The traditional submission and other aspects of SRIF funding, we have been able to food and refreshments receptions in College research and grants, HR create new optics laboratories in the the level eight common room followed and finance policy. The Department Huxley basement which were each lecture and reminded us of the continues to support the development completed in Spring 2008. We saw importance and enjoyment derived of its administrative and technical the completion of a refurbished by many from the excellent oppor- staff through a range of training kitchen in our Level 8 Common tunity that these events provide to initiatives. The popular masterclass Room which was completely redec- celebrate the success of staff series have moved on to include orated and a new carpet and appointed/promoted to professor- more specific training modules for furniture installed. The corridors on ships in the department. administrators which will seek out Level 5 (HEP) were similarly given a those areas in research adminis- complete overhaul. The Goods Lift The latest changes within the manage- tration which can provide more was completely refurbished in 2008. ment structure of the Department detailed knowledge. We also refurbished toilets in both saw Angus Mackinnon (CMTH) Huxley and Blackett buildings. appointed to succeed Richard The Department’s Stores closed at Thompson (QOLS) as Director of the end of 2009 and the space is An alumnus Undergraduate Studies, with effect being refurbished to house the weekend (20th and 21st September from September 2009) as Richard Facilities team. We said goodbye 2008) saw a varied group of former took on the role of Head of the QOLS and a big vote of thanks to Keith students and their families visit the group, succeeding Jon Marangos Clark, Russell Nash and Darren Physics Department. They were whose role in steering a case for the Wright. Doug Hudson moved from brought up to date with how the next generation light source requires the Department to management of Department now operates by two him to spend substantial periods of faculty-wide refurbishment projects very informative talks from Gareth time away from College. Lesley but he continues to be based in Parry (EXSS), the first addressing Cohen succeeded Gareth Parry as Blackett and we continue to benefit the student experience all the way Head of the EXSS group. Steve from his expertise and experience from recruitment to graduation and Schwarz succeeded Jo Haigh as on refurbishment projects. Doug the second overviewing some aspects Head of SPAT when Jo assumed played a key role in the success of of our research programme. Guided the role of Head of Department in two major SRIF-funded projects: the tours were conducted around the January 2009. The Department is Instrumentation Facility and the undergraduate and selected research delighted to acknowledge a debt of Quantum Coherence Laboratories. laboratories and Paul Brown showed gratitude to Jon, Gareth and Jo for The fully refurbished and updated our visitors around the Mechanical their periods of tenure as Heads of Mechanical Instrumentation Facility Instrumentation Facility. Once again, Group, through which role they have was officially re-opened on 15th May Louise Hayward (Head of Department’s made many important contributions 2008 after a £3.2M Strategic Research office) oversaw organisation of the to departmental governance and Investment Fund refit. It provides the event. Michael Birch, co-founder of strategic inputs to our direction. We Department (and the wider College) the social networking site Bebo and also thank Ingo Müller-Wodarg with a state of the art facility capable an alumnus of the Department (SPAT) and Nicholas Eakins-Daukes of supporting even the most ambitious (graduated 1991) gave the keynote (EXSS) for taking on the role of co- research requirements. The project talk within a College wide Innovation

7 themed series of lectures, Quantum Electronics and Optics Stevenson, Deborah O'Neill and addressing his experiences as an Division prestigious prizes for the Andreas Esau and in 2009 Meera undergraduate and in subsequently best European PhD theses in Patel, Elwin Carlos, James Booth, setting up and growing Bebo. Donal photonics: Fernando Brandao (QOLS, Christopher Jones, Mical Stoklas, also delivered a lecture within this supervisor Martin Plenio) for his Sophie King, Damian Phelan, programme, titled ‘A TV on Your T- thesis on quantum information Sophie Baril, Arrow Lee and David Shirt’ and focussed on his personal theory and John Travers (Photonics, Chreng. We also thank the staff experiences of the entrepreneurial supervisor Roy Taylor) for his thesis representatives Tim Horbury (SPAT), development of plastic electronics on fibre supercontinuum generation. Martin McCall (PHOT) and Ben technology towards a global market Louise Hirst, a first year student Sauer PHOT). place and illustrated by experiences working with Dr Ned Ekins-Daukes in co-founding spin-out companies in Experimental Solid State Physics In 2008 Kenny Weir welcomed the Cambridge Display Technology and Group has won the best paper and first cohort of European Commission Molecular Vision. presentation award at the annual UK Erasmus Mundus students to the Photovoltaics conference, PVSAT, Department to study on the MSc in A number of PhD students have held in early April. Photonics. This scheme supports received awards and prizes during dual location, two year masters the year. James Kirkpatrick (EXSS) The courses for students from around won the 2008 Roy Prize in Condensed Association Prize was in 2008 again the globe. Matter Physics and was invited to awarded to one of our graduating give a celebratory talk at the 2008 students, Daniel Burrows who was Finally, our undergraduate recruitment Institute of Physics Condensed Matter recognised for his outstanding has continued extremely well and and Materials Physics Conference. contributions to student leadership produced a class of 232 new Louise Willingale (PLAS) won the and outreach. He chaired the 2008 students for the 2008 intake, and 2008 IOP Culham Thesis Prize (the Royal College of Science Union the same number in 2009, all of sixth award to our Plasma Physics Science Challenge Committee, whom have at least 3As at A-level or group in the seven years since this having also previously served on the equivalent. The team led by prize was first awarded) for signif- 2007 committee whilst under- Admissions Tutors Gareth Parry and icant experimental and numerical graduate Departmental Representative. Bob Forsyth, ably supported by work on the acceleration of ions to Other prizes awarded to our under- Mery Fajardo, have done an high energies by laser-plasma inter- graduate students are recorded in excellent in providing us with highly action and was invited to speak at the undergraduate teaching section qualified, interesting and motivated the Institute of Physics Plasma of this report. students. Physics meeting. Louise also won the 2008 European Physical Society Congratulations are also due to Donal Bradley (2008) and Jo Haigh Plasma Physics Thesis Prize. PhySoc (led 2007/8 by Deborah (2009) Christoph Haselwandter (CMTH) O'Neill and in 2008/9 by Arrow Lee) won the 2008 Armstrong Medal and for the continued success of the Big Prize, awarded annually by the Day of Physics (‘Einstein Day’) College for an outstanding piece of attended by some 120 school research or scholarship which children. The events, during which concerns the application of scientific the Department opens its doors to methods to industrial problems, and local school students for lab tours, which has been carried out in the lectures, seminars, demonstrations, course of studies at Imperial College and projects, are held in March each London for the PhD degree. Joe year. Zuntz (ASTR) was awarded the RAS Michael Penston Astronomy The Department is delighted to Prize as runner up in the best UK record its thanks to the Departmental astronomy thesis awards. The Representatives (Charlotte Holmes Society for Information Display (SID) 2008 and Rajiv Krishnakumar 2009) awarded £250 poster prizes and to all of the student representatives (sponsored by Merck Chemicals Ltd) on the staff student committee for to PhD students Rupa Das and Paul their ensuring a most effective student Wöbkenburg (both EXSS) at its input to the department’s activities. UK 2008 The committee comprised in 2008 meeting. In 2009, our students Edmund Henley, Rajiv Krishnakumar, continued to shine and some of the Benjamin Krikle, Damian Phelan, prizes awarded included two of the Nora Tandberg, Ren Lim, Michael European Physical Society’s Pursey, Nikhil Ratanje, Amadeus

8 Physics Staff Photograph

9 General Departmental Information

Head of Department Associate Head of Department Operations Manager Professor D. D. C. Bradley FRS (to 2009) Dr K. Weir Ms. L. Jones Professor J. D. Haigh (from 2009) Tel: 020 7594 7501 Tel: 020 7594 7502 Tel: 020 7594 7500 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 (to 2009) Professor R. Murray Professor G. Parry FREng (to 2009) Tel: 020 7594 7524 Professor A. Mackinnon (from 2009) Dr R. Forsyth (from 2009) e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 020 7594 7505 Tel: 020 7594 7513 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected]

Admissions Administrator Administrator Mery Fajardo Mr. Andrew Knight Tel: 020 7594 7513 Tel: 020 7594 7506 Email:[email protected] e-mail:[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/MRes Prospective postgraduate students interested in admission for an MSc/MRes course should contact: Dr A. Williamson Tel: 020 7594 7631, Fax: 020 7594 7777 e-mail: [email protected]

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 Head of Group: Professor A. P. Sutton FRS and Condensed Matter 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 L. F. Cohen 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 (to 2009) Professor R. C. Thompson (from 2009) 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 (to 2009) e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 020 7594 7679 Fax: 020 7594 7900 Professor S. Schwartz (from 2009) Tel: 020 7594 7871, e-mail: [email protected]

Theoretical Physics Group Administrator: Graziela de Nadai-Sowrey 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 m e b r s G r o u p A s t r o p h y i c

12 Astrophysics http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research/astro Head of Group are investigators on the govern the history and future of our Professor K. Nandra next great CMB observatory, ESA's Universe. We are involved in the Planck Surveyor mission (Fig. 1), development of theoretical and Members of the Astrophysics group which will allow us to begin to probe statistical tools for the burgeoning are involved in a wide range of the epoch of cosmic inflation believed field of astroparticle physics, one of observational and theoretical investi- to occur in the first microseconds whose aims is to provide information gations ranging from the sun and after the Big Bang. on the nature and properties of the nearby stars, to the most distant dark matter particle in ways that are universe. We have leadership in the Another crucial prediction of General complementary to what can be design, development and exploitation Relativity is Gravitational Radiation, gleaned from colliders. For example, of major facilities and projects include propagating ripples in spacetime. we are involved in predicting the Chandra, Herschel, IXO, JCMT, Planck, We are predicting the signal due to signatures of dark matter in a variety Spitzer, VLT and UKIDSS. We binary supermassive Black Holes of astrophysical channels, including appointed two new lecturers in 2008, residing at the centres of galaxies as gamma-ray emission from the Roberto Trotta and Subhanjoy they are built up over time, giving a centre of the Milky Way and from Mohanty, strengthening our work in signature of the history of structure nearby dwarf galaxies, neutrino Cosmology, and stellar/planetary formation in the universe over many emissions from the centre of the astrophysics respectively. billions of years. These signals will Sun and of the Earth, positron eventually be observable by the signals from local dark matter clumps Cosmology LISA satellite, to be launched in the and recoil signals from direct A. Jaffe, R. Trotta, A. Chamballu, next decade by NASA and ESA, detection experiments in deep D. Clements, C. MacTavish, D. Novikov, which has strong Imperial partici- underground laboratories. Imperial J. Bowyer, M. March, P. Paykari pation for hardware, theory and data astrophysicists are thus at the cutting analysis. edge of a worldwide effort to usher The Cosmic Microwave Background in the era of dark matter astronomy. (CMB) gives us a snapshot of the Extracting the best science from Formation and evolution of galaxies state of the Universe 400,000 years these large cosmological surveys after the Big Bang, when it was much require cutting-edge statistical and M. Rowan-Robinson, S. Warren, hotter, denser and far simpler than computational techniques. Imperial G. Bendo, P. Chanial, D. Clements, today. This simplicity has allowed astrophysicists have been crucial B. May, D. Mortlock, B. O’Halloran, Imperial College astrophysicists to developers of the new field of statis- M. Trichas, A. Carpineti, J. Davey, measure the density of normal tical cosmology which has and will H. Patel, M. Patel, L. Wang matter, and the Hubble Constant enable scientists to understand the (expansion rate), the curvature and properties of the ubiquitous dark Far Infrared and Submillimetre even the overall topology of the matter, the mysterious dark energy, Astronomy - We have continued Universe. Imperial College astro- and the parameters in general which scientific analysis of the Spitzer- SWIRE Survey, modelling infrared broad-band and spectroscopic data for starburst and active galaxies, and studying the X-ray-infrared connection for active galaxies. These techniques have also been applied to submillimetre galaxies found by the SHADES survey using the JCMT. We have been successful in getting observing time on a range of major telescopes to follow up different populations of SWIRE galaxies. Michael Rowan-Robinson has modelled source-counts at wavelengths from 8-850 microns and made predictions for the Herschel and Planck missions. With his PhD student Lingyu Wang he has produced a new 60 micron galaxy redshift catalogue which is Figure 1: Planck undergoing final cleaning before launch proving valuable for balloon submil-

13 Chandra data thus far. These, and additional methodological improve- ments in the analysis of X-ray survey data and optical identification of X-ray sources, has enabled us to make the best determination thus far of the X-ray luminosity function, at z~3, the highest redshift at which the accretion power of the universe has been fully characterized.

Closer to home, we have performed a detailed analysis of an enigmatic class of AGN which appear heavily obscured in the optical, but show now evidence for such absorption in the X-ray. High resolution X-ray imaging with Chandra shows that some of these, at least, are in fact obscured (Fig. 3), but that earlier Figure 2: Herschel undergoing testing at ESTEC data with worse angular resolution limetre surveys (BLAST) and for Black Holes were unable to pinpoint the buried Planck planning. black hole. K. Nandra, E. Laird, A. Georgakakis, Final preparations for ESA’s J. Aird, M. Brightman, S. Bhayani, A major development this year has Herschel mission (Fig. 2), due for J. Digby-North been a ramping up of our launch in May 2009, continue and involvement in the future X-ray we are strongly involved in two Our primary focus continues to be astronomy mission IXO, the major extragalactic surveys, exploitation of the Chandra X-ray International X-ray Observatory, HERMES and ATLAS, amounting to survey of the AEGIS field. We are which was formed by the merger of a total of 1500 hours of time (over using this dataset to elucidate the the ESA/JAXA XEUS mission and 15% of the total available during evolution of black hole accretion NASA’s Constellation-X. IXO will Herschel’s 3 year life). We also power in the distant universe and its make the deepest images of the X- have a major interest in the all-sky relationship to galaxy evolution. ray universe yet obtained (Fig. 4). It submillimetre extragalactic survey Highlights this year include continued will also open a new widow on the which will be carried out by the work on the influence of active physics of accreting black holes and Planck mission, being launched with galactic nuclei (AGN, which host cosmic hot plasmas via a ~100 fold Herschel. David Clements leads the accreting black holes) on the colour increase in collecting area for high group studying nearby galaxies and transformation of galaxies, and the resolution X-ray spectroscopy Michael Rowan-Robinson is co- quenching of star formation (the compared to current missions. The leader of the group studying distant latter with Bundy, U. Toronto). We galaxies. have also shown that an extremely large fraction (~40%) of AGN are Michael Rowan-Robinson and Brian found in groups of galaxies at z~1, May (Visiting Researcher) are confirming our previous results that continuing studies of zodiacal dust, accretion activity occurs predomi- including modelling, planning of nantly in dense large-scale structure future ground-based observations environments at high redshift.We and involvement in the Planck have also been exploring the X-ray zodiacal dust programme. properties of AGN and powerful starburst galaxies selected in the We are undertaking a search for infrared (with Marcillac, U. Arizonna quasars of very high redshift z>6 and Park, Harvard). with the UKIRT Infrared Deep Sky Survey with the goal of exploring the A technical paper has solved the epoch of reionisation of the Universe. long-standing problem of incom- Figure 3: Chandra X-ray image image The highest-redshift source discovered pleteness and Eddington bias in X- of the galaxy NGC 4501 (Brightman & Nandra 2008). The black cross marks so far has z=6.13, one of the most ray surveys, giving the deepest and the position of the optical nucleus, distant quasars known. The survey most accurate determination of the where the X-rays reveal a very heavily is now 25% complete. X-ray number counts based on obscured accreting black hole.

14 large range of wavelengths (Unruh be just chance configurations and et al 2008). Work is now in progress are thus a clue to the binary to extend these comparisons to formation mechanism. To further cover a longer time span including strengthen this result, a new statis- the current unusually long solar tical test has been devised and minimum. implemented.

The formation of low-mass stars, Type Ia supernovae brown dwarfs and planets The UV fluxes of these standard How stars like our sun form is one candles greatly exceed values of central, and surprisingly ill-under- allowed by line-blocking due to stood, problems in astrophysics. thousand of overlapping metal lines. Elucidating the mechanisms of The likely explanation is reverse stellar origins – and in particular, the fluorescence in the very outermost Figure 4: Simulation of a 1Ms physics of the accretion disks that layers of optical photons by ions exposure with the International X-ray surround and feed growing young such as FeII and NiII. The early Observatory (IXO). This next gener- stars – is also crucial for under- treatment of this effect in Lucy ation X-ray satellite will uncover standing planet formation, since (1999) is being upgraded using the accreting black holes out to the edge of planets coalesce out of these Monte Carlo technique of the observable universe, and map their evolution throughout cosmic time. accretion disks. Finally brown constrained Lambda iterations (Lucy dwarfs illuminate both stellar and 2003). group has a major leadership role in planetary birth: on the one hand, the the international project via the IXO formation mechanism of these ultra- Supernovae Co-ordination Group, and is leading low mass bodies sets strong constraints We have continued our programme IXO science definition activities in on our general theories of star of supernova studies in collaboration the UK. formation; on the other, disks around with a number of groups world-wide, Stellar and planetary astrophysics brown dwarfs provide crucial especially those at QUB and the insights into disk physics in general. University of Turku. The wealth of L. Lucy, P. Meikle, S. Mohanty, Finally, planets may form around data from the Spitzer Space Y.C. Unruh, N. Afram, W. Ball, brown dwarfs too, just as they do Telescope provides a major part of S. Sale, M. Skelly around stars. This is an emerging this programme. The emphasis field of research, but one that continues to be the investigation of Solar variability promises to vastly broaden our the role played by supernovae and Solar irradiance (that is the Sun's knowledge of planetary origins and their progenitors in universal dust radiation received at the top of the properties. formation. We have shown that Earth's atmosphere) shows core-collapse supernova progenitors variability on time scales ranging At Imperial, we are involved in all often release large quantities of dust from minutes to centuries. Over the aspects of the above research, in their stellar winds – up to a few recent years, long-term variability with particular emphasis on brown thousandths of a solar mass. over decades and centuries has dwarfs: using the largest ground and received particular attention as a space based telescopes, state-of- However, we also increasingly find possible contributor to climate the-art instrumentation, theoretical that the dust mass we can see in the change. Together with collaborators analysis and numerical simulations, supernova explosions themselves is at the Max-Planck-Institute for Solar we (1) study gas accretion and small. Thus we do not support the System Research, we have been magnetic field interactions in young hypothesis that large amounts of investigating the varying solar brown dwarfs to constrain theories dust detected at high redshifts origi- irradiance. In particular, we have of star formation; (2) use mid- nated in supernova explosions. developed models to chart the infrared spectra to study the planet- wavelength-dependent changes on forming capabilities of dusty disks timescales from days to decades. girdling young brown dwarfs, and (3) conduct adaptive-optics imaging With the launch of the SORCE and surveys to try and directly detect SCIAMACHY spacecrafts in 2003 any planets orbiting brown dwarfs. and 2002, we have for the first time reliable measurements against Double stars which to test our models in the visible In recent years, following early work and near-infrared. First comparisons by Lucy & Ricco (1979), binaries covering three solar rotations show with nearly identical components - excellent agreement between our 'twins' - are increasingly being models and measurements over a recognized as occurring too often to

15 m e b r s G r o u p T h e o r y M a t e r C o n d e s

16 Condensed Matter Theory http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research/cmth Head of Group: The secret to musical creativity Molecular level simulations of Professor A. P. Sutton, FRS S. Rahman, K. Christensen, Our research spans four principal H. J. Jensen (Mathematics) A. G. Bailey, .C P. Lowe*, A. P. Sutton areas: Complexity and Networks, J. Bhattacharya (Goldsmiths) * University of Amsterdam Materials Physics, Metamaterials, and Strongly Correlated Systems. The aim is to explore patterns in We have developed a new coarse- Complexity and Networks brain activity when musicians play. grained method for simulating glassy The main objective is to elucidate polymers and filamentary structures We are participants in the transdisci- what happens when creative leaps in biological systems. The method is plinary Complexity and Networks and ingenuity occur, thereby improving designed to treat the dynamics of programme at the Institute for Mathe- our understanding of creativity. elastically stiff but flexible filaments, matical Sciences (www.imperial.ac.uk/ Atrial fibrillation by approximating them as contiguous mathsinstitute), the aim of which is sequences of short, straight, inter- to improve our understanding of how N. Peters (National Heart and Lung acting segments of fixed length. complex systems work. This is achieved Institute), K. Christensen by collaborative studies of specific Grain boundaries in strontium titanate examples of complex systems within Annually more than 45,000 people N. A. Benedek, A. L. S. Chua, C. a variety of fields. in the UK are diagnosed with atrial Elsässer*, M. W. Finnis, A. P. Sutton How self-regulatory social systems fibrillation, and any progress in * Fraunhofer Institute for Materials work characterising the complexity of heart Mechanics, Freiburg activity in atrial fibrillation would be E. Arcaute, K. Christensen useful. Summarising such observations The technological importance of in a theoretical framework yields a polycrystalline strontium titanate Most human social systems are deeper understanding, enabling (SrTiO3) is directly linked to the governed by centralised rules, generating predictions. properties of its grain boundaries. As rigid top down approaches. However, Materials Physics part of an EU-funded consortium we in nature systems self regulate and have investigated ways of calculating self stabilise through non-centralised Quantum Mechanical Simulations of the structures of grain boundaries. rules. Ant colonies, that have evolved Non-Adiabatic Processes For general boundaries, first-principles over millions of years as successful D. R. Mason, C. P. Race , W. M. C. simulations are prohibitively expensive, multi-component systems, represent Foulkes, M. W. Finnis, A. P. Horsfield, and even the simplest require high- the pinnacle of social evolution in A. P. Sutton performance computers. We have animals. This project aims to extract assessed the accuracy of a number generic rules from this biological Most simulations of solids assume of existing interatomic potentials by system that give rise to sustainable that the electrons remain in their comparing predicted structures and self regulatory dynamics. ground state at all times. This energies of three simple grain bound- Networks Emergence and dynamics approximation is normally quite aries in SrTiO3 with density functional accurate but cannot describe the theory. The boundary structures P. Expert, R. Lambiotte, M. Barahona "drag" forces felt by fast-moving ions produced by the simplest of the poten- (Bioengineering), K. Christensen, as they excite electrons. We have tials do agree reasonably well with DFT H. J. Jensen (Mathematics) characterized the drag forces in structures, although the energies do not. F.Turkheimer (Clinical Neurosciences) detail by using Ehrenfest dynamics, Quantum of Point in which electrons are treated Defects The brain is one the most complex explicitly and quantum mechanically, systems in nature. How does it work? and nuclei are treated classically. K. Frensch, N. D. M. Hine, W. M. C. Analysis of correlation networks These results have enabled us to Foulkes, M. W. Finnis extracted from fMRI time series shows test standard procedures for incor- a power-law degree distribution of porating these drag forces into We began this work by showing how the nodes. This fingerprint of the large-scale molecular dynamics to improve the accuracy and reliability organisation of a working brain guides simulations of irradiation damage. of the quantum mechanical techniques our work that focuses on the dynamics used to calculate point defect formation of networks that can lead to the and migration energies in wide band emergence of non-trivial phenomena. gap insulators. By combining the results of our quantum mechanical calculations with detailed thermody- namic studies, we were able to answer

17 several long standing questions about (iii) continuum solvation models for combination of disorder and interac- the properties of defects in alumina, embedding a system in a dielectric tions, which are difficult theoretical including the famous "corundum medium. The inaugural ONETEP and computational problems, repre- conundrum". In particular, we now summer school, combining lectures sents a formidable challenge for understand the buffering mechanism on fundamental principles with hands- computer simulation. Nevertheless that often limits the effects of impurities on tutorials, was held in Cambridge some progress has been made: we on intrinsic point defect concentrations. and attracted participants from across have developed an approach, which the UK. ONETEP is distributed combines aspects of the transfer commercially by Accelrys Inc., and matrix and density matrix renormali- an academic license is available to sation group, with which it is possible researchers at academic institutions to study the behaviour of transport (see www.onetep.org) in asymptotically large systems. This overcomes many of the practical Self assembly of polar semicon- problems associated with previous ductor nanorods approaches, which tended to be P. D. Haynes, P. Tangney, N. D. M. limited to systems, which were far Hine, P. Avraam too small to yield meaningful results.

Nanorods are solid particles with aspect Understanding glass corrosion by ratios of between 3 and 10 and an inverse method diameters as small as a few nano- P. Tangney, X. Yang, W. E. Lee Figure 1. Snapshot of one of the metres. In solution, nanorods tend to (Department of Materials), D. Lesnic millions of configurations of electrons self assemble, either forming chains (Leeds) generated during a diffusion quantum or superlattices. It has been found Monte Carlo simulation of a cell of that nanorods made from certain Window panes are manufactured by alumina. The blue dots are electrons, polar materials can have large dipole pouring a molten silicate onto a bath the red spheres are oxygen ions, and moments, and it has been suggested of molten tin. During this ‘float bath’ the grey spheres are aluminium ions. that dipole-dipole interactions between process some tin diffuses into the Linear-scaling first-principles nanorods may be a key force driving glass corroding it to produce a haze calculations self assembly. We are constructing on the surface. Unfortunately, the models to understand the electro- composition of glass is so complex, P. D. Haynes, A. A. Mostofi, N. D. M. statics of nanorods, and testing the and experimental techniques for Hine, C. P. Pointon, L. E. Ratcliff, M. results against first principles calcu- probing it so crude, that under- Robinson*, D. D. O'Regan*, H. H. lations of nanorods of GaAs in the standing the corrosion mechanism Helal*. * wurtzite structure. These simulations, has so far eluded the glass industry. involving several thousand atoms, We are helping Pilkington Glass to By balancing efficiency and accuracy, have been carried out using ONETEP tackle this problem using a combined first-principles density-functional theory whose functionality has been extended theoretical and experimental approach. (DFT) calculations have had an immense (i) by modifying the Coulomb interaction We solve the inverse problem: starting impact on the study of condensed used to isolate nanorods in spite of from data produced by SIMS we matter systems. In collaboration with periodic boundary conditions, and deduce the form and parameters of C.-K. Skylaris (Southampton) and M. C. (ii) by including fractionally charged continuum equations describing Payne (Cambridge), we have developed pseudo-ligands to neutralize the diffusion and chemical reactions that the ONETEP linear-scaling DFT code, polar surfaces. can reproduce this data. Knowing which is able to perform calculations the equations that can best fit the Disorder and Interactions on nanostructures and biomolecules experimental data gives us key comprising tens of thousands of atoms. A. MacKinnon, M. Tahir insights into the corrosion mechanism. An EPSRC HPC Software Develop- ment grant has enabled ONETEP to The theory of transport in disordered Angiogenesis of the Human achieve an order of magnitude increase systems and, in particular, its Placenta in performance for solids and a host of relationship to experiment is far from J. Gill , C. Salafia*, D. D. Vvedensky added functionality. A satisfactory. Numerical simulations *New York University Centre JRF enabled work on local of non-interacting systems give a orbital analysis. Work is also being consistent description of the critical The placenta is the sole fetal source carried out on developing methods behaviour across a wide range of of oxygen and nutrients. The normal for (i) the prediction of spectroscopic underlying models. Unfortunately it shape of a human placenta is well experimental data, such as NMR and is not consistent with any experi- understood, but there are many possible ESR (ii) beyond-DFT methods for ments. The obvious missing ingre- deviations from the norm. The variability studying strongly correlated materials dient in the theory is the interactions of the shape of the placenta has been and organo-metallic proteins, and between electrons. However, the correlated with birth weight, and has

18 been suggested as an indicator of activity of the strongest sugar solutions Quantum coherence in ultracold atoms morbidity (disease) in later life. We have need the wave to propagate for 1,000 D. K. K. Lee, S. Genway, T. Duric initiated this study by studying the wavelengths for the same effect, i.e. distributions of various placenta the effect is 100,000 times weaker. Advances in quantum optics have led characteristics to ascertain the These extreme chiral systems in which to unprecedented control over laser- general features of growth. Detailed light propagation depends extremely cooled atomic clouds. The observation models for the diffusion of nutrients strongly on the spin of the photon and control of Bose condensation at within the placenta are in progress. possess novel properties that have nanokelvin temperatures have opened Renormalization group approach to been shown to the analogous to the up a whole new area of interdisciplinary simulation of dense plasmas behaviour of conduction electrons in research between condensed matter graphene where the pseudo spin of theory and atomic physics. In collab- E. Barkadourov, R. E. Caflisch*, the electron creates similar effects. oration with Andrew Ho at Royal J. Luginsland** Holloway , we * UCLA, ** NumerEx (Ithaca, New York) are studying multiband optical lattices where atomic resonances can be used Dense plasmas arise in several to tune the collective behaviour of contexts, ranging from the interiors of fermionic atoms to display different large planets to inertial confinement. forms of magnetism. Such plasmas combine a breadth of length and time scales, and require We are also studying the decoherence long length/time scale simulation of qubits coupled to reservoirs of techniques due to this disparity of Figure 2: Part of a chiral metamaterial energy and particle exchange. scales. Building on our previous work, built by Mike Wiltshire. The structure is Decoherence is a key obstacle this project has shown how the renor- approximately 2cm long and is designed preventing an implementation of the malization group provides a rigorous to work at around 100MHz. Note the quantum computer. The surprising separation of physical phenomena helically wound strips of copper. Applying an result is that even very small reservoirs based on their length/time scales. electric field creates a strong magnetic could cause significant decoherence as well as an electric response, and vice Starting with an analytic approach to in the qubits. Our aim is to design versa. As far as we are aware these are cold-atom systems where such electrostatic shielding, we have demon- the most chiral materials in existence. strated how behaviour at shorter length decoherence can be studied in detail. scales can be incorporated in coarser We have played a key role in estab- Excitonic superfluids representations. This leads to a lishing the new field of transformation numerical approach that can be used optics. It enables one to design optical D. K. K. Lee, P. Eastham in conjunction with kinetic methods to systems showing very unusual Excitons are bound pairs of electrons treat dense plasmas in a kinetic properties. Perhaps the most striking and holes. They are neutral entities framework, where numerical issues application has been the design of a predicted to exhibit Bose condensation. like grid heating typically harm fidelity. cloak that hides objects whilst remaining One of the most convincing candidates perfectly invisible and transparent, is the double quantum well in a strong Metamaterials, which we reported last year. This year’s magnetic field. The strong correlation and negative refraction developments include a prescription for between electrons in one quantum well J. B. Pendry, M. Wiltshire, A. Aubry, extending the applicability of the cloak and holes in the other may lead to A. Demetriadou, D. Millson, Wei to optical frequencies using the concept fractional quantum Hall states exhibiting Hsiung Wee of quasi-conformal mapping. This fractional charge (see fig.3). In collabo- produces a cloak made of isotropic ration with Nigel Cooper in Cambridge, We presented a new theory that material. There are experiments which we are developing a theoretical description showed how negative refraction can exploit our design to produce an of these systems which aims to under- be achieved at optical frequencies optical cloak, and which will be in stand apparently contradictory experi- by exploiting the links with four-wave print by the time this report appears. mental findings about the existence of mixing experiments. Whereas negative Strongly correlated systems excitonic superfluidity in these system. refraction apparently reverses the spatial trajectory of a wave, four- When we put together a large collection wave mixing simulates the reversal of atoms or electrons, order may of the arrow of time. emerge from their cooperative behaviour. A central challenge in We have manufactured structures is the that are highly chiral at RF frequencies question: "how does the sum become (see fig.2). Our latest samples can more than its parts?" These "emergent achieve a 90° rotation of the polari- phenomena" can give rise to new Figure 3: a meron: a spin texture sation of an RF signal within 1/100 possibilities in the design of new carrying half an electronic charge in the wavelength. In contrast the optical materials and devices. quantum Hall bilayer.

19 m e b r s G r o u p P h y s i c S t a e S o l i d E x p e r i m a n t l

20 Experimental Solid State Physics http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research/exss Head of Group: Professor L F Cohen

The Experimental Solid State Physics group is in a very strong position in terms of research profile. The group has recently expanded in the areas of Photovoltaics (Amanda Chatten and Ned Ekins-Daulkes), Plastic Electronics (Ji-Seon Kim, Thomas Anthopoulos,) and Magnetism (Karl Sandeman), bringing the total academic staff to 19, with 37 post doctoral Figure 1: LHS -Showing a transparent sheets doped with nanocrystals for staff and 48 PhD students. We also use in a luminescent solar concentrator. RHS -Showing single junction record for high welcomed Will Branford’s award as performance single junction quantum well solar cell. an EPSRC Career Acceleration sustainable economy. Research in the gated as a means to improve the Fellow. Significant strategic develop- group concerns the application of efficiency of existing a-Si and OPV ments relate to the award of the new nanostructured materials to achieve solar cells. This work also forms the centre for doctoral training (CDT) in efficiency gains in photovoltaic devices. foundation of a new type of solar cell, Plastic Electronics and the setting up the Molecular Intermediate Band solar of the Centre for Plastic Electronics Organic photovoltaic devices offer the cell that is fundamentally more efficient and the Centre for Plasmonics and possibility to generate solar electricity than standard single junction devices. Metamaterials. The group has had at a very low cost per device area. major input into the creation of these The devices are composed of The group has pioneered a high activities and is playing a pivotal role combinations of electron acceptor performance quantum well solar cell in all three. and electron donor materials, that recently attained an efficiency of including polymer / fullerene 'bulk 27.3%, almost matching the world The research mission of EXSS is to heterojunction' blends and hybrid record for single junction photo- carry out exemplary basic science polymer / nanocrystal composites. voltaic energy conversion of 27.8%. and technology development in the Work is underway to understand the These cells are desirable for use in key thematic areas defined by both detailed relationships between blend high-performance terrestrial solar College and Research Council morphology, charge transport and concentrating systems. A spin-out research strategy, namely: Renewable recombination, and is applied to company, QuantaSol, was recently Energy and Efficient Energy Use, optimise device performance, mainly founded with the aim to fill this Sensors and Nanomagnetism, through control of self-organisation commercial opportunity. Plastic Electronics, Communications during processing and the use of Materials for Energy Efficient and Optoelectronics, and Research novel materials and device structures. Refrigeration at the Interface with Biomedical Sciences. Work in all of these areas In the Luminescent Solar Concentrator, L. F. Cohen, A. D. Caplin, J. Moore, is strongly supported by interna- sunlight is down-shifted and guided K. Morrison tionally leading theoretical studies to the edges of the device where it and modelling. is then converted by PV cells. Such Modern society is heavily reliant on Energy and Efficient Energy Use a system is capable of collecting refrigeration. However, the both diffuse and direct sunlight and widespread cooling technology is Solar Cell Research has the potential to significantly based on century-old vapour- reduce costs by reducing the area of compression refrigeration cycle and K. W. J. Barnham, D. D. C. Bradley, expensive PV cells required. We uses chemicals that adversely affect A. J.Chatten, N. J. Ekins-Daukes, aim to improve device efficiencies the global climate. It is estimated J. Nelson, , P. Atienzar, , I.Ballard, by investigating new nanosized that refrigeration systems use as J. Connolly, R. Ginige, S. Tuladhar, luminophores with intrinsically large much as 15 percent of the total A. Ballantyne,P. Keivanidis, J. Adams, Stokes’ shifts in combination with energy consumed worldwide. We R. Bose ,B. Browne, J. Dane, alternative geometries and nanoscale use a unique set of characterisation C. Dyer-Smith, D. Farrel, T. Ferenczi, optical elements for more efficient probes including scanning Hall T. Ishwara, M. Pravettoni. light management. probe imaging and micro-calorimetry to study the nature of the magnetic The ability to capture and store solar Molecular approaches to up and transition for the important class of energy is a key requirement for a down conversion are being investi- magnetic magnetocaloric materials

21 for efficient environmentally friendly Laser Scattering Sensors room temperature refrigeration. Fig R. Cowburn, J. Buchanan, J. Berg, 2 shows how needle-like nucleation S. Buehlmann, C. Lim, P. Seem, sites are created in a manner very F. Turner similar to crack formation as discussed by Griffith (1920). Prof. Cowburn's group has continued development and commercialisation of a laser scattering sensor based on a principle called Laser Surface Authentication (LSA) which can probe microscopic and nanometre Figure 2: Shows two tone Hall images scale imperfections in surfaces. A Figure 4. Schematic diagram of the dc of the magnetic field driven spin-out company Ingenia Technology magnetic metamaterial showing the magetocaloric transition across the b Ltd is working closely with Prof square superconducting plates face of a large single crystal of Cowburn's group to bring the combined into a tetragonal lattice. The magnetic field lies are pushed into the prototype Gd5Ge4 at 30K. Black technology to market. Highlights indicates the antiferromagnetic (AFM) from this year include the deployed gaps between the plates. The arrow through the centre of the plates shows phase and yellow indicates the ferro- into live industrial manufacturing magnetic (FM) phase. The switch from the induced magnetic dipole. (After environments of the sensor in order Magnus et al Nature Materials 08) AFM to FM creates the necessary to detect counterfeit and smuggled entropy change to provide cooling. high-value goods. demonstration of a “dc cloaking” metamaterial (Nature Materials 08) Narrow Gap Semiconductors for using stacked superconducting plates. Sensors and Nanomagnetism Spintronics and Sensors Applications Frustrated Magnetic Nanostructures L. F. Cohen, J. C. Gallop, S. A. Solin, 3D Magnetic Memory Devices A. M. Gilbertson W. R. Branford, S. Ladak

R. Cowburn, D. Petit, D. Read, Narrow gap semiconductors (NGS) We study arrays of magnetic nanos- L. Thevenard, E. Lewis, L. O’Brien, have high electron mobility and low tructured honeycomb lattices, where J. Sampaio, Huang Zeng. surface depletion and as such are of the geometric structure imposes interest for nanostructured magne- frustration on the magnetic order We are developing an ultrahigh density toresistive sensors. We are interested demonstrating long range manifes- 3D memory device for computer to know how side wall scattering, tation of what is known as “spin ice” application. Shaping of nanowires device processing and quantum well rules. The magnetic state of the array fabricated from ferromagnetic metals structure influence the device properties is imaged directly with magnetic force form conduits that allow magnetic at the nanoscale. The area is important microscopy (MFM) and correlated domain walls to flow in a controlled for next generation read head sensors with the electrical transport properties. fashion. Highlights from this year and for the creation of imaging arrays. At low temperatures the system include the first complete model of shows strong evidence of chiral order how a domain wall interacts with Ballistic Probes to interrogate Spin and may shed light on the as yet artificial defects created in the Polarisation and Superconducting poorly understood spin Hall effect. nanowire and the development of a Energy Gaps Plastic Electronics ‘domain wall transistor’ in which the L. F Cohen, K. A. Yates, F. Magnus, passage of a domain wall through a I. Usman Molecular Electronic Materials and nanowire channel is controlled by Devices the magnetic state of a third ‘gate’ Ballistic superconducting probes are terminal (published APL 2008). used to sense the spin polarisation T. D. Anthopoulos, D. D. C. Bradley, of the charge current in materials J. Nelson, A. J. Campbell, J-S Kim, important for spintronics such as P. N. Stavrinou, J. Kirkpatrick, M. Voigt, dilute magnetic oxides and multilayer P. Levermore, C. Belton, C. Cheung, CoPt structures using a technique D.-Y.Chung, J. Frost, A. Guite , called Andreev probe spectroscopy. J. Kwiatkowski, M. Ng, R. Stanley, Figure 3. A magnetic nanowire Using a similar technique nanostruc- T. Wellinger P. Wöbkenberg. carrying a domain wall with artificially tured metallic contacts can be used decorated edges to control the propa- to probe the superconducting energy Organic semiconductors are a unique gation of the wall gap such as in the new class of Fe class of materials with numerous based superconductors discovered emerging applications that include in 2008. The collaborative project organic photovoltaics (OPVs), light- with Prof John Pendry produced a emitting diodes () and field- effect transistors (OFETs). We have

22 have additionally been working Communications and closely with industry on the devel- Optoelectronics opment of high mobility OFETs and integrated circuits based on soluble Quantum Dots small molecule organics such as C60, R. Murray, E. Harbord, P. Spencer C70 and C84 fullerenes. Use of high E. Clarke, M. Taylor, M. Lumb, R. performance organic semicon- Hubbard ductors in bifunctional transistors such as light-sensing and light- Nanoscale inclusions of InAs emitting OFETs is also being explored. embedded in GaAs (Quantum Dots, QDs) offer significant attreactionfor Figure 5: ITO-free polymer LEDs fabri- Other, interface driven, research is next generation of laser sources for cated by Peter Levermore using VPP- concerned with novel optical interac- telecommunications applications. PEDOT. (photograph courtesy of Meilin tions that arise as a result of the More recent applications of QDs are Sancho) numerous interfaces found in typical as single photon sources (SPS) for active experimental and theoretical device structures. A notable one quantum cryptography and some programmes on charge transport. involves the surface plasmon states quantum computing schemes. Experimental work has focussed on that can be supported at metal- Monolithic integration of QDs within the measurement of charge mobility polymer interfaces. Our interest is optical cavities enhances photon in organic films and its dependence on in examining the strength of these extraction in SPS while the fast chemical structure, composition and interactions, particularly in terms of recovery dynamics of QDs also makes processing conditions. Theoretical the energy-transferred or shared at them ideal saturable absorbers for methods to relate the charge transport the interface and how it may be modelocking solid state lasers which properties to their chemical and controlled through sensitive choice now find applications in surgery, physical structure use a multi-scale of structure-thicknesses-material metrology, telecommunications and approach incorporating atomistic properties. Significant modifications remote sensing. We have continued molecular dynamics (Figure 5), to the radiative properties of a to lead developments in these fields. quantum-chemical methods and structure are possible and may be kinetic Monte Carlo simulations. We selectively employed in device struc- have also studied the physical structure tures to enhance performance. – charge transport relationship in crystalline polymers for OFETs with Two further themes in our research our collaborators at Cornell using have been the development of: (i) Figure 6: Atomic Force Micrograph of synchrotron X-ray diffraction. processing methods that are well- uncapped InAs islands deposited on suited to the fabrication of molecular GaAs. The islands are 40 nm in At the device level, current research electronic devices and (ii) high diameter and 7 nm high. Capping with areas include charge injection, conductivity variants of the polymeric GaAs completes the dots. transport, trapping and light emission conductor PEDOT:PSS as replace- Silicon germanium based optoelec- and the structure – property relationship ments for indium tin oxide electrodes. tronics and microelectronics in conjugated polymers and small In the former category are included molecules, OLEDs and OFETs. a new 'interlayer' lithography process J. Zhang, P. N. Stavrinou, G. Parry, Work on polymer LEDs includes for patterning and a novel stamp S. Y. Chiam, W. Elder research directed towards lighting transfer process for multilayer applications (funded by a BP project device fabrication (both the subject Research in this area aims to on energy efficient buildings) and of patent filings). In the latter produce GeSi based technology to metal-oxide cathode based structures category, the focus has been on implement optoelectronic and micro- (with Saif Haque in Chemistry). We another patented procedure, namely electronic devices such as quantum have also recently gravure printed the vapour phase polymerization cascade lasers and optical modulators both the PEDOT:PSS layer and the (VPP) of EDOT monomer: Excellent on the silicon platform. Using light emitting polymer (LEP) layer in properties have been achieved e.g. molecular beam epitaxy for material a high performance, flexible polymer conductivity up to 1200 S/cm and growth we have produced quantum LED, achieving the same performance ready compatibility with flexible cascade laser structures which as a device fabricated by the substrate devices. utlize inter-subband transitions for conventional spin-coating method. light emission and demonstrated We have investigated the confor- electroluminescence. Recently we mation of high performance LEPs in commenced work on stress balanced solution using light scattering (with Ge/GeSi optical modulators based Joachim Steinke in Chemistry) and on the quantum confined Stark small angle neutron scattering at the effect. Models of structures are Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. We developed using envelop function

23 approach to account for effects of example is at the interface with the field as well as strain. biomedical sciences, and the fact Nanophotonics, Plasmonics and that our research group is embedded Metamaterials within one of world’s largest concen- trations of advanced bio-medical S. Maier, P. N. Stavrinou, C. C. Phillips, research has helped a number of D. D. C. Bradley, Y. Sonnefraud, cross-disciplinary research collabo- R.J. Steed, M. Frogley, M. Matthews, rations to flourish. D. Y. Lei, H. Yoon, G. McPhee Plasmonics for Biological Sensing

This research is driven by the vision L. F. Cohen, S. Maier, C. C. Phillips, to create highly miniaturized photonic P. Stavrinou, R. Maher, M. Mohr circuits and processing units with typical dimensions far below the Plasmonic amplification of light wavelength of the radiation used. As allows the extremely sensitive one highlight, we have developed chemical detection, down to just a Figure 8: Images of a throat cancer plasmonic surface waveguides handful of biomolecules, via a biopsy (from collaborators at the Lincoln’s operating at THz frequencies exhibiting dramatic enhancement of their Inn Fields Cancer Research UK Labs) so called spoof surface plasmon optical absorption characteristics. At taken with the standard “H+E” plant modes, with highly increased the other end of the spectrum, we dyeing method (upper) and imaged in the confinement for applications in far- use designer “Spoof Plasmon” mid-IR. So called” digital staining” infrared waveguiding and optical surfaces to squeeze THz radiation algorithms can be used to generate sensing, published in Nature Photonics. close to surfaces where it can detect highly selective imaging modalities At mid-infrared frequencies, we have chemicals attached to them. before we developed a brand new developed the new concept of Similarly, Raman Spectroscopy, a laser-based system, a spin-off from quantum metamaterials based on technique for chemical detection, our opto-electronics research. Now highly doped semiconductors, opening can be dramatically improved by we can get tissue images in a few up a new paradigm for tunable plasmonic field enhancement. seconds. Also, we can image live surface waveguides in this regime of Enormous sensitivity enhancements, cell cultures, cancer biopsy samples the spectrum. Finally at optical up to 108 are possible, and now we and bone collagen with 100 psec frequencies, we have developed the are developing colloidal gold nanos- time resolution, mapping out the basic building blocks for slow-light tructures which are potentially chemical distributions with metamaterials based on a classical capable of detecting disease- diffraction-limited accuracy. The IR analogue of electromagnetically specific enzymes down to single absorption maps are combined into induced transparency. In order to molecular level. false colour “digitally stained” overcome the often significant Mid-Infrared Imaging for Cancer images that our pathologist collabo- absorption losses, we are investi- Detection rators can use for disease diagnosis gating the incorporation of polymer with much improved sensitivity and layers exhibiting optical gain. S. Maier, C. C. Phillips, H. Amrania, selectivity. J. Gambari Organic photoconductors for X-ray imaging Mid-IR, in the 3< <14 m wavelength range, is absorbed by exciting D. D. C. Bradley, J. Nelson, localised vibrations in chemical P. N. Stavrinou, M. Campoy Quilles Figure 7: Localization of the electric field bonds in a way that gives each bio- at 1 THz above a flat metal film (left), and molecule an easily recognisable In collaboration with the a structured plasmonic metamaterials spectral “fingerprint” . If we chose Optoelectronics group in Cambridge (right), based on the spoof surface image the slice at the right and the Medical Physics group in plasmon concept. wavelengths, we can “see” the same UCL Physics, we are developing chemicals (e.g. the acids in DNA) organic photodetectors to detect the Research at the interface with the that the traditional plant dyes pick green light from X-ray scintillation Biomedical Sciences up, but in a way that gives a screens. The current challenge is to plethora of new, and scientifically integrate them with their own One of the attractive features of robust information that is proving organic OFET signal amplifier. Solid State Physics research is the invaluable for both extending and way its discoveries and inventions semi-automating cancer diagnosis. impact across all the Sciences and, increasingly, we are becoming The challenges are mainly techno- actively involved in implementing logical. Getting useable mid-IR theses advances ourselves. A prime pictures used to take 10’s of hours,

24 High Energy Physics http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research/hep Head of Group Calorimeter (ECAL) measures electron only, observed phenomenon not Professor J. Nash and photon energies via scintillation allowed by the . light signals in lead tungstate crystals. The High Energy Group is influential Electrons are vital for W and Z boson The most exciting physics that T2K in many of the current and future observation and allow studies of will probe is the existence of a hitherto international experiments that inves- Standard Model physics which will unobserved neutrino oscillation tigate the fundamental particles and confirm performance and calibrate process: muon neutrinos oscillating the forces between them. A primary CMS as well as provide opportunities into electron neutrinos. If measured, aim is to address basic questions for Higgs discovery. Precision ECAL this type of oscillation might provide such as the origin of mass and the performance is essential to detect a the key to an understanding of why we observed asymmetry between matter Higgs decaying to two high energy live in a matter dominated universe. and . Much of the programme photons, a discovery channel favoured T2K will also make the world's most is directed at discovering where the by theoretical interpretations of existing precise measurement of the so-called Standard Model, that has proved data. The CMS Tracker is a giant atmospheric neutrino oscillation. amazingly successful in the description 210m2 silicon detector system to of electro- weak interactions, will break which we contributed major parts of Imperial plays a leading role in the down, since theoretical expectations the radiation hard readout electronics. experiment, especially as Prof Dave imply that it cannot be the final story. The Tracker complements the ECAL Wark is serving his second consec- This will be accomplished by testing to identify electrons and photons and utive term as International Co- predictions to high accuracy and precisely measures muons and Spokesman. We have contributed to studying phenomena outside the hadronic jets, all of which are vital many aspects of the design of the model such as supersymmetry, dark for physics discoveries. The Global near detector, which will be placed matter and neutrino oscillations. Calorimeter Trigger selects the most 280 metres from the beam's origin, CMS interesting events for offline study and including the optimisation of the detailed analysis. Collisions occur at calorimeter and electronics as well G. Hall, T. Virdee, C. Foudas, J. Nash, 25 nanosecond intervals and raw as research and development on a D. Colling, G. Davies, M. Dellanegra, event rates are far too high to allow new generation of photosensor. The P. Sharp, D. Futyan, J. Hays, A. Tapper, all but a tiny fraction to be written to group is prominent in the development G. Iles, O. Zorba, R. Bainbridge, offline storage, so meticulous selection of analysis and simulation software R. Beuselinck, J. Fulcher, B. MacEvoy, by the trigger system is crucial to used to fine-tune the detector design A. Nikitenko, M. Raymond, M. Ryan, the experiment. CMS will extract and will be used to physics once the C. Seez, M. Stoye, S. Tourneur, physics results from data as quickly experiment starts running in 2009. S. Wakefield, M. Pioppi, G. Karapostoli as possible. The experiment must be We are also leading the way in reducing well aligned, calibrated, accurately the uncertainties due to neutrino TThe CERN Large Hadron Collider synchronised to the proton beams interaction cross sections, one of the (LHC) is complete and, after a short and measurements of collisions dominant systematics for T2K. Dr first run in 2008, will collide proton analysed with great care. Imperial Wascko is co-Spokesperson of the beams at 10 TeV centre-of-mass physicists are active in all aspects of international SciBooNE collaboration energy, the highest in the world, during this, which will be the top priority in at Fermilab, which successfully 2009. It will open a new window on the coming year. completed its beam data run in August particle physics, and discoveries are 2008 and published its first paper on T2K eagerly awaited. The Compact Muon neutrino cross sections in December. Solenoid experiment (CMS) is now G. Hall, M. Noy, M. Raymond, LHCb commissioned and ready for data in Y. Uchida, A. Vacheret, D. L. Wark, its underground cavern. It will search M. O. Wascko O. Awunor, W. Cameron, P. Dornan, for evidence of the elusive Higgs U. Egede, P. Koppenburg, R. Plackett, boson, by which quarks and leptons T2K (Tokai-to-Kamioka) will be the D. R. Price, T. Savidge, D. Websdale of the Standard Model obtain their first long baseline neutrino superbeam masses. New symmetries of nature experiment. In 2009 the experiment The LHCb experiment at the LHC is such as supersymmetry, where all will commission the world’s most specifically designed to study the fermions have a partner boson which intense neutrino beam on the east decay of B-mesons with the ultimate leads to a plethora of new particles, coast of Japan, sending muon precision. The aim is to provide may be found. The CMS scientific neutrinos towards the Super- measurements of CP-violation and leader is Spokesperson Prof Tejinder Kamiokande detector, located 295 rare decays with the highest sensi- Virdee and Imperial College has major km away in western Japan. T2K will tivity as a way to look for new physics roles in detector systems of the push the bounds of neutrino oscil- beyond the Standard Model. For the experiment. The Electromagnetic lation physics: the first, and still the CP-violation studies, particle identifi-

25 cation is required to identify the D Zero at Tevatron with the LHC to find this elusive flavour of the quarks participating in particle. Already the Tevatron has the B-decay. Particles of a known D. Bauer, R. Beuselinck, G. J. Davies, placed new constraints on the allowed momentum travelling through a medium J. Hassard, J. Hays, R. Jesik, parameter space for both SM and with velocity greater than the speed of P. Jonsson, T. Scanlon SUSY Higgs bosons. light in the medium emit photons at a ZEPLIN-III fixed angle depending upon the T he Tevatron, at Fermilab near Chicago, mass of the particle. By imaging the is currently the world's highest energy T. J. Sumner, H. Araujo, J. J. Quenby, emitted photons onto a plane they particle accelerator, colliding protons A. Currie, B. Edwards, M. Horn, will form a ring where the radius and anti-protons at close to 2 TeV, V. Lebedenko (deceased), K. Lyons, identifies the mass of the particle. In putting it at the very forefront of F. Neves (Visiting Researcher), LHCb this is done with two Ring discovery. N. J. T. Smith (Visiting Prof), C. Thorne, Imaging Cherenkov Detectors, RICH1 R. Walker. and RICH2. The Cherenkov photons At a hadron collider the trigger (the are detected using arrays of hybrid real-time selection of events) is critical The ZEPLIN III experiment is a direct photon detectors (HPDs). Each HPD due to the very large QCD background. dark matter search looking for signa- has one thousand pixels, each Our highest level trigger, Level-3, tures of weakly interacting massive sensitive to single photons. The partially reconstructs each event (in particles. These are thought to make Imperial group lead the design and ~100ms), placing it at the boundary up the dark matter associated with construction of RICH1 which was between trigger and physics. Imperial our own galaxy, the Milky Way. installed in the experiment during leads the Level-3 activities. We have ZEPLIN-III uses advanced two-phase 2008. The versatile trigger system is developed the track-based triggers, xenon technology and was built at a crucial element of the LHCb including 'b- tagging' algorithms, used Imperial College. It is now located experiment. The LHC will provide B to identify jets containing b-quarks. in the deep underground laboratory hadrons at rates of 100 kHz, so even Such triggers are particularly important at Boulby in Northeast England. Its with a final trigger rate as high as 2 for Higgs searches or studying the commissioning was completed in kHz, LHCb has to be very selective matter-antimatter asymmetry in the February 2008 and it was then run in the events that are saved for universe. A group member also continuously for 83 days and collected further analysis. The group is leading coordinates the experiment's overall some 847kg.days of raw data. The the implementation of the last decision trigger strategy. The D√ò experiment first results from that run have just level and studying how to correct for is a pioneer in HEP Grid computing been announced and the instrument biases due to the trigger. With the and the group was also heavily achieved its full design sensitivity and start of the LHC getting closer an involved in this area. has joined two other direct search increased emphasis has been placed experiments as world leaders. None on preparing for data analysis. The We are playing a leading role in two of of the experiments has yet seen any effort concentrates on rare decays the main physics activities: B- physics evidence for WIMPs in their data; where the effects of physics beyond and the search for the (s). however ZEPLIN-III is undergoing the Standard Model will have its The Tevatron produces some trillion an upgrade which will improve its biggest impact. A new activity has B mesons per year allowing us to sensitivity by a factor of 10 and this been started for an analysis of CP study CP violation, most excitingly will probably be the first instrument violation that has the promise to be through observing the way b and anti- to bite into the more favoured region the most sensitive method of any at b quarks mix. We were able, for the of supersymmetry for the neutralino LHCb. In addition the group is leading first time, to limit the range of the which is the leading WIMP candidate the development of Ganga, the user oscillation frequency to 17- 21 ps-1 (Fig. 3). The upgrade involves interface for LHCb that allows physi- at 90% confidence level, in good replacing the photomultiplier array cists to perform their analysis on the agreement with the Standard Model with new lower background types and Grid in a transparent and easily (SM). As well as telling us about the incorporating an active veto. The manageable way. weak force this result also indirectly Imperial group leads a 30-strong probes extensions to the SM, such collaboration with STFC/RAL, Univ. of as Supersymmetry (SUSY). As the Edinburgh, LIP-Coimbra (Portugal) data sets grow in size, our focus is and ITEP-Moscow (Russia) and has increasingly on the search for the formal responsibility for two work- SM and SUSY Higgs bosons. The packages as well as project leadership. group is responsible for several key In preparation for the next phase we analyses as well as playing a leading led a proposal to the EU for ELIXIR, role in the management of the D√ò a design study within Framework 7 Higgs group. In the next few years for a tonne-scale xenon dark matter we will be able to detect a Higgs over facility. In this proposal we were joined Figure 1: The Ring-Imaging Cherenkov Detector, built at Imperial College, and a significant fraction of the predicted by new groups from Portugal, installed in the LHCb Experiment. parameter space, making it a race Switzerland and Spain. In addition

26 reference sensor containing the proof- neutrino oscillation experiments. The mass. Surface characterisation work Imperial group's interests are mainly is ongoing with the universities of in software simulations and calorimeter Trento and Modena. STFC funding design studies. supports Imperial in providing the BaBar LISA-PF European flight CMS. This is being done in consultation with D. Bard, P. D. Dauncey Astrium UK and Astrium Germany who are responsible for the overall The BaBar collaboration is studying satellite provision to ESA. CP violation and rare decays using Theoretical work on cosmic background B mesons. In 2001 it made the world's Figure 3: The upper limit result for the spin-independent WIMP-nucleon gravitational radiation has been first observation of this phenomenon scattering cross-section. Also shown undertaken to assess the likelihood in B decays through the measurement are the other two world leading experi- that LISA will be able to make obser- of the parameter sin2β of the CKM ments, CDMS-II and XENON10. The vations in this area. The results have matrix. This parameter is indicative green shaded area is the more theoret- shown that there are some scenarios of the "indirect" type of CP violation. ically favoured region in which in which a positive detection can be In 2004, BaBar produced the first neutralinos might be discovered. made. evidence for the other, "direct", type of we have been invited to join with a CP violation in B mesons using major US experiment, LUX, to form a STFC funding is also in place to charmless hadronic B decays. 50/50 partnership programme called develop the technology further for BaBar finished data-taking in 2008 LUX-ZEPLIN, LZ, which will be LISA in areas where improvements with a total dataset of around a deployed in the new DUSEL are possible. This includes novel UV billion B meson decays. laboratory in the Homestake mine in sources including LEDs and tripled South Dakota. Imperial provides the semi-conductor laser systems. Data The Imperial group is heavily involved European PI for LZ3 and LZ20. analysis procedures are being in measurements of very rare decays, developed to allow full data exploitation LISAPathfinder / LISA made possible by the enormous which will require a detailed knowledge dataset of BaBar. Specifically the T. J. Sumner, H. Araujo, J. J. Quenby, of charge control and specific routines group is studying decays where the G.K. Rochester, D. Hollington, for the removal of charge induced underlying quark process is b --> dγ. M. Schulte, D. Shaul, A. Tang, artefacts from the data These decays can occur through S. Waschke. "penguin" loops, which are suppressed SuperNEMO in the Standard Model. However, the The manufacture of the flight Charge J. K. Sedgbeer, Y. A. Shitov, decay rate would be enhanced by Management System (CMS) for LISA T. R. Sashalmi, R. Beuselinck new physics processes through Pathfinder, the European Space virtual particles in these loops, so this Agency’s technology precursor satellite Double Beta-Decay (DBD) is a secon- measurement could reveal physics to the gravitational-wave space mission, dorder weak process in which two beyond the Standard Model. LISA, is almost complete. This has neutrons inside a nucleus sponta- Calice followed on from Engineering Models neously transform into two protons. of the CMS developed by Imperial This lepton-number conserving process, P. D. Dauncey, A-M. Magnan, M. Noy for ESA. This system is required by 2-neutrino DBD, has been observed LISA to control the charge build-up on in several nuclei with half lives of The Calice collaboration is studying the isolated proof-masses, which form about 1020 years. If leptonnumber is both electromagnetic and hadronic the mirrors for the large baseline violated, neutrinoless DBD may occur. calorimeters with an aim of obtaining interferometry between the three In this case the neutrino is reabsorbed excellent jet energy resolution though spacecraft in the constellation. by the intermediate nucleus. This "particle flow algorithm" (PFA) Charge build-up is caused by cosmic- reabsorption requires that the neutrino techniques. ray impacts on the spacecraft and is its own antiparticle (a Majorana proof-masses. Analyses at Imperial fermion) and must have non-zero The Imperial group has led the design (funded by ESA via QinetiQ) of the mass. The Majorana hypothesis is of the readout electronics for prototype way in which the charge is deposited, currently favoured in Grand Unified calorimeters. Beam tests took place using GEANT4, showed that this Theories and supersymmetric theories. at DESY, CERN and FNAL between effect is more severe than previously SuperNEMO is a proposed exper- 2005 and 2008. These built up a thought. A detailed computer simulation iment to search for neutrinoless DBD unique dataset of electromagnetic has been developed to verify the charge as evidence for Majorana neutrino and hadronic showers measured control process and this includes the masses down to a level below 0.05eV with state-of-the-art PFA calorimetry. microphysics of the photoelectron (equivalent to a half life of about generation and follows the charge 1026 years), the region suggested by The Imperial group is also involved transport within the gravitational the discovery of neutrino mass from in the development of a binary-

27 readout electromagnetic calorimeter M. Aggarwal, D.e-Science Colling, B. MacEvoy, large (about 40% in some cases) design based on monolithic active yet are predicted to be zero in the pixel sensors (MAPS). This could J. Martyniak, G. Moont, S. Wakefield, simplest version of QCD. We study potentially give improvements in both D. Rand. mechanisms for producing these the spatial and jet energy resolution asymmetries and also the related at a lower cost. A first prototype TThe LHC experiments will produce question of the internal spin sensor has been fabricated with unprecedented volumes of data when structure of the nucleon. 28,000 pixels, each with a size of 50 the accelerator is commissioned in Technology Transfer by 50 micrometres. This will be used late 2009. Processing of the data for feasibility studies of the binary exceeds the capacity of even the J. Hassard, D. Colling, G. Davies, calorimeter technique. largest computing centres, hence the M. Richards Neutrino Factory R & D experiments will be using computing Grid infrastructures that are being The particle physics-based Label Free G. Barber, A. Cheng, P. Dornan, developed in Europe and the USA. Intrinsic Imaging (LFII) paradigm has M. Ellis, A. Kurup, K. Long, increased significantly its uptake in A. Jamdagni, S. Jolly, J. Pozimski, Our group at Imperial is one of the the world of biotechnology and P. Savage UK leaders in particle physics e- biomedicine. It has been adopted as Science research. The key aim of our the analytical platform of choice in The discovery of neutrino oscillations work is to provide a robust, scalable Department of Defense programmes implies that neutrinos are massive, infrastructure capable of supporting in the US. In the likely event of bird that the Standard Model is incomplete. the LHC experiments. As contributors flu over the next few years, (with WHO The far-reaching consequences of to the GridPP and EGEE III projects estimates suggesting 40% global neutrino oscillations justify a dedicated we have helped to produce a scalable infectivity and up to 68% mortality in experimental programme. The group infrastructure both through technical those affected), it will be necessary recently led an International Scoping effort (in particular component testing to produce genome-specific vaccines Study on the Neutrino Factory, an of the EGEE Workload Management sufficiently fast to make an impact intense high-energy neutrino source System) and through effort in organ- on epidemiological doubling-times of derived from the decay of a stored isation and support, including our a few weeks. LFII has also been muon beam, the ultimate tool for the leadership of the London Grid adopted by other major US Federal study of neutrino oscillations. The Collaboration. We are also heavily agencies both because of its speed, Neutrino Factory R&D programme at involved in the computing aspects of but also the way (without labels) we Imperial is focused on the front end of the experiments themselves and we do not introduce unnecessary bias the high- power proton source, the lead the UK contribution to the CMS into an analysis- particularly important proton driver, and the muon cooling Computing and Offline project. for the FDA. Joint work with the system. A front end test stand (FETS) Department of Biomedical Engineering is being constructed at the Rutherford In addition to computing for the LHC, shows an extremely powerful diagnosis Appleton Laboratory in the UK with we also help other communities methodology can be produced in the aim of demonstrating the production (most notably bioinformatics) to use LFII for both. Another analytical tool of a 60 mA, 2 ms, 50 pps chopped the e-Science infrastructure. derived from pattern recognition tools beam at 3 MeV with sufficient beam Outreach is an important part of our developed in HEP (Differential UV quality as required for a MW proton program and we have developed a Absorption Spectroscopy or DUVAS) driver. The muon beam that is monitor which allows users to visualise is manifest in the Air Quality Monitoring produced in the pion-decay channel activity on the Grid in (almost) real now being adopted by District Councils occupies a very large phase space, time. This monitor has become one and some major instrumentation which must be reduced, or cooled. It of the most widely used dissemination corporations. Both the LFII and is proposed to reduce the energy of tools in e-Science. DUVAS benefited from e-Science the beam by passing it through liquid Testing QCD through Spin inputs (such as the successful hydrogen and then re-accelerating the Dependent Phenomena £2.08m 'DiscoveryNet' project), beam - this is referred to as 'ionisation and the latter is central to the cooling'. To demonstrate ionisation E. Leader £4.2m 'MESSAGE' project, led by cooling, we are mounting the Muon Imperial College and including Ionisation Cooling Experiment, with Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) Cambridge, Newcastle and other commissioning with beam in 2008. is the generally accepted theory of universities. Imperial is responsible for the provision the strong interactions between of the scintillating-fibre tracking elementary particles, and our research detectors. focuses on testing QCD by comparing theoretical predictions for spin dependent measurements with data. Particularly interesting are single spin asymmetries, which are very

28 High Energy Physics Group members 29 Laser Consortium http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research/qols/research_areas/laser_consortium.htm Director Professor J. P. Marangos

The Blackett Laboratory Laser Consortium has wide ranging exper- imental and theoretical programmes focused on developing and exploiting ultra-high intensity and extremely short duration laser pulses to probe a broad range of physical processes. Figure 1: Wavelength conversion setup A gas-filled hollow fibre setup is used to few- Our research activities include the cylce pulses at two wavelengths from one laser source. generation, characterisation and However, under appropriate condi- spectra are sufficiently broad to application of attosecond pulses, tions, the broadened spectra can support sub-10 fs pulses (Fig 2b). alignment and control of quantum extend to the blue region of the processes in molecules, the inter- spectrum, offering the possibility for b) All-optical interferometric technique action of surfaces and sub-wavelength generating shorter wavelength few- for characterising XUV attosecond targets with intense laser fields and cycle pulses in the blue and green. pulses the generation of high energy density In collaboration with the group of plasmas for laboratory astrophysics Prof at Oxford University, experiments we have been developing a self- referenced interferometric technique To enable our experimental work we for characterising XUV attosecond 12 operate several terawatt (10 W) pulses produced by high harmonic laser systems able to access the generation (HHG) in gases. Such picosecond, femtosecond, and few techniques are well established for cycle regimes. Using a combination measuring ultra-short laser pulses in of experiment and theory we continue the infrared, but have yet to be to make pioneering contributions to successfully applied to XUV pulses. the fields of ultra-short pulse generation, The all-optical approach afforded by non-linear optics, plasma physics, interferometry has potentially much and molecular dynamics. We are greater sensitivity than current methods supported by the EPSRC, MOD, the Figure 2. Spectra and Fourier Transform based on photoelectron production, Basic Technology Programme of Limited Pulses. The black curves corre- along with acquisition times of RCUK, and grants from the EU and spond to the 500-600nm band, the blue milliseconds rather than hours. Royal Society. There are numerous curves to the 680-1000nm band. collaborations with leading groups in Such pulses are required for experi- Two femtosecond laser pulses were the UK, Europe and US. The Blackett ments where electron recollisions produced in an interferometer and Laboratory Laser Consortium forms will be driven by two colour laser focused to spatially separate regions part of the Quantum Optics and fields Eω1(t)+Eω2(t). They will also in a gas jet. The high harmonic Laser Science Group. find application in the study of visible fields generated from each focus chromophores in 2D spectroscopy Attosecond Science and Technology of biological samples. J. W. G. Tisch, J. P. Marangos, By broadening 700µJ/30fs pulses in R. A. Smith, L. J. Frasinski, M. Ivanov, an Ar filled hollow fibre, we generate G. H. C. New, P. L. Knight, S. Baker, spectra spanning 500-1000nm (Fig J. Robinson, L. Chipperfield, P. Bates, 1). A dichroic beamsplitter is used to Y. El-Taha, C. Arrell, F. Frank, separate the light into ‘short’ (500- L. Brugnera, E. Skopalova 600nm) and ‘long’ (680-1000nm) wavelength bands with energies of Figure 3. Results from interferometric a) Novel technique for generating few- 15µJ and 150µJ respectively. (Fig analysis of XUV pulses produced by high cycle pulses at shorter wavelengths. 2a). The pulses in these bands can harmonic generation. (a) Typical inter- ference pattern, featuring horizontal be compressed using separate Spectral broadening of high power spatial fringes, formed from two high chirped mirror compressors giving harmonic sources incident at a small femtosecond laser pulses provides a two precisely synchronised, waveform horizontal angle on a spectrometer. The proven route to the generation of controlled pulses (here at ω and amplitude (blue) and phase (red) of three few-cycle laser pulses with centre 1.5ω where ω is the frequency of the harmonics, indicated by the white wavelengths in the near IR. corresponding to 800nm). The lines, are shown in (b), (c) and (d).

30 were combined at an angle in an imaging XUV spectrometer, producing spatial fringes as shown in Fig. 3(a). Various transformations are applied to one of the laser fields, such a lateral movement or a frequency shift, with the spacing of the fringes encodes the phase of the high- harmonic field. Over the past year, work has focused on constructing the interferometer with sufficient stability to work in the 40 nm range. Recent results include the first measurement of the spatial phase, or wavefront, of high harmonics, are shown for three different harmonics in Fig. 3(b)-(d) (red curves). The phase-front curvature varies with the harmonic order, carrying implications for the focusing of the XUV radiation. The acquisition time for this data is typically only a few laser shots, offering the possibility of Figure 5. The spectrum of the emitted radiation, measured (a) and calculated (b) in a online monitoring and optimisation CO2 molecule, as a function of the harmonic number and molecular alignment. Panel (c) shows the decoded dynamics of the hole left in the molecule between ionization and of high-harmonic sources. recombination. Ultra-Fast Molecular Imaging in aligned carbon dioxide molecules movie”. Figure 5 shows the experi- J. P. Marangos, J. W. G.Tisch, (Fig. 4). The control of these inter- mental and theoretical radiation from L. J. Fransinski, M. Ivanov, S. Baker, ferences allows new ways of shaping aligned a CO2 molecules, as a R. Torres, L. Chipperfield, D. Darios, the attosecond emission, and function of the harmonic number T. Siegel, N. Kajumba, C. Haworth, contributes to the goal of ultrafast and alignment relative to the laser J. Robinson. imaging of molecular orbitals as was polarization. shown also in earlier work at Imperial Theory on waveform synthesis Attosecond pulses of extreme ultra- College. violet light are normally generated in J. P. Marangos, J. W. G.Tisch, atoms interacting with a high intensity The generation of ultra-high L. Chipperfield laser pulses. For greater versatility, harmonics by molecules interacting molecules offer a new degree of with intense laser fields offers We have investigated theoretically control. The Consortium has joined unique opportunities to make “perfect waveforms” which, during a an international team at the Saclay “movies” of the electronic dynamics strong field interaction, generate the Laser Interaction Centre near Paris in these molecules, combining maximum possible electron recol- and measured quantum interferences attosecond time resolution with sub- lision energy. These ideal Angstrom spatial resolution. waveforms have the form of a linear Information about the electron-hole ramp with a dc offset which drives dynamics in a molecule is recorded recollision energies over 3 times in the spectra, phases, and polariza- higher that for a pure sinusoidal tions of the emitted radiation. We wave. A genetic algorithm was are working on the ways to decode employed to find an optimised and these spectra and “develop the practically achievable waveform

Figure 4. Attosecond dynamics of the harmonic emission from aligned CO2 Figure 6. (a) Left: Optimised laser field (dotted) and highest energy trajectory (solid) molecules. The emission timing is for an optimised synthesized wave. (b) Right: Calculated HHG spectra (including propa- controlled with the accuracy of ± 50 as. gation), 800nm drive field (black), 1200nm drive field (green), optimised waveform (red).

31 composed of a longer wavelength of UCD, Dublin and the CLF we have such as “streaked Schlieren” imaging field, to provide the offset, in demonstrated a novel nonlinear optical (Fig. 8) to sweep a 1D slice of an addition to higher frequency compo- method, “angle resolved coherent wave image out in time. Using this technique nents. This second waveform mixing”, that separates out coherently we have been able to observe a (figure 6 (a)) is found to be capable coupled electronic transitions and “cooling instability” for the first time, of generating electron recollision energy transfers in an instantaneous a process that is believed to drive energies as high as those for the two-dimensional mapping. Angular turbulence which causes SNR’s to perfect waveform while retaining the resolution of the signal is achieved by break up into fantastically compli- high recollision amplitudes of a pure using millimeter laser beam waists at cated nebulae. Here a very hot blast sinusoidal wave. Calculations of high the sample and by signal relay to wave radiates away energy and harmonic generation demonstrate the far field; for this we use a high slows down. It then rams into pre- this enhancement, by increasing the energy, ultra-broadband hollow fiber heated material, regains energy and cutoff energy by a factor of 2.5 while laser source. The measurements speeds up again, resulting in the maintaining the harmonic yield (see figure 7 reveal quantum electronic velocity oscillations seen in figure 8. (figure 6 (b)), providing an enhanced beating with a time-ordered selection tool for attosecond science and of transition energies in a photosyn- Our laboratory experiments provide molecular probing. thetic complex. It is expected that this us with scaled models of processes powerful technique will be applicable which occur in nebulae, and are Multidimensional Spectroscopy of to a wide range of complex systems now being used to testing complex Complex Systems and processes. computer models. However many I. Mercer (UCD),J. W. G.Tisch, Laboratory Astrophysics and High astrophysics systems are dominated J. P. Marangos, N. Kajumba, Y. El-Taha Energy Laser Development by large magnetic fields. To address this we are collaborating with the Understanding the role of coherent R. A. Smith, J. Lazarus, M. Hohenberger, Plasma Physics group to build a very electronic motion is expected to J. Robinson, H. Doyle, R Carley. large laser system to enable us to resolve general questions of impor- probe magnetically driven jets launched tance in macromolecular energy Surprisingly, despite the many orders by a large Z-pinch. This will mimic transfer. In collaboration with Dr Mercer of magnitude differences in length and the “magnetic tower jet” mechanism timescales between astrophysical believed to be responsible for creating objects such as supernova remnants the jets of matter seen emerging (SNR’s) and the laboratory, we can from planetary forming nebulae and now carry out experiments that black hole accretion disks. closely mimic many of the key physical processes underlying their evolution. This is achieved using “scaling laws” based on dimensionless parameters such as the Mach and Reynolds numbers. Very high energy density plasmas must be created in the laboratory to achieve this scaling, and we accomplish this using a laser heated “atomic cluster” gas, or with a large Z-pinch in collaboration with the Plasma Physics group.

Atomic clusters are fragile aggregates of cold atoms with a remarkable ability to absorb laser light. In our experiments a few mm scale medium Figure 7. Measured ARC-TG maps of the molecule LH2 for various pulse time of clusters is irradiated with a short delays: (a) full maps overlaid with lines at laser pulse focused to an intensity 17 -2 Figure 8. Temporal evolution of a ‚=250, positioned to overlay features at >10 Wcm to create a high energy 9 radiative blast wave in Kr cluster gas longest delay; (b) maps with signal band- density (up to 10 J/g) plasma. A driven with 9J laser pulse. (a) shows raw pass filtering at 880 nm (10 nm high temperature thermal wave “streak” data and extracted blast wave bandwidth), overlaid with a vertical and a propagates into the surrounding gas radius. (b) displays the oscillating shock 450 diagonal line, and with illustration of at velocities up to Mach 100 and velocity, Us, and an averaged velocity the feature displacements (dotted evolves in a similar way to a supernova (dashed line) calculated to match the arrows) associated with ¢ and ‰. A box expanding into the interstellar shock trajectory. (c) displays deceleration shown in (a) illustrates the position of the parameter · (blue and radiation loss rate frame for figure (b). Colour representa- medium. We follow the time history  (green). tions are in detector counts per pixel. of this complex system using techniques

32 Photonics m e b r s G r o u p P h o t n i c s

33 Photonics http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research/photonics Head of Group Initially demonstrating supercon- Professor P. M.W. French tinuum generation with an average pump power of 30W, we have this Our broad research themes are fibre year rescaled this by more than an and laser optics, electromagnetic order of magnitude deploying an theory, imaging technology and industrial scale 400W Ytterbium applications and biophotonics. fibre laser, available through our Current fibre/laser projects include collaboration with the IPG Photonics compact and high power fibre and Group of companies and have solid-state laser technology, including demonstrated visible generation broadly tunable supercontinuum Figure 1. A multidimensional fluorometer down to 600 nm, under one micron developed for studying protein interac- sources, ultrafast fibre lasers, ampli- pumping, while we have achieved tions that exploits a tunable excitation fiers and nonlinear optics. source based on a fibre-laser pumped record breaking spectral power Theoretical projects include rigorous supercontinuum and is able to resolve densities in the infra red continuum electromagnetic theory (FE, FDTD, excitation and emission spectra, polar- exceeding 100mW/nm. Through the volume integral methods) applied to isation and fluorescence lifetime. simple expedient of spectral selection, imaging, optical storage and polari- this powerful continuum provides a the device was the theme of the sation studies, chiral media, Bragg versatile source that can replace Brain Mercer Feasibility Award. structures and photonic crystals. numerous conventional lasers in the Our imaging projects focus on spectral region 600nm to 2000nm. Under c.w. pumping conditions, adaptive optics applied to astronomy, modulational instability initiates the Nonlinear Optics and Laser microscopy and ophthalmic imaging supercontinuum generation process Technology and optical molecular imaging, including with c.w. pump sources in the multidimensional fluorescence imaging A. Minassian, M. Damzen anomalous dispersion regime. implemented in microscopy, endoscopy Raman amplification leads to rapid and tomography systems, applied to We are developing a range of laser single soliton evolution and self tissue diagnosis, molecular biology and nonlinear optical technologies Raman interaction leads to long and drug discovery. Most of our for industrial, medical, remote sensing wavelength extension on propagation. projects are interdisciplinary and we and basic science applications. Novel In addition, group velocity matching work closely with industry. diode-pumped micro-slab laser leads to the binding of the evolving technology has been designed and infra-red solitons to dispersive waves Optical Fibre Laser Technology operated as next-generation industrial in visible and as the solitons shift to J. Travers, S. Popov, J. R. Taylor laser technology. This technology has longer wavelength so too do the been demonstrated in our laboratories captured dispersive waves. Extensive The past year has been particularly with unique combination of perfor- numerical modelling has led to the successful in relation to recognition mance including very high average prediction of optimum fibre geometries of the group’s achievements and power levels >200W, excellent beam for visible generation and enhancement advances in high power c.w. pumped quality, ultrahigh conversion efficiencies of the above processes and we have supercontinua. This came through (60%-70%), and world-record Q- additionally just realized the first the Imperial College Research switching pulse rates (>1MHz). Ultra- experimental observations. Excellence Award and the Royal short pulse mode-locked versions Society Brian Mercer Feasibility have also been demonstrated. The Award. The underlying research micro-slab technology is now being theme for both relates to the mecha- commercialized through spin-out nisms for the spectral power density company Midaz Lasers Ltd. We have enhancement and spectral extension pioneered self-organising lasers that of the wavelengths of operation of exploit a novel dynamic holography c.w. pumped supercontinua. The process to automatically correct primary route to this is through adverse thermal effects. More recently, optimal design of the longitudinal we are applying adaptive interferom- dispersive characteristic of the Figure 2. Spectrogram and supercon- eters to a range of optical metrology photonic crystal fibres deployed and tinuum generated by a high power cw problems including remote ultrasound, this was effectively the main theme Yb fibre laser operating around 1060 non-destructive testing and remote nm launched in the region of the zero of the programme associated with sensing. A recent new initiative is a dispersion of a photonic crystal fibre. the Research Excellence Award, Note the trapping of discrete dispersive collaborative programme on nonlinear while the immediate applications wave components (lower) by solitons optical meta-materials utilising hybrid and potential commercial impact of (upper) engineered meta-materials grown on

34 nonlinear materials for new future materials and applications. Light in Moving Media P. Kinsler, M. McCall

Naturally occurring media are magneti- cally inert above a few gigahertz and Figure 4 : Ray trajectories in a medium with non-uniform relativistic velocity field it would indeed seem that one must structures and the propagation of Other projects include theory of resort to electromagnetically engineered novel vectorial spiral beams. These radiometry, coherence theory, optical materials (called metamaterials) to beams are a superset of familiar scalar encoders and microscopy, with achieve any non-vacuum value of the Bessel beams, for which the polari- particular emphasis on confocal magnetic permeability at higher sation of the illumination is a critical microscopy. frequencies, let alone the negative factor. Understanding their generation value required for achieving a negative and interaction with microscopic refractive index. However, we have structures is of interest for applica- recently challenged this logic by tions in integrated optics and micro- analyzing a linear, isotropic, homoge- manipulation and micro-fabrication. neous dielectric in motion. We have We are also investigating the inter- shown that certain geometries support action of optical radiation with spiral an effective negative refractive index, micro-structured materials, which Figure 5: Retardance image of a DVD. previously supposed to be the exclusive have potential applications in optical Programmable Light preserve of artificially produced meta- data storage. materials. The key requirement for a G. Kennedy, P. Lanigan, M. Neil moving medium is that it be moving Electromagnetic Focusing and Imaging with Applications to Optical relativistically, exceeding the speed We are working to manipulate light Data Storage and Microscopy of light in its rest frame. Calculation of in a programmable fashion for appli- ray trajectories when the translational A.Van der Ness, P. Török cations in microscopy, metrology and symmetry is broken (so that the the life sciences. We continue to Principle of Relativity is not violated) Our research partly aims to improve develop the application of ferroelectric yield prospects for observable optical storage capacity by exploiting liquid crystal spatial light modulators phenomena in astrophysical contexts. the maximum information content per to impart a binary phase modulation unit area that is possible to store on an onto a light beam and are using this optical disk. One approach we describe technology to define both arbitrary as Multiplexed Optical Data Storage wave-front shapes for metrology of or MODS is to encode more than a large mirrors, and to control the point Figure 3: Self-organising laser design. single bit of information into a single spread function in microscope systems a) Incredibly high beam quality even at pit. Another direction is to explore the for polarisation and super-resolution high laser powers; b) Vortex mode nonlinearities of materials and increase imaging and for optical trapping. As exhibiting angular momentum generated further the numerical aperture of the part of the Single Cell Proteomics directly from a specially designed high lens. This direction is exploited via the project at Imperial, we using optically power laser (17W); and c) Spiral SURPASS EU project that started in trapped and biochemically function- (corkscrew) mode produced by inter- ference of the vortex mode with a June 2008. alised oil droplets - Smart Droplet spherical wave. Microtools - to manipulate and probe Our work on optical data storage has biological cells. Computational Electromagnetics naturally branched into research on E. Grace ultra high-resolution micropolarimetry. Another continuing area of research It is possible to determine the polari- is based around bio-imaging applica- The propagation of light and its sation properties of the samples with interaction with complex structures extreme accuracy. An example is is of increasing scientific interest given in Fig.1, which shows a retar- with many new emerging applications. dance image of a DVD. As a result, computational methods in optics and photonics are becoming We are also involved with the EU ever more important, particularly for project “NanoPrim”, which focuses Figure 6: False colour fluorescence real-world photonics applications. on detection of nanoparticles. For intensity images of optically trapped smart droplet microtools after docking Our research is concerned with the this we study, both numerically and and removal of (a) membrane tether formulation of computational techniques experimentally, the change of the and (b) EGFP protein solubilisation and their application to topical problems electromagnetic field for single and from EGFP labelled human colon including scattering from complex multiple nanoparticle scattering. cancer cell. Scale bars = 4µm.

35 tions of microstructured LED arrays, embryo development (figure 7). For developed in collaboration with clinical studies we have deployed Strathclyde University. We have dedicated FLIM instrumentation at recently shown better than confocal Hammersmith Hospital, including a performance of line array devices in novel multiphoton microscope for microscopy applications and with clinical imaging, to explore label-free colleagues from the IBE at Imperial autofluorescence contrast in tissue, we are now using 2-d array devices Figure 8: In vivo FLIM of human skin of which an example recorded in for patterned photo-stimulation of with sub-cellular resolution. vivo is shown in Figure 8. In 2008 neuron cultures. as well as the Faculty of Medicine, and our work, in collaboration with Endoscopy interact strongly with the Chemical colleagues in Life Sciences and Biology Centre. This interdisciplinary Medicine, was recognised by the G. Kennedy V. Nadeau, I. Munro, programme focuses on multi-dimen- Imperial College London Rector’s C. Dunsby, M. Neil, P. French sional fluorescence imaging (MDFI), Research Excellence Award. with particular emphasis on fluores- Adaptive Optics and Retinal Imaging We are working to translate our cence lifetime imaging (FLIM), for expertise in optical microscopy to clinical diagnosis, molecular biology D. Lara, C. Paterson clinical applications. This includes and drug discovery. developing FLIM endoscopes utilising Our FLIM technology provides We are developing adaptive optics both wide-field time-gated imaging molecular contrast of different technology and applying it to situations and laser scanning microconfocal chemical species and different such as biomedical imaging, ocular endoscopes. We are also devel- fluorophore environments utilizing imaging and in the eye. Correcting oping novel illumination strategies both one and two photon excitation. aberrations using adaptive optics for clinical endoscopy and surgical A key strength is high-speed FLIM makes it possible to image individual procedures exploiting high power that is being applied to clinical photoreceptors at the fovea and to LED and laser-pumped phosphor endoscopy and multiwell plate reader obtain detailed images of the cardio- approaches. We believe there is systems for High Content Analysis, vascular system at the front of the significant scope for translating our as well as to microscopy of cell retina. We are applying information imaging capabilities to clinical appli- biology, disease states in tissue and theoretical approaches to improve cation for improved diagnosis, inter- reactions in microfluidic devices. the efficiency of wavefront sensing. vention and drug discovery. Increasingly, we combine optical We have also been applying estimation techniques from adaptive optics to Multidimensional Fluorescence sectioning and FLIM with multi- the analysis of retinal images which in Imaging for Biology and Medicine spectral or hyperspectral imaging to realize 5-D fluorescence imaging or collaboration with ophthalmologists E. Auksorius, G. Kennedy, S. Kumar, with polarization resolution to image at City are helping in the early A. Margineanu, E. McGhee, rotational diffusion dynamics. This diagnosis of retinal diseases. J. McGinty, I. Munro, C. Talbot, may be used to obtain 3-D images of We are now extending our high C. Dunsby, M. Neil, P. French ligand binding or viscosity distributions resolution retinal imaging to include – as recently applied to micro-fluidic full polarisation properties of the retina, Our overarching mission is to create devices. We have recently developed using Mueller matrix imaging. This will new opportunities for scientific a super-resolution FLIM microscope enable us to image structures not discoveries, particularly in biomed- system based on STimulated Emission possible with conventional techniques icine, by developing and applying Depletion (STED) microscopy, which with the hope that this will lead to ultrafast and tunable photonics allows sub-diffraction limited fluores- new understanding of the causes of technology to novel imaging and cence images to be obtained in a loss of vision where current treat- metrology applications. We work in scanning confocal microscope. For ments are ineffective. collaboration with colleagues from cell biology we apply FLIM-FRET and Bioengineering, Biology and Chemistry, MDFI techniques to image protein interactions and recently demon- strated multiplexed FRET – simulta- neously reading out two different protein interactions – and have integrated optical tweezers with MDFI microscope system to better image molecular interactions in live cells. For developmental biology we have developed the first FLIM-optical projection tomography system, which Figure 7: FLIM-OPT image of mouse we have demonstrated for imaging Figure 9: CSLO image of the photore- embryo ceptor mosaic of the human retina.

36 Plasma Physics m e b r s G r o u p P h y s i c P l a s m

37 Plasma Physics http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research/plasma Head of Group: Laboratory Experiments to Simulate Professor S. J. Rose Astrophysical Jets

The group is involved in all of the S. V. Lebedev, A. Ciardi, F. Suzuki- major research areas of laboratory Vidal, A. Marocchino, S.N. Bland, plasma physics. These areas include G. Hall, A. Harvey-Thompson, Magnetic Confinement Fusion, laser G. Swadling, J. P. Chittenden plasma interactions, high energy density plasmas (including Inertial We have continued scaled laboratory Confinement Fusion), dusty plasmas, experiments to model the physics Figure 3. Density map from a 3D and plasma astrophysics. relevant to formation and propagation simulation of a nested, stainless steel, of protostellar jets. The main focus wire array experiment. Wire Array Z-pinch Experiments was on studies of plasma jets driven source of soft X-rays which can be S. V. Lebedev, J. P. Chittenden, by the pressure of the toroidal magnetic used as a heat source for inertial S. N. Bland, G. Hall, A. Harvey- field in a “magnetic tower” jet config- confinement fusion research. Magneto- Thompson, J. Palmer, F. Suzuki- uration. We have demonstrated that hydrodynamic simulations provide a Vidal, G. Swadling, M. G. Haines the episodic operation of the magnetic powerful tool for improving our tower jet scenario results in a well understanding of these imploding Z- Wire array Z-pinch implosions are collimated jet with a number of knots pinch plasmas and for optimising the used to generate intense pulses of in the body of the jet. It was found X-ray pulse that they produce. By soft X-rays for Inertial Confinement that the degree of collimation of the using Imperial College’s CX1 cluster Fusion research. The quality of the outflow strongly depends on the level and our 3D MHD code “Gorgon”, we X-ray pulse depends on the level of of radiative cooling of the jet material. have performed the first large scale instabilities developing during the These experiments were modelled parallel simulations with sufficient implosion, which are seeded by the with a 3-D resistive MHD code. resolution to capture the important perturbations in plasmas of individual physical phenomena over the entire wires. On the MAGPIE facility we plasma volume. Fig. 3 shows the have continued work on modification structure that results from applying a of the initial perturbations by using current of 20MA to a cylinder of 156 coiled wires in an array. This has fine metallic wires. Implosion of the allowed us to control the phase of plasma cylinder by the magnetic perturbations between all the wires force results in the growth of a in an array, and has resulted in a Figure 2. Laser probing image of jet Rayleigh-Taylor instability. At this well-organized implosion. Laser propagating in ambient plasma. time the unstable plasma is about to probing diagnostics, such as in Fig.1 We are also investigating the gener- collide with a second, internal array showed that the level of plasma ation of “hydrodynamic” radiatively of wires. This collision decreases compression significantly exceeded cooled jets and their interaction with the Raylieigh-Taylor perturbation that attainable in standard wire array ambient gas. Fig.2 shows laser probing and results in improved symmetry implosions and demonstrated an of an Al plasma jet propagating through and therefore higher X-ray power, increase in X-ray power. argon gas. The jet was formed by when the plasma reaches the cylin- plasma ablated from the thin Al foil drical axis. These simulations of driven by 1MA current pulse. The experiments on the Z generator at formation of the plasma on the foil is Sandia National Laboratory, typically also responsible for the creating of require up to 700 million computa- radiative conical shock in argon, tional elements and run for 3 weeks moving at ~60km/s. The working on 400 processors. surface formed at the tip of the jet is Laser Produced Plasmas as a responsible for formation of the bow Compact Particle Accelerator shock moving with speed of ~110km/s ahead of the jet. Z. Najmudin, A. E. Dangor, S. Mangles, Simulations of Wire Array Z-pinches S. Nagel, C. Bellei, S. Kneip, C. Palmer, A. Rehman, N. Dover, J. Schreiber J. P. Chittenden, N. P. Niasse, B. Appelbe, A. Marocchino, High intensity laser produced plasmas Figure 1: Laser probing image showing S. W Vickers are capable of accelerating particles little trailing mass present during to high energies over very short implosion of a coiled array Wire array Z-pinches are an intense distances. Our group was the first

38 hot electrons that provide the spark HiPER laser-target modelling to ignite a compressed fuel capsule. This includes measurements of fast R. G. Evans, R. J. Kingham, electron transport produced in these C. P. Ridgers, R. Lloyd, S. J. Rose, interactions by observations of the M. Sherlock plasma expansion from the rear surface of such a target, as well as HiPER (High Power laser Energy the optical transition radiation which is Research facility) is a large laser produced when they exit into vacuum. project, driven by the European Figure 4. Electron acceleration in a academic community, to explore plasma accelerator up to 800 MeV Computational & Theoretical Laser Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) and Plasma Interactions to demonstrate that mono-energetic associated high energy density physics. electron beams could be produced R. J. Kingham, A. G. R. Thomas, It will use a combination of conven- by this method (Nature 2004). With C. P. Ridgers, J. J. Bissell, B. Williams tional nanosecond-duration lasers to the recent commissioning of the Astra compress a fusion fuel capsule Gemini laser, which produces a world We are developing new computational followed by ultra-high power pico- leading 10 J in an ultrashort 50 fs techniques to investigate transport in second laser pulses to heat the plasma pulse, we have been able to extend plasmas heated by intense laser to ignition. This scheme promises this to measured energies in excess pulses. Under such extreme condi- to achieve fusion conditions with of 800 MeV in a distance of around tions, the plasma is far from thermo- ~300kJ of laser energy compared to 1 cm. The high intensity laser is able dynamic equilibrium, and so fluid/MHD the ~2MJ required by the current to interact for such long distances, models break down. Many aspects generation of laser systems such as (about 10 x the length before which of the fundamental processes under NIF (USA). it would normally defract in vacuum) these conditions are still poorly We are involved in developing the due to the self-generation of a understood, despite being prevalent computational capability to simulate relativistic optical fibre. in laser-plasma experiments and appli- the heating of the compressed fuel Experiments relevant to ICF cations, such as inertial confinement capsule by the high power laser. fusion. We have developed a new This is part of the design phase of Z. Najmudin, A. E. Dangor, kinetic code, IMPACTA, which solves HiPER and will inform the final P. A. Norreys, S. Mangles, S. Nagel, the Vlasov-Fokker-Planck (VFP) specification of the laser & target C. Bellei, S. Kneip, C. Palmer, equation for electrons. It is the first prior to construction. The heating A. Rehman, N. Dover, J. Schreiber VFP code to use implicit methods phase involves generation of an and include anisotropic pressure effects. intense beam of ‘fast’ electrons (with We have performed a number of several MeV energy) followed by their studies of relevance to laser driven Using this, we have investigated propagation into the ~100x solid inertial confinement fusion. This plasma heating by a linearly polarized density compressed core. The physics includes the studies of the self- laser beam. The enhanced electron of this is very rich; the beam density generated magnetic fields of laser pressure in the polarization direction is comparable to plasma density in beams and their effect on energy generates strong B-fields which lead places and the high currents generate distribution within an ICF interaction. to non-symmetric electron flows. The strong electric and magnetic fields We also performed experiments code is computationally intensive, so which can affect the beam diver- relevant to the fast-ignition concept we are using the ‘ab initio’ transport gence, propagation and may even of ICF, such as that proposed for results to formulate reduced models induce filamentation. use in the HiPER project, where a for inclusion in hydro codes. Modelling burning plasmas produced high-intensity laser pulse generates in inertial confinement fusion

S. J. Rose, E. Hill, J. Gaffney

Whether the conventional or fast ignition approach is used, one of the Figure 6: IMPACTA kinetic calculation greatest challenges in science will of heating by a 1015 W/cm2 circular be the production of ignited fusion cross-section (10µm) laser beam. plasmas, where small quantities of Anisotropic pressure from the (horizontal) D-T fuel undergo thermonuclear linear polarized light causes non-circular burn. The resulting amplification of a) heat flow and b) density profile. energy density will produce plasmas Figure 5. Fast electron transport in under even more extreme conditions dense target characterised by coherent than have hitherto existed in the transition radiation (CTR), as well as laboratory. synchrotron radiation from target edge.

39 We are starting to model such burning Localised Modes (ELMs; peeling- plasmas including the effect of doping ballooning MHD instabilities driven the DT with a higher-Z material, which on the outboard side of the tokamak), can potentially act as a diagnostic of are being studied in order to both these extreme plasma conditions constrain existing models and to through measurement of the spectral predict heat loads on future devices. line emission from the highly-ionised Magnetic Confinement Fusion dopant. However the coupling of the atomic physics of the dopant ions M. K. Lilley, T. Hender Figure 7: Forces acting on a 1µm C with line radiation transport through dust grain in MAST the fast-evolving burning DT plasma Theoretical efforts have continued requires the development of new MAST Tokamak. For most of its into understanding the effect of fast models. We are developing new lifetime the ion drag force particles on internal plasma processes, theoretical techniques that can be dominates. knowledge of which will be vital in applied under these conditions. Magnetic Confinement Fusion future fusion machines with a large These models present challenges Experiments and Theory population of fusion born alpha similar to those encountered in particles. Neutral Beam Injection modelling extreme astrophysical W. Fundamenski, I. Abel, M. Coppins, (NBI) and Ion Cyclotron Resonance objects, although there are new S. Cowley, O. Ford, T. Hender, Heating (ICRH) also create popula- complications in modelling our home- E. Highcock, M-D Hua, M. Lilley, tions of fast particles that can excite made sun. A. Meakins, D. Moulton, Alfvén waves. Low frequency NBI A. Schekochihin, S. Tallents, Dusty Plasmas driven waves are observed on MAST D. Temple, M. Windridge as strongly non-linear bursting events, M. Coppins, M. Bacharis, whereas ICHR driven waves on JET T. Zimmermann, C. Willis, J. E. Allen, Both theoretical and experimental (the Joint European Torus) are seen W. Fundamenski studies have been conducted on the to display steady state saturation, MAST tokamak, which is operated amplitude modulation and chaotic Dusty plasmas are plasmas containing by UKAEA Culham. MAST, the non-linear regimes. The disparity small sold particles. Over the last Mega Ampere Spherical Tokamak, is between the two is now understood to decade or so, such plasmas have characterised by having a low aspect be a result of the type of collisional attracted much interest, partly because ratio so that the plasma configuration process that dominates at the wave- of the fascinating physical phenomena resembles a cored apple. On MAST particle resonance. NBI on MAST has they support, and partly because of studies aimed at understanding edge now been shown to be dominated their ubiquity. Dusty plasmas occur in flows using Langmuir-type probes by dynamical friction of the fast ions space as well as in plasma experiments. have continued as have studies on on the thermal electrons, whereas One area which we study is dust in measuring internal flows associated ICRH is dominated by velocity space Tokamaks. This is a topic whose with transport barriers. wave diffusion on JET. Dynamical importance has only recently been Computations on the stability of the friction (α) has recently been shown recognised. Plasma-surface interac- MAST plasma to vertical instabilities, to provide a destabilising effect on tions will play a significant role in both and the attendant ‘halo’ currents that the system in contrast to velocity ITER and possible future commercial flow into vessel structures are reaching space diffusion (ν) (Fig 8), indicating reactors. An important facet of this completion and studies on instabilities that bursting events are likely when question is the production and driven by fast ions are continuing, as dynamical friction dominates, as is behaviour of dust. We are currently are studies on long duration instabil- indeed observed on MAST and is continuing the development of our ities that can limit performance. possible in future machines. dust transport code, DTOKS. Latest work on DTOKS includes: (1) new Theoretical and experimental studies dust materials, including Beryllium, have also continued on the JET (2) more detailed ITER simulations, tokamak – the world’s largest magnetic (3) further benchmarking of the code confinement facility. Studies using against other codes and experiments. Bayesian methods to improve the In addition to this, our ongoing research consistency of data from various sources programme on the fundamental physics are being undertaken and as on of dusty plasmas allows us to refine MAST there are studies of fast ion the basic physics model underlying driven instabilities. Also a project on the code. The forces experienced by numerical modelling of highly radiative the dust grain are particularly important. JET plasmas, using a code which The figure shows the comparative couples multi-fluid plasma and Monte- Carlo neutral treatments is well under- Figure 8: Calculations of Dynamical sizes of the various forces acting on Friction vs Velocity Space Diffusion for way. To this effect, the statistics of Edge a 1 micron Carbon dust grain in the MAST

40 Quantum Optics and Laser Science m e b r s S c i e n G r o u p L a s e r a n d O p i c s Q u a n t m

41 Quantum Optics and Laser Science http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research/qols Head of Group: associated many-body systems, Our toy model is a rotationally hot Professor R. Thompson including 'phase transitions'! We have diatomic molecule, where we focus developed novel approaches to the on the decoherence of the vibra- The research mission of the QOLS simulation of quantum systems on tional motion due to ro-vibrational group is to carry out basic science classical computers and are exploring coupling to the hot rotational bath. using lasers and to investigate, utilize their applications in a variety of This simple and experimentally and control photonic and material settings. We have also studied the easily accessible system maps in states and processes down to the use of quantum systems as quantum standard models of decoherence. quantum level. Our theoretical and simulators. We continue to explore Possible strategies to suppress experimental teams are carrying out quantum simulators based on coupled decoherence could include optimal groundbreaking research in quantum arrays of micro-cavities. In the realm preparation of the vibrational information, laser dynamics, non- of trapped ions we also demonstrated wavepacket and/or periodic correc- linear optics of ultra-short laser that Penning traps may allow for the tions of the vibrational motion with pulses, cold condensed matter, observation of a quantum phase tailored laser pulses. One of the fundamental symmetries, ion trapping, transition associated with the change strategies that we have proved to be the physics of atoms confined within of the equilibrium position of the successful is to trap the wavepacket clusters and nanostructures, and ions. For ultra-cold atoms we also on a stable island inside the atomic and molecular coherence proposed an experiment for detecting nonlinear resonance, where it applied to non-linear optical processes. the Unruh effect in a Bose-Einstein becomes effectively decoupled from Our work is well supported by UK condensate and are now exploring the bath. and European research funding and the realisation of these ideas. We in recent years we have been able have also explored scenarios under We have also started a new research to expand our research programme which the thermal states of many- direction into the exploration of by making new strategic academic body systems do (or do not) have quantum effects in biological systems appointments. the ability to be useful for quantum originating from our longstanding Quantum Information and computing. interest in noise assisted quantum Controlled Quantum Dynamics processes and recent experimental We have continued our investiga- results. Studying transport of excitons P. L. Knight, M. Ivanov, M. B. Plenio, tions into the role of fluctuating in photosynthetic complexes we T. Rudolph, S. Scheel, S. Barrett, electromagnetic field effects such as discovered that the presence of an F.G.S.L. Brandão, D. Burgarth, modified decay rates and dispersion appropriate amount of dephasing A. Retzker forces, in particular Casimir-Polder noise is essential to explain the forces, in trapping ultracold atoms observed transport properties. The During the last year, we have estab- and cold polar molecules. We have underlying principles that we have lished several new results concerning studied surface-induced heating found to lead to this effect may the interface of quantum information processes of polar molecules, screening suggest ways to optimize nano- theory and the study of condensed properties of d-wave superconductors, structures for example in organic matter systems, novel approaches and scaling laws for higher multipole solar cells to improve their efficiencies. to quantum computing and quantum decay rates. Until recently, Casimir- simulation, results on the characteri- Polder forces have been viewed as We have continued our work on zation, manipulation and quantification a nuisance effect that limits one’s abstract entanglement theory where of entanglement, and the relationship capability of trapping cold neutral of entanglement to thermodynamics particles very close to surfaces. Our as well as the exploration of quantum increased understanding of these effects in biology. unavoidable quantum effects has led us to consider them as additional The study of the properties of quantum engineering tools. For example, we many-body systems and their have found that in thermal non- simulation both on classical and equilibrium situations there exist quantum simulators continues to transient Casimir-Polder forces with represent a key interest of the group. alternating sign which could be We have been able to connect the exploited for additional guiding and study of channel capacities under focussing of cold polar molecules. correlated error to the study of critical Figure 1: The resonant and non- resonant contributions to the transient behaviour in many-body physics. We are studying ways to suppress The channels we study can therefore Casimir-Polder force on an ultracold decoherence in simple quantum polar molecule (LiH) near a single gold display analogous behaviour to systems by tailored laser pulses. surface held at room temperature.

42 we have succeeded to demonstrate abstract techniques from optimization so that they can be cooled to ultralow a rigorous connection between the theory with concrete experiments. temperatures. Such an ultracold gas theory of entanglement and that of We have also collaborated with of dipolar molecules is a perfect the second law of thermodynamics. colleagues in Bristol to implement starting point for investigating the In the process we have discovered a experimental quantum process physics of strongly correlated quantum novel mathematical theorem concerning discrimination. matter. We have also shown how to quantum hypothesis testing. Centre for Cold Matter guide and decelerate far heavier molecules using an alternating We have established a statistical E. Hinds, B. Sauer, J. Hudson, gradient focussing technique. method for quantum state and process M. Tarbutt Finally, we have developed a new reconstruction that is capable of kind of source for cold molecules extracting measurement covariances The Centre for Cold Matter is based on a cryogenic buffer gas cell. (error bars) from a tomographic devoted to the study of fundamental measurement. This method, based problems using the techniques of Our work with ultracold atoms on Kalman filtering, promises to be atomic and laser physics. Our work focusses on "atom chips" where a versatile diagnostic tool in quantum is focussed on the formation, manip- atomic physics experiments are engineering as it provides real-time ulation and exploitation of cold shrunk down onto microchips. These information about statistical molecules and ultracold atoms. atom chips have applications for measurement uncertainties and the precision sensors and quantum validity of assumptions on the under- Our work with cold molecules grew information processing, as well as lying measurement noise model. With out of the exceptional sensitivity of for investigating the fundamental the help of a reconstructed process some molecules to time-reversal interactions of atoms with photons, map, we found that it becomes possible violating interactions, particularly the with surfaces and with one another. to distinguish between classical and value of the electron's electric dipole In one project we coherently split purely quantum-mechanical noise moment (edm). Over many years we and recombine a single Bose- sources in an experiment. have built a sophisticated experiment Einstein condensate so as to perform that uses cold molecules to measure interferometric measurements. We have made considerable progress the edm. The results will test time- During the last year, we have in our theoretical work addressing reversal symmetry and probe physics obtained the required degree of the problem of building a quantum beyond the Standard Model. By control over the condensates and computer. We described a scheme automating all aspects of the exper- are now able to routinely measure for full scale quantum computing iment we are now able to take very the beautiful interference fringes with atomic ensembles. Our scheme large amounts of edm data as well as resulting from this macroscopic uses similar methods to those that measuring and eliminating a multitude quantum state. In a second exper- have already been demonstrated of possible systematic effects. The iment, we use a microfabricated experimentally and thus represents experiment is currently taking new magnetic trap to prepare and manip- a significant step towards a techni- data with world-leading sensitivity. ulate long, thin cold atomic samples. cally feasible implementation. We We are presently working towards have also examined the effect of We are also developing techniques the study of low-dimensional gases non-markovian decoherence on to guide and decelerate cold molecules trapped near the surface of this solid state single photon sources, to low velocity so that they can be atom chip, as well as on atom and discovered strategies for trapped for long periods of time. transport. A third experiment is the overcoming it. Recently, we decelerated LiH molecules use of micro-fabricated cavities to from 430m/s to 50m/s in preparation study the fundamental interactions Our collaboration with experimental for electrostatic trapping. We have of atoms and photons and build quantum information science groups built a magneto-optical trap of single atom detectors. We have have continued. Here we have utracold lithium which we plan to use produced planoconcave micro-cavities developed theoretical methods to as a refrigerant for the LiH molecules with high finesse consisting of a derive benchmarks that determine whether a memory performs a truly quantum mechanical task, i.e. is able to store quantum mechanical correlations. These methods are now being employed to assess the quality of a memory based on atomic ensembles that are currently being Figure 2 : A dataset from the electron EDM experiment. Each vertical line represents tested. We have collaborated with a five minute measurement of the electron EDM in a particular machine state, with its colleagues in Oxford to realise the Û uncertainty. The vertical axis has units of e.cm. This particular dataset contains concept of quantum calibration of about 4000 individual measurements. The analysis includes a blind offset, thus the photo-detectors bringing together central value in this plot is not meaningful.

43 spherical reflector etched into a Si wafer and a single mode fibre with a high reflectivity coating on its tip. Using this device we are now able to detect single atoms with extremely high sensitivity. Finally, we have recently developed a novel method for creating an array of laser cooled atomic samples directly on an atom chip. We have etched a series of square based pyramids into a silicon substrate, creating an array of magneto- optical traps and have recently observed the first ultracold atoms produced in these microscopic pyramid traps.

Figure 4: Multiple Penning trap made from vacuum compatible circuit board perform the final experiments at GSI one trapping zone to another. We in Darmstadt, Germany. The fields have demonstrated this technique experienced by an electron in such using small clouds of ions and will a system are enormous and the aim now try to improve our technique to of the project is to test Quantum allow the shuttling of single ions. Electrodynamics in this important Multiple trap arrays like this are high-field regime. In the last year we generally seen as a possible route Figure 3: Magnetic noise in the electron have built a trap which is identical to to scaling ion-trap QIP up to larger EDM experiment. Vertical axis is the laboratory magnetic field measured over the one to be used in GSI and have numbers of quantum bits. a five minute interval. Horizontal axis is used it to store Ca+ ions. This has We have also investigated a time of day, where zero is midnight. It is allowed us to develop and test the phenomenon which is linked to the obvious that that the laboratory is much fluorescence detection system mixing of quantum states caused by quieter late at night. Considerable effort required eventually at GSI. the magnetic field used to trap the has been made to automate the EDM ions. The degree of mixing is very experiment so that data can be Our other project is conducted in our small but is rendered remarkably recorded during this quiet period. own laboratories at Imperial. In this visible by the technique of ‘electron Ion Trapping project we are trying to demonstrate shelving’. The tiny degree of mixing the feasibility of performing quantum leads to abrupt changes in the R. Thompson, D. Segal information processing (QIP) using fluorescence level for a single ion in Ca+ ions in Penning traps. Our work the trap as seen in figure 5. We are currently involved in two this year has concentrated on two major projects, both of which employ aspects. Firstly we have designed the Penning trap. This is a device and built a novel Penning trap which holds charged particles, atomic based on planar sets of ‘pad’ ions in our case, at a well defined electrodes. Figure 4 shows the position away from the walls of an completed structure which consists evacuated chamber in an almost of two pieces of vacuum compatible perturbation free environment. The circuit board facing each other. The first project is aimed at performing inner surface of each board has an high resolution spectroscopy of array of hexagonal pads milled into highly charged ions – atoms that the surface. The gap between the Figure 5 : Quantum jumps of a single have had all but one (or a few) of boards is 5mm. This arrangement Ca+ ion in a Penning trap. The jumps their electrons removed. These ions actually makes three trapping zones into the ‘dark’ state are only allowed cannot be made at Imperial College, (in line with the three 1mm holes through magnetic-field mixing of the but require the use of a particle along the central line of pads). This bare atomic states. accelerator. We therefore do arrangement of electrodes allows for preparatory work here and will the controlled shuttling of ions from

44 Space and Atmospheric Physics m e b r s G r o u p P h y s i c A t m o s p h e r i c a n d S p a c e

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

Head of Group that, under dynamic conditions, a Professor S. J. Schwartz downward flux of coronal energy and mass powers this radiation rather The space and atmospheric physics than the conventional thermally group carries out a broad research conducted heat flux. Observational programme that includes the extended studies from the Japanese Hinode solar atmosphere and solar wind, the spacecraft are beginning to confirm magnetospheres and atmospheres this new result. of the planets, and the neutral atmos- phere and oceans of the Earth. The group is an active participant in the Figure 2: Turbulence in the solar wind. multi-disciplinary Grantham Institute The shape of the turbulence eddies can for Climate Change. A major part of be seen as lines of constant colour: they the group’s activity is the development are stretched along the local magnetic field lines. and operation of sensitive space (and other) instrumentation. This is magnetic cycle. complemented by a programme in theory, modelling and data analysis. The solar wind is filled with turbulence, which heats the plasma and scatters Space Plasma Physics cosmic rays. We have measured the T. S. Horbury, S. J. Schwartz, properties of the turbulence on scales R. J. Forsyth, E. Lucek, C. M. Carr, smaller than a proton gyroradius, P. J. Cargill, A. Balogh showing that even here there is still a complex cascade of energy with We study fundamental plasma eddies that are highly stretched along Figure 3. STEREO image of a coronal processes using a combination of the magnetic field. mass ejection leaving the Sun, with a spacecraft data, theory and modelling. modelled structure overlaid in red. We lead the magnetic field instruments A new area of research has opened Planetary Physics on missions which make important up with the launch of the twin STEREO contributions to space plasma physics. spacecraft capable of imaging the M. K. Dougherty, M. Galand, The four Cluster spacecraft fly in solar wind from the Sun to the Earth. I. Mueller-Wodarg, C. M. Carr formation around the Earth and As coronal mass ejections travel celebrated their 10th anniversary in through the highly structured solar Planetary research is focused on the 2010. The Ulysses spacecraft was wind, they become highly distorted. highly successful Cassini mission to turned off in 2009 after over 18 years We find good agreement between Saturn and Titan, its largest moon and of highly successful exploration over our models and STEREO images. the only one with a dense “Earth-like” the Sun’s poles, covering more than atmosphere. The group leads the two solar cycles of activity. Our involvement in space plasma magnetometer and is also a member physics will continue with our leading of the ion neutral mass spectrometer The Sun has recently passed through role in the next generation European team. a very deep minimum of activity, with mission Solar Orbiter, which will fly almost no sunspots for several years. close to the Sun. Cassini magnetic field observations This weakening seems to be related have been used to identify the first to a lack of discrete eruptions of matter Most of the extreme ultra-violet light examples of hot flow anomalies from the Sun's atmosphere known as from the Sun originates in the thin upstream of Saturn’s bow shock. coronal mass ejections, highlighting transition region below the hot corona. These cavities of heated, deflected their important role in the solar We have used simulations to show solar wind plasma have similar properties to those observed at the Earth. At Saturn’s magnetopause, which separates magnetopsheric plasma from solar wind plasma, surface waves have been observed which are driven by the Kelvin- Helmholtz (sheared flow) instability. This perturbation of the boundary is Figure 1: Interplanetary magnetic field strength near the Earth, which is currently expected to lead to transport of solar lower than at any time since measurements began. wind energy into the magnetosphere.

46 pheric densities at Venus, the first ever measurements of this kind.

In September 2008 the ESA Rosetta spacecraft flew past the asteroid Steins. The instruments of the Rosetta Plasma Consortium, parts of which were built Figure 6: Downwelling radiance in the group, were operated during observed by TAFTS beneath thin cirrus the flyby. This will be followed in (black upper curve) and simulated by 2010 by a flyby of the asteroid Lutetia LBLRTM for clear-sky (blue curve). Residuals (lower curve) show the cloud and in 2014 the rendezvous with the Figure 4: The density profiles of effect comet 67P Chuyumov-Gerasimenko. different ions organized by mass-to- effort at interpreting measurements charge ratio (dotted) and total ion Earth Observation made by the Tropospheric Airborne density (solid) for Titan's nightside Fourier Transform Spectrometer ionosphere. J. E. Harries, H. E. Brindley, J. E. Russell, J. Pickering (TAFTS). A particular focus is to Another focus has been Saturn’s improve our knowledge of the radiative magnetotail, where energy is released effect of cirrus clouds in the far infrared through magnetic reconnection. We provide the scientific lead for the Geostationary Earth Radiation Budget region of the electromagnetic spectrum Magnetic field lines break and merge (Figure 6). We have also been to form new field lines, heating the (GERB) project, the first to observe the broadband energy emitted and employing EO data to study water plasma and accelerating energetic vapour feedback, quantify the radiative particles away from the planet. We reflected by the Earth at high temporal resolution. GERB data are used to effect of dust aerosol and investigate have built up a global picture of the decadal variability of the Earth’s reconnection and have shown that provide new insights into the radiative effects of cloud and aerosol, test the energy balance, a vital step towards events occur at a preferential point assessing possible climate change in Saturn’s rotation cycle. fidelity of climate models and quantify the short time-scale variability of the signals above those due to natural fluctuations. After 3 years and 31 close flybys, climate system. Ultimately, a high the Cassini spacecraft observed precision, stable, long term dataset Climate Modelling will be produced for climate trend Titan outside of the magnetosphere A. Czaja, J. D. Haigh, R. Toumi and in the shocked solar wind. The studies. To this end we are currently flow-induced magnetosphere around inter-calibrating the first two GERB instruments using co-incident Earth Ocean-Atmosphere interactions. Titan is in fact populated by “fossil” We study the impact of the ocean fields originating from Saturn itself observations and vicarious calibration targets such as the moon (Figure 5). circulation on climate by simulating that diffuse slowly. a waterworld using our own coupled The past year has also seen a major ocean-atmosphere climate model Titan’s ionosphere plays a key role in (FORTE). Climate variability is coupling Titan’s neutral atmosphere dominated by large tropical warm / cold with Saturn’s magnetic environment events associated with anomalous export and initiates the complex chemical of heat by wind-driven ocean currents. reaction chains that affect the entire atmosphere. We have for the first In the real world, the Gulf Stream and time been able to unambiguously the Kuroshio carry a very significant identify the main source maintaining amount of heat which is transferred a substantial ionosphere on the to the atmosphere through evaporation. nightside of Titan. (Figure 4). We have shown that such moist processes are associated with a Our empirical model of Titan's neutral vigorous circulation of air masses from atmosphere describes the densities the sea surface to the ‘tropopause’ and temperatures in the thermos- (Fig. 7). phere and revealed a distinct equatorial oblateness. We showed that ion- Atmospheric processes. neutral coupling in Saturn's thermos- We study the behaviour of the atmos- phere / ionosphere provides a possible phere using a simplified climate model solution to its well known “energy which includes a full representation crisis”. We successfully completed Figure 5:GERB inter-calibration using of the dynamical motions but highly our first campaign of accurate radio the moon. Longwave and shortwave parameterised representation of tracking of the Venus Express 'images', peak black body temperature physical processes (such as solar spacecraft to derive in-situ thermos- and maximum and mean shortwave heating). We can carry out many radiance.

47 experiments to investigate how the Instrumentation Development climate might respond to different factors, such as increased green- C. M. Carr, J. E. Harries, J. Pickering, house gases or variations in the R. Toumi Sun's output. The response to many forcings may be mapped onto the The group’s scientific interests are intrinsic modes of variability of the underpinned by major instrumen- tation projects for space-flight, on research aircraft, and in the laboratory.

The TAFTS instrument is the first Figure 9: A refueling stop off during a high resolution, far-IR, FT spectrometer CAVIAR project flight in September 2008. undertaking simultaneous up- and down-welling radiance measurements a new fluxgate design which at 100g in-situ in the atmosphere. As part of is half the mass of any sensor we the CAVIAR (Continuum Absorption have previously flown in space. We in the Visible and Infrared and its have also completed a first stage of Figure 7: North (red) - South (blue) mass Atmospheric Relevance) project TAFTS testing new, commercially available, transport by the atmosphere per bin of took part in a flight measurement solid-state Magnetoresistive sensors, dry (x-axis) and moist (y-axis) static campaign in 2008 on board the NERC/ with promising results. During 2010 energy across 40N. (Science, 2008). Met Office FAAM, studying the the group was awarded a European atmosphere (see Figure 8) and thus component of the absorption of electro- Space Agency sponsored contract the location and strength of the mid- magnetic radiation which varies to investigate how our magnetic field latitude jet stream and storm tracks. relatively slowly with wavelength, technology can be transferred to the known as the water vapour continuum. oil and gas exploration market Regional Climate processes. This absorption is a significant Climate models predict more intense contribution to the greenhouse effect, Our high resolution spectroscopy storms as the world warms. We are but surprisingly its strength, dependence laboratory has a unique visible- modelling idealised storms and find on conditions (e.g., temperature, vacuum ultraviolet Fourier Transform that peak rainfall scales with available pressure) and physical origins are Spectrometer. We study atomic and moisture as predicted by the Clausius not well understood. molecular spectra of importance for -Clapeyron relationship. However, interpretation of spectral measure- these storms also cover a larger Four GERB (Geostationary Earth ments of planetary atmospheres and area so that the volume of rain and Radiation Budget) instruments are astrophysical objects, such as the flooding may increase more with scheduled to fly on the MSG opera- new generation of stellar atmos- temperature than is currently thought. tional satellites, due to continue until phere models (non-local thermody- at least 2016. GERBs 1 and 2 are namic equilibrium), looking at already in orbit. Before launch both abundances of elements in stars. instruments underwent a thorough We completed the first high ground calibration and characterisation resolution measurements of SO2 using the group's Earth Observation photoabsorption cross sections at Calibration Facility (EOCF). Last year low temperature (198K), for applica- the third GERB completed a second tions to studies of Io and Venus. calibration in the EOCF, prior to its integration on the satellite, to be launched in early 2011. The fourth GERB is currently finishing its first calibration.

Figure 8: Wind speed calculated in a The group has a long history of computer model of the climate. (Top) leading magnetometer instruments Average value as a function of latitude for space research. Looking to future and pressure (altitude). The strong missions, where the emphasis will values centred around 45N, 200hPa be on low mass, low power, we represent the jet stream. (Bottom) have migrated the magnetometer Figure 10: The GERB instrument Major modes of positive (red) and electronics from an analogue design being placed in the thermal vacuum negative (blue) variability of the wind: to a digital signal-processing design. chamber in the EOCF for calibration. (left) Leading mode: jet wobbling about Urban areas account for much of the its mean position; (right) Second mode: carbon emissions. We are developing jet weakening and expanding (or Our continued collaboration with an observing platform to measure strengthening and narrowing) in situ. Ultra Electronics Ltd has resulted in carbon fluxes at the Imperial campus.

48 Theoretical Physics m e b r s G r o u p P h y s i c T h e o r t i c a l

49 Theoretical Physics http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research/theory Head of Group Big Bang Universe,” on cosmology In theoretical cosmology, Contaldi and Professor C. M. Hull and his research. Dr. Carlo Contaldi co-workers investigated anisotropic and Dr. Toby Wiseman’s work was inflationary models with massive vector The work of the Theoretical Physics featured in a New Scientist article, fields, showing ghosts render the Group covers a wide range of research “Has ‘dark fluid’ saved Earth from models unstable. Contaldi, Wiseman areas bound together by the theme oblivion?” (6th March). Dr. Fay and their student also studied Tensor- of fundamental questions in cosmology, Dowker appeared on the BBC TV Vector-Scalar (TeVeS) Theory, a gravity, particle physics, and quantum Horizon programme “Do You Know covariant theory that has Modified theory. Our research activity benefited What Time it is?” (2nd December) Newtonian Dynamics (MoND) as its from the Geometry and String Theory describing her research on the low-velocity phenomenology. They programme at the Mathematical nature of time. found that, generically, the vector field Institute, which brought many visitors develops caustic singularities on Cosmology and Quantum Field to the Group. The group organised time scales of order the gravitational Theory “Gravity, Supersymmetry and Branes”, in-fall time and argued that the theory an international conference in C. R. Contaldi, T.S Evans, must be modified to the more general celebration of Prof. Kellogg Stelle’s H.F.Jones (emeritus), T.W.B. Kibble form of Einstein-Aether theories. 60th Birthday on April 24-25th 2008. (emeritus), J. Magueijo, A. Ranjantie, R.J. Rivers (emeritus), T. Wiseman, N. Bevis, A. Niarchou

Cosmology links together the research of the group: fundamental physics will Figure 3: Simulation of matter be tested by making cosmological collapsing to form a black hole in the predictions and cosmology needs TeVeS theory of Dark Matter. The fundamental physics to address vertical lines are the integral curves of outstanding questions. Cosmology is the dynamical vector field and their an experimental subject and as yet meeting at the top center demonstrates more detailed data on cosmic micro- the formation of a ‘caustic singularity’ wave background (CMB) fluctuations CMB polarisation measurements and Large Scale Structure (LSS) have the potential to tell us much surveys arrives, our work continues about the history and structure of Figure 1: Prof. Kellogg Stelle in testing the detailed predictions of the universe and Contaldi, Magueijo a number of cosmological models. and a co-worker considered the Outreach highlights included The possibility that anomalous CMB Friends of Imperial College Lecture On the observational front Contaldi polarisation with interesting observa- “Eleven dimensions of the Unifying continued to participate in a number tional consequences could arise Theory” by Michael Duff, of important CMB experimental from gravitational waves if gravity is Professor of Theoretical Physics, which collaborations such as SPIDER, a chiral and breaks parity symmetry. filled the Alexander Fleming lecture balloon-borne large-scale CMB theatre to its capacity of 300 (1st polarimeter, leading the analysis and January). The lecture can be viewed at theoretical interpretation. The publi- http://www.friendsofimperial.org.uk/in cation of the high resolution CMB dex.php?page=past-events. power spectrum from the complete According to Chair Roderick Rhys- ACBAR data set was a highlight. Jones, this was the highest atten- dance on record in the history of the Friends’ lecture series. Prof. Duff was also interviewed by Andrew Marr about “M-theory” on BBC Radio 4’s Start the Week (24th March), gave a Royal Institution Evening Discourse on “The world in eleven dimensions” (4th April) and other public lectures. Figure 4: Chiral gravity model tensor contribution to the TB (solid, black), BB Figure 2: The CMB Power Spectrum (dashed, red), and EB (dotted, blue) Further highlights included Prof. Joao from the Arcminute Cosmology spectra for a standard ACDM model Magueijo presenting a Discovery Bolometer Array Receiver (Reichardt et with tensor to scalar ratio r =0.1 and Science Channel documentary, “The al. 2008). imaginary Immirzi parameter γ = 10.

50 The widespread belief in inflation is gating on Anti de-Sitter (AdS) space- partly due to a lack of alternative time. This has revolutionised our models for generating primordial understanding of strongly coupled density perturbations. Magueijo quantum field theories and it may suggested a novel and very general lead an analytic description of the mechanism: if the speed of sound strong-coupling dynamics of QCD, were vastly larger in the early Universe solving a major outstanding problem a near scale-invariant spectrum of in high energy theory. We have density fluctuations could have been made many key discoveries in the produced even in the absence of AdS/CFT correspondence. inflation. The strength of this proposal is that it is not tied to a specific model The work of Tseytlin focused on and Magueijo implemented the general understanding the string theory side scenario in two contexts: bimetric of the AdS/CFT duality. Important varying speed of light theories and progress towards an exact solution deformed special relativity. Magueijo Figure 5: Quantum fluctuations mean of string theory in AdS5 x S5 space also studied the residue that the initial that cosmic strings formed in the early was made by reformulating string thermal state of the universe – the Big universe have correlations that extend theory in terms of invariant “current” Bang – could have on the large scale over many horizon lengths, with poten- variables and constructing an equiv- tially observable effects. structure of space-time. By comparing alent model for the physical degrees thermal and vacuum fluctuations, the Minority Game of econophysics of freedom based on a Wess-Zumino- Magueijo and a co-worker placed a and certain models of ecology. Witten type reduced theory. The constraint on the temperature of the formulation in terms of current Universe before and during inflation. Kibble continued the study of cosmic variables led Tseytlin (together with Our research in non-perturbative strings with junctions, and also worked Ricci and Wolf) to the explanation of aspects of quantum field theory on the formation of monopoles the string theory origin of a novel dual covers applications from particle connected by strings in a particular superconformal symmetry that plays physics and cosmology to effective model. He also wrote the definitive a crucial role in relating gluon theories of condensed matter systems article for Scholarpedia on the “Englert- scattering amplitudes and Wilson and networks. Brout-Higgs-Guralnik-Hagen-Kibble loops in gauge theory. Tseytlin also mechanism.” Rivers worked on dual studied the structure of the large Any observed non-Gaussianity of models for strings with junctions spin expansion of anomalous cosmological density perturbations which led to an understanding of their dimensions of fixed twist operators would be a hugely important clue evaporation patterns and possible in a super Yang-Mills theory dual to into the physics of the early universe. importance in the early universe. rotating strings in AdS5 space and For example, if light scalar fields are Jones continued his work on non- has shown that the remarkable present at the end of inflation, their Hermitian systems, addressing the reciprocity property observed at non-equilibrium dynamics can produce question of how non-Hermitian systems weak coupling holds also at strong non-Gaussian density perturbations. couple to the Hermitian world. coupling, both at leading and Rajantie and his student calculated String Theory and Quantum Field subleading (string 1-loop) orders. these perturbations using non-linear Theory lattice field theory simulations. In the massless preheating model, they M. Duff, J. P. Gauntlett, A. Hanany, found that some parameter ranges C. M. Hull, K. S. Stelle, A. A. Tseytlin, are ruled out and others lead to D. Waldram, T. Wiseman, A. Alexandrov, acceptable but observable levels of E. Antonyan, J. Bedford, S. Kim, non-Gaussianity. Rajantie also showed D. Martelli, A. Rej, R. Ricci, J. Sonner, that quantum and thermal gauge field B. Stefanski, M. Wolf fluctuations give rise to superhorizon correlations in a network of gauged Superstring theory is now understood cosmic strings. to arise from the more fundamental Figure 6: String world surface ending M-theory, in which strings are accom- on two parallel light-like Wilson lines at Evans studied complex networks panied by higher dimensional extended the boundary of AdS5 space. arising in a variety of contexts. He objects, called branes. A crucial A significant recent development in looked at exact analytic solutions and discovery is that quantum gravity and M-theory is the progress on under- various numerical results for the quantum field theory are different standing the quantum field theories rewiring of bipartite networks. He also facets of a single structure. For that arise on collection of membranes. showed how the results can be applied example, the AdS/CFT correspon- Bagger, Lambert and Gustavson to many other areas including the Voter dence relates conformal quantum constructed new maximally super- and Urn models of statistical physics, field theory to string theory propa- symmetric actions based on novel

51 algebras with a triple product. Gauntlett proved a “no-go theorem” for such algebras that provided important constraints on the construction of such theories which was influential for subsequent developments. Gauntlett has continued to study the AdS/CFT correspondence and discovered infinite new classes of Figure 8: (i) Quiver diagram for the ABJM theory (ii) Tiling for the ABJM theory solutions of string theory with three- dimensional anti-de-Sitter factors that 4-fold. The master space of the quiver that EGG naturally describes generic are dual to two-dimensional quantum theory was used as a tool to construct backgrounds with flux. In further work, field theories. An interesting new the moduli space for this class and Waldram and co-workers derived local application of the AdS/CFT corre- the Hilbert Series was computed for expressions for the pure spinors spondence is to use it to study systems some examples. describing the generalised geometry of interest in condensed matter and dual to an SU(3) structure background, Gauntlett has constructed new classes It is important to understand regimes and showed that the equations for N of solutions with a non-relativistic of string theory in which familiar = 1 vacua are invariant under T-duality. conformal symmetry. concepts of low-energy supergravity They also proposed a local gener- do not apply and in which M-theory alized geometrical definition of the is very different from field theory. charges f, H, Q and R appearing in Indeed, generic solutions of string effective four-dimensional theories, theory are not conventional geome- using the Courant bracket. tries. Hull continued his leading work on “non-geometric” string backgrounds Duff continued his work on the intriguing investigating, with a co-worker, correspondence he discovered compactications with T-duality twists between the entropy of certain four- and calculating the gauge algebra of dimensional black holes in string the dimensionally reduced theories. theory and entanglement measures These reductions can be formulated in quantum information theory. He in a ‘doubled space’ in which each and his students considered the circle is supplemented by a T-dual configurations of intersecting D3- circle to construct a geometry which branes, whose wrapping around the Figure 7: Features of the topology of a is a doubled torus bundle over a six compact dimensions provides the class of AdS3 solutions of type IIB circle. Hull and co-workers also string-theoretic interpretation of the supergravity that are holographically worked on topological sigma models. charges, and associated the 3-qubit dual to two-dimensional conformal field One class was obtained by twisting basis vectors |ABC > with the corre- theories. the N=(2,2) supersymmetric nonlinear sponding 8 wrapping cycles. Recently, Hanany made further progress in sigma model and when the two they provided a new interpretation of understanding very large classes of complex structures commute, it was 3-qubit entanglement based on supersymmetric gauge theories. He shown that the quantum theory is Freudenthal triples. Duff also studied continued to use his plethystic globally well-defined. They also looked the 21-year-old paradox arising from programme for systematically counting at two dimensional N-extended his ”membrane at the end of the the single and multi-trace gauge supersymmetry in Euclidean signature universe” idea: certain branes exhibited invariant operators of a gauge theory, and its R-symmetry. the required symmetry enhancement applying it to Supersymmetric QCD in the near-horizon limit but others, among other examples. Hanany Waldram and co-workers studied for example the heterotic string, did extended his leading work on Brane “exceptional generalised geometry” not. Duff argued that the recently tilings which are e•cient mnemonics (EGG), an extension of Hitchin’s discovered symmetry enhancement of for Lagrangians of N=2 Chern-Simons- generalised geometry that provides the heterotic string, due to a' correc- matter theories which are conjectured a unified geometrical description of tions, would resolve the paradox and to arise on M2-branes probing singular backgrounds in eleven-dimensional provide new AdS/CFT dualities if it can toric Calabi-Yau fourfolds. For example, supergravity. On a d-dimensional be extended to other strings and branes. he and a co-worker presented a new background, as first described by infinite class of Chern-Simons theories Hull, the action of the generalised Stelle and co-workers carried out a using brane tilings. The new class geometrical O(d,d) symmetry group dimensional reduction of M-theory to reproduces all known cases so far is replaced by the exceptional U- one dimension on Calabi-Yau 5-folds and introduces many new models duality group Ed(d). The metric and with a view to studying minimal that are dual to M2 brane theories form-field degrees of freedom combine supersymmetric cosmology using which probe a toric non-compact CY into a single geometrical object, so the resulting N=2 supersymmetric

52 an energy diffusion and drift and tight bounds on the two parameters were derived due to the the spectrum of CMB radiation having remained blackbody for 13 billion years.

Some of the interesting outstanding problems in quantum theory concern situations in which time appears in a non-trivial way. Halliwell used the decoherent histories approach to analyse the arrival time problem in Figure 9: (i) Onion-like classification of the entanglement of three quantum bits (ii) Stratification. The arrows are non-invertible transformations between classes . He showed that in the Zeno limit, in which the step quantum mechanics. A study was done Quantum Gravity and the function potential marking the arrival of the implications of supersymmetric Foundations of Quantum Mechanics point becomes large, the arrival time nonrenormalisation theorems for the distribution may be obtained in a clear ultraviolet structure of maximal super- H. F. Dowker, J. J. Halliwell, C. J. Isham, way using a path integral represen- gravity, from the view points of super- D. Bedingham, A. Doering, K. Savvidou, tation of the propagator and the path space and algebraic renormalisation. A. Valentini decomposition expansion in which These demonstrate that 1/2 BPS the propagator is factored across a operators are ruled out as counterterms, The problem of quantum gravity, how surface of constant time. This method but less constrained operators are to find a unified framework for all of gives the same result for a wide not. Stelle also classified duality physics including gravity, is a common class of complex potentials. orbits for stationary supergravity thread throughout the work of the solutions, including supersymmetric group. As well as String Theory, we and nonsupersymmetric black hole work on other approaches to quantum solutions with mass, NUT charge and gravity which are intertwined with the angular momentum. The stratified problem of the interpretation of structure of these orbits into BPS classes quantum mechanics, a focus in its results from the breakdown of the own right. Iwasawa decomposition for noncompact divisor groups relevant to the nonlinear Dowker continued to work on the duality-group realisations for stationary causal set approach to quantum solutions. gravity, in which spacetime is conjec- Figure 11: The arrival time problem in tured to be fundamentally discrete. quantum mechanics: what is the proba- Wiseman and a co-worker studied Thus far there is only circumstantial bility that an incoming wavepacket black hole thermodynamics by evidence for the existence of “spacetime crosses the origin during a given time simulating lattice Yang-Mills theory. atoms” and we need to derive direct interval? They observed ’t Hooft scaling and observational signatures to test this A long-term interest of Isham is the at low temperatures their results are idea. Dowker and co-workers application of topos theory to quantum consistent with the dual black hole discovered a phenomenological gravity and the foundations of quantum prediction. Motivated in part by this model of massless particle propa- theory. The goal of the programme work, Wiseman and his student also gation on a discrete spacetime that is to develop a fundamentally new worked on extending holographic would have observational conse- way of building theories of physics renormalisation to the decoupling quences for light received from very and Isham and Doering made limit of coincident Dp-branes. This is distant sources. There are two effects: further progress resulting in a 200- important because it is this technology page article that will be included in a that allows one to make predictions forthcoming Springer Lecture Notes from supergravity for the connection on Physics (ed. Bob Coecke). The between deformation by sources basic contention is that constructing and the response in expectations a theory of physics is equivalent to values in the field theory which can finding a representation in a topos of be solved for numerically. They a certain formal language that is constructed the asymptotic graviton attached to the system. Quantum and dilaton deformations and computed theory itself can be reformulated in a counterterms to give a finite renor- neo-realist manner, without Figure 10: Causal relations (green malized bulk action and dual one reference to measurements, point functions. lines) between the spacetime atoms (red crosses) underlying a 1+1 dimen- observers or other instrumentalist sional flat spacetime. concepts.

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

Photo: Meilin Sancho Undergraduate Teaching staff members Director of Undergraduate Studies: those people who intend to follow a UCAS applicants has risen some Professor A. MacKinnon career path within physics, but they 15% over the last six years, and Senior Tutor: Prof R. Murray are also suitable for anyone else who stood at 52% in 2009. All the intake Admissions Tutor: Dr R. Forsyth wants to have the opportunity to had achieved 3 grade As at A level, study advanced topics in their degree. the number achieving 4 or 5 grade In October 2008 we welcomed a As rose significantly, and the scores BSc Programmes record intake of 256 new students for IB candidates were also up, onto our undergraduate programmes. We offer two three-year BSc making 2009 the most highly With an additional 232 in October programmes in Physics and in qualified intake ever. 2009, the total undergraduate Physics with Theoretical Physics. population came to nearly 900, Comparatively few people register We are delighted that the making us one of the largest Physics initially on the ordinary BSc, but percentage of incoming women departments in the country. numbers increase through transfers, students has increased over the last Applications increased by about some voluntary, but most being those four years, up to an all time high of 25% for the two years following the who do not achieve the requirement 34% in 2009, although at 28% introduction of top-up fees, despite for an average mark of around 60% overall it is still well short of where (possibly because of) the requirement at the end of the MSci second year. we would like it to be. The four year for students to have achieved at The BSc in Physics with Theoretical MSci is by far the most popular least 3 As at A level. Numbers have Physics has relatively few students, programme with about 56% of the now levelled off, but the standard of but it is invaluable for some overseas intake, whilst the MSci with Theory, applicants remains excellent. students who find funding four years MSci with Year in Europe and the a problem. BSc programmes are three year BSc recruited good Degree Programmes suitable for students who want to numbers with about 17%, 15% and Students are enrolled onto one of six take a specialist MSc course after 9% respectively. Numbers on the programmes of three or four years’ graduating, or who intend to move MSci with Musical Performance duration leading to an MSci or BSc out of physics when they have programme are always very low, but degree. Now we have gained completed their degree (for example, we were pleased that 3 students independence from the University of in order to pursue careers in finance joined in 2008, another transferred London, students from the 2008 entry or IT). The four-year BSc in Physics in during the year, and 3 more onward will receive our own Imperial with Studies in Musical Performance joined in 2009. With the 3 from College degrees. The degree structure (administered jointly with the Royal 2007, this is by far the largest allows easy transfer between most College of Music) is unique, and number we have had on this degree of the programmes in the early years. attracts small numbers of exceptional at any one time. candidates who are well qualified in MSci Programmes both disciplines. The department is happy to welcome All three of our MSci degrees are Admissions students with disabilities, and in 2008 four-year programmes. The MSci in we were delighted to be joined by Physics is by far the most popular, with In 2008, the number of UCAS appli- Claire, who has cerebral palsy. This most students registering initially on this cations for 2008 entry dropped 7% very significantly limits her muscular programme. The MSci programmes on the previous year, but the rate of control in everyday life, including her in Physics with a Year in Europe, and acceptance jumped 5.7%, giving us speech. However, she whizzes Physics with Theoretical Physics a record intake of 256. Some of the around in an electric wheelchair, supply more specialist needs, and logistical considerations of our usually in the company of a helper, attract steady numbers. MSci record intake are discussed below. and has become a familiar figure in programmes are intended mainly for The acceptance rate of offers to the department. Her presence has

54 caused us to reassess many matters take advanced physics options in teaching of new material, he gave out such as access and emergency their final year, alongside their major detailed course notes in advance procedures, and arranging learning research project. and students were asked to study support for her amongst postgraduate them before the lecture. The lecture Lecture courses and undergraduate students was time was then used for expanding initially quite a challenge. The real Much of our teaching is based on some points, and for demonstrations challenge has been Claire’s, of traditional lectures, supported by and worked examples as well as the course, and with her sense of humour classworks and by small group clicker questions. The aim was to and enthusiasm for Physics she seminars and tutorials. The high help the students to engage more overcomes difficulties on a daily basis. standard of our lecturing is regularly during the lectures, rather than just recognised in the College’s Teaching to take notes passively. Although Structure of the Degree Programmes Awards. Nominations for these preparation time was significantly The basic structure of the degree awards come from the students increased, Richard found it a useful programmes is two years of core themselves. In 2008, Dr Fay Dowker exercise and the students agreed it physics and mathematics, followed and Prof Dimitri Vvedensky received was effective and enjoyable. by one or two years of advanced awards, Fay principally for her Level options in selected areas of physics. 3 Foundations of Quantum Mechanics Our record intake of 256 in October Laboratory work forms an integral course and her outreach activities, 2008 presented us with with a number part of all programmes in the first and Dimitri for his longstanding of infrastructure problems. Extra two years, even for those on the excellence in a wide range of courses. equipment was purchased for the Theoretical Physics degrees. All In 2009, Prof Richard Thompson, Teaching Lab and Computing Suite, programmes include a research who was retiring as Director of but the problem in our largest lecture project (normally in the final year), Undergraduate Studies after six theatre, which only had 230 seats, which may be experimental, compu- years, not only received an award was not so easily solved. We added tational or theoretical. for excellence in teaching, but was an extra 16 cinema-type seats, the also made a College Teaching Fellow. maximum that fire regulations would Much physics is taught in a non- allow, but were still 10 short. We mathematical way in schools, but Changes to our lecture courses are therefore had to offer a relay room. advanced study at University level made regularly in order to ensure The potential for technical disaster requires a solid foundation in mathe- that they remain topical. It was always was high, but thanks to John Conway, matics, so a large part of the first somewhat anomalous that our our invaluable Learning Technologist, year is spent learning the mathe- Instrumentation course was purely a twin-screen system was hardwired matical tools and techniques lecture based, and when Chris Carr to the nearest Seminar Room, which necessary for a full treatment of the took it over in October 2008, he functioned well from the beginning. physics. The first term starts with completely reconstructed the The overspill and late arrivals were an induction week, where students content to include lab and computing directed to the Relay Room, where are shown the departmental and sessions. Now renamed Principles a postgraduate student could remotely College facilities, and introductory of Instrumentation, it is established zoom in on the six boards or follow talks are given about different aspects as a very successful and popular the lecturer round the dais, whilst a of the study programme. After this, Level 3 option. In total there are separate screen displayed anything the main physics and mathematics about ten physics options in Year 3 projected onto the side screen in the courses start in earnest, starting from and 13 advanced options in Year 4. theatre. It was expected that this the foundations that have been would run for a couple of weeks, but learned at A level. Alongside the The department has continued to in fact it proved popular with students lectures, students have tutorials and expand the use of “clickers” in lecture and ran till the penultimate week of seminars as well as around 6 hours theatres. These allow individual term, when a combination of of laboratory work each week. students to submit solutions to assignment deadlines and early multiple-choice questions posed by winter colds made the numbers In the second year, there is less the lecturer during a lecture. The unviable. mathematics and more concentration results are seen immediately, so the on classical and quantum physics in lecturer has instant feedback and The top students on four of the the lectures. There is a choice of a can discuss the results, and explain Department’s lecture courses are physics or mathematics option or a any misunderstandings of the material. awarded special prizes. In 2008, language course. The third year The students can also see straight Bilal Rashid, Ren Chong Lin and completes the core of physics and away if they are understanding the Archi Campbell won prizes for students can choose from a wide lecture. In the Second Year Optics Atmospheric Physics, Computational range of physics options and can course, Richard Thompson used Physics and Medical MRI & Ultrasound also take a Humanities or Business clickers in every session, and changed respectively, whilst Sandeep Mavadia School course. Students on the MSci the format of the lectures. Instead won the prize for Instrumentation. degrees have the opportunity to of using the lecture time for direct In 2009 the winners were Scott

55 Greening, Xu Weiming, Rodothea personal tutor who remains in contact Amerikanou and Astrid Flinois. with them throughout their time at Tutorials and Seminars, Imperial. The personal tutor monitors Professional Skills how they are getting on with their degree programme and gives advice We understand that arriving in a about choice of options and career class of 250 students can be daunting opportunities as well as discussing and impersonal, so alongside the questions that students may have lectures we have other teaching about non-academic issues. Not activities where students meet in the least of their value is as a smaller groups and are able to get referee for PhD and job applications, project is the most enjoyable part of to know each other better. In the sometimes long after the student has their degree as they are then able to first year, students meet once a graduated. pull together many of the skills that week for professional skills seminars Teaching Laboratories they have learnt throughout their in groups of about 20. The aim in degree and get to grips with a topic the first term is to develop skills such Laboratory work forms a very that may be at the frontier of research. as working in small groups, writing a important part of all the Physics They are often able to produce new precis of a scientific article and programmes, and a revision of the results which can sometimes lead to making a short presentation. In the laboratory work in all years has recently a scientific publication in a research second term the seminars focus on been completed. The first year journal. Projects often involve working the problem-solving skills which are laboratory has added new introductory alongside PhD students and postdoc- a very important characteristic of a material, with the aim of easing the toral researchers in a research group good . transition from laboratory work in in the department. Students can school to the more independent enjoy their project work so much Tutorials are held in groups of 4 work with advanced equipment and that they decide that they want to students throughout the first three techniques encountered at University. carry on with research, sometimes years of the programmes. In tutorials The second year laboratory has new in the same research group. it is possible to ask tutors questions computer control of some experiments, about the lecture course material and in the third year laboratory we and problem sheets. Tutors also have introduced a small group of new encourage discussion about other core experiments to replace some topics within physics to help students older experiments which are no longer see the wider relevance of what very relevant to the current syllabus. they are studying. Much of the laboratory area has In the third year, when students been refurbished over recent years, have completed their study of the and several hundred thousand core of physics and have gained an pounds invested in the laboratory overview of the whole subject, they infrastructure and in new equipment, are able to see how different areas including mobile data stations for The Department awards three prizes of physics relate to each other. computer control of apparatus and for projects each year. In 2008 the Tutorials in the third year concentrate high-speed collection and analysis Tyndall prize went to Rak Kyeong on preparation for the Comprehensive of data from experiments. Seong for a theoretical project Examination Papers, which test entitled Brane Dimers and Quiver students’ ability to tackle problems Alongside laboratory work, all students Gauge Theories , and the Tessella from across the whole spectrum of spend time on computing courses, Prize for Software to Robert Shakir, physics. This is a critical skill for which concentrate on learning to for a microprocessor controlled people working as physicists, and use the computer language C++ for spectrum analyser. Alex Sparrow employers value the ability of good advanced calculations and other physics graduates to tackle unseen applications. Many students use problems from across the subject. these skills when they come on to Because we consider this to be their project work later in the degree such an important skill, the compre- programme. hensive examinations count for a Projects large part of that year’s marks. Every undergraduate student under- There are Professional Skills elements takes a major research project, in all four years of our degrees. normally in their final year (Year in Europe students do theirs abroad in All students are also assigned a Year 3). Many students find that the Photos: Meilin Sancho

56 won The Worshipful Company of In the third year the situation is similar, styles. This can be challenging, but Scientific Instrument Makers Prize for with laboratory work assessed overall it is a rewarding experience a project to design and implement throughout the year and examina- and students gain enormously from high speed algorithms to detect jets tions at the end of the year. The spending a year in another country. in the CMS detector on the Large Computational Physics option includes Some return to the host country Hadron Collider. Winners in 2009 were two major assignments and a final later on to take further studies. Aeneas Wiener, Stavros Mercouris and test taken in January. In addition, Ali Mozzafari, whilst Scott Greening, the third year includes the compre- The incoming (Occasional) students Jack Cutler and Jonathan Skidmore hensive examinations, which cover on the exchange programme do much shared the WCSIM Prize. Aeneas material from all the core courses. to enrich the international ethos of Wiener’s achievement in overcoming the department. They are frequently a serious visual impairment was Projects are assessed in a number very able indeed, often taking courses inspiring, and he has gone on to the of ways, to reflect the different at MSc level, and some stay on with DTC in Theory & Simulation of Materials. aspects of project work. Students us to do a PhD. We welcome about are given an interim assessment mark, 30-35 incoming exchange students At the end of the First Year, students and are also assessed on a short each year. carry out a short project in small presentation. The main part of the BSc in Physics with Studies groups. The Project Open Days in assessment comes from the final in Musical Performance June are among the highlights of the project report, which is a substantial year, when students show their results document setting out the background Music has long played an important to other members of the department to the project, the work that the part in the life of the Physics (staff and students) and to visiting student has carried out, the results Department, and many of our sixth-formers considering applying to obtained and the conclusions that students sing in College choirs or Imperial. A gallery of photographs can be drawn. Many project reports play in the orchestras. This unique of the first year projects can be seen are scholarly documents of which degree programme, administered on the department’s website. students are rightly proud, and their jointly with the neighbouring Royal project marks are often very high, College of Music, was introduced in reflecting the amount of effort that the early 1990s for students with they put into this part of the degree. high abilities in both Physics and Exchange Programme instrumental playing. Neither college reduces its entry criteria, so students The exchange programme continues have to be exceptionally able to enter to thrive. We have ERASMUS the programme, and we seldom take exchange agreements with 13 more than two or three students per universities in western Europe, although year. In 2008, guitarist Martin they are not all used every year. In Athanasiou graduated with First 2008, 23 students went out to Europe. Class honours, and was awarded a French is normally the most popular Ken Allen Prize for his achievement. language, and in 2008-09 there were Numbers on this degree inevitably Assessment 12 students distributed amongst vary, but in October 2008 we gained ESPCI (Paris), U Paris-Sud XI (Orsay) a trombonist, a saxophonist and a Assessment is not limited to formal and INP Grenoble in France, and viola player, whilst in 2009 we examinations. In the first and second EPF Lausanne in Switzerland. Four added two horn players and a years, assessed problem sheets are students went to Hamburg and violinist. given out every two or three weeks Heidelberg in Germany, we had two and students have a week to hand in Padova and one in Trento (Italy), in their solutions for marking. In and three in Spain at Santander and January, students in both years sit a Valencia. In 2009 there were 25 New Year Test on the first term’s abroad, with similar distributions. courses. In laboratory, students are assessed on their practical work as Year in Europe students spend a well as on their written lab reports, large part of their year abroad working where they set out the details of in a research group on a major project. what they have done and the results They often excel in this, gaining very they have obtained. Formal exami- high marks, and sometimes becoming nations on the lecture courses are an author on a paper. Students also S a n c h o held at the end of the year and these take some lecture courses at the M e i l n

count for a little over half the total host university, where they have to P h o t s : mark for the first two years. cope with problems of language and Martin Athanasiou receiving the Ken different lecturing and examination Allen Prize

57 Student activities along with the then Rector, Sir Richard prizes for academic excellence, Sykes. At the Grand Final in the Science Gloucester Research have donated In March each year, the student Physics Museum in March, the First Prize for 10 awards for non-graduating students, Society (PhySoc) organises a highly students went to Erika Cule, an under- and the Majlis Khuddam ul Ahmadiyya successful Big Physics Day, when graduate in Biochemistry, whilst Foundation have set up a generous sixth formers and others attend Hassan Al Halwachi from Sherborne award in the name of Abdus Salam, lectures and activities in large numbers. School won the Schools Prize. the Physics Department’s last Nobel As well as being enjoyable in Prizewinner, for the best graduating themselves, we hope activities like The Commemoration Day Reception MSci student. In 2008 it was presented this will stimulate recruitment, and late in October each year is the setting by Masroor Ahmad of the Foundation we look forward to future statistics for our departmental prizegiving. In to Simon Gentle, and in 2009 to with interest. addition to the project and lecture Sania Jevtic. course prizes mentioned above, best Daniel Burrows, a third year Physics in year prizes 2008 were awarded to The Department owes a debt of student and former Departmental Bartomeu Monserrat Sánchez (Year 1), gratitude to those students who act Representative, organised the third Stavros Mercouris (Year 2), Thomas as Student Representatives, particu- Royal College of Science Union’s Hammant (BSc Year 3) and Simon larly the Departmental Representatives, Science Challenge 2008. Students Gentle (MSci Year 4). Daniel Burrows Ignacio Vazquez in 2008-09 and Raj and schools were invited to submit received the Royal College of Science Krishnakumar in 2009-10. Their 800 word essays on themes suggested Association Prize for both academic contributions to the Staff/Student by the distinguished judges, Dr Phillip achievement and his contribution to Committee are invaluable for flagging Campbell (Editor in Chief, Nature), Lord the College community. In 2009 the up causes of student concern at an Robert Winston, Pallab Ghosh (BBC first three year prizes were won by early stage. They are often able to Science Editor), and Dr Paul Snaith Vincent Chen, Bartomeu Monserrat take action to resolve difficulties on, (Vice-President, Downstream Marketing), Sánchez and Stavros Mercouris. It for instance, lecture courses, without was a particular pleasure to us that intervention from staff, and frequently Sania Jevtic was awarded the MSci canvass student opinion on new Year 4 prize. We have had some very proposals. Being an active rep talented women students, but Sania takes up time, but can be a great was the first woman to have come top benefit to their fellow students. of her year. She is now doing the Graduate Destinations DTC in Controlled Quantum Dynamics. The largest fraction of our graduates Whilst we are on the subject of prizes, stay within the physics area, mostly the Physics Department has been by continuing to further study at greatly enriched by three benefactors Imperial or elsewhere. This may be in the last two or three years. Ken direct entry into a PhD research Allen, an engineer and alumnus of programme, or it may be a specialist Daniel Burrows receiving his RCSA award the department, has donated five twelve month MSc degree such as the department’s courses in Quantum Fields and Fundamental Forces or Optics and Photics, or the MSc in General Physics, added in October 2008. We received funding for three Doctoral Training Centres starting in 2009, which offer a Masters degree in the first year, leading to a PhD after four years. Subjects tend to be Thomas Hammant Stavros Mercouris Sania Jevtic cross-disciplinary, and currently include Controlled Quantum Dynamics, Plastic Electronics and Theory & Simulation of Materials. Other graduating students use their physics skills in areas such as the financial services industry or information technology. Since a physics degree develops skills such

Photos: Meilin Sancho as problem solving and communi- Vincent Chen Bartomeu Monserrat Sánchez Simon Gentle cation as well as technical skills, our Award winners at the Commemoration Day reception receiving their prizes from Prof. graduates are in heavy demand Donal Bradley and Prof. Jo Haigh. from a wide range of employers.

58 Postgraduate Studies http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/physics/admissions/pg/research/ Director of Postgraduate Studies: The Graduate School of Engineering Joe Kwiatkowski – Experimental Prof Lesley Cohen and Physical Sciences Solid State Physics (Supervisor: (http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/gseps) Prof. Jenny Nelson) The Department of Physics at Imperial provides training programmes and Joe’s PhD thesis concerned modeling College is one of the largest Physics workshops in professional and other charge transport in molecular departments in the UK and 5* rated skills, undertakes quality assurance electronic materials. He demonstrated in the Research Assessment Exercise. of graduate programmes, organises how charge mobilities in molecular The Department’s research covers a events, such as guest lectures and semiconductors depend on both the comprehensive range of topics in symposia, and promotes career chemical structure of the pi-conjugated theoretical and experimental fields opportunities for graduate students. molecules and the way in which the and has a flourishing postgraduate The Graduate school has won the molecules pack together. For the research and taught MSc community. Times Higher Award for post graduate case of one important molecular Research fields extend from astronomy, training in 2006 and 2008 and this material, buckminsterfullerene, he space and plasma physics to high reflects the quality of the courses on showed how the mobility in disor- energy, theoretical and atomic physics, offer. Very few institutions world- dered thin films could be predicted and condensed matter theory. Solid wide are able to provide such a wide solely from knowledge of the chemical state physics, plastic electronics, range of opportunities in postgraduate structure and the attractive potential laser physics, applied optics and professional skills training. between two molecules. Joe’s work photonics are all areas where there Examples of some highlights from attracted substantial industrial and is close collaboration with industry, PhD Research work in the academic interest, including BASF. while fields such as quantum infor- Department Joe has published several seminal mation theory may lead to exciting papers including an invited review new applications. There are close Fernando Bradeo – Quantum paper, and he has released his links with the research Optics and Laser Science software under open source license group (part of the Department of (Supervisor Prof Martin Plenio) for further use and development. He Biological Sciences), which is also Fernando’s thesis and PhD work is a gifted communicator, and during housed in the Blackett Laboratory. focused on theoretical aspects of his time at Imperial he was invited to There are many examples of inter- quantum information science. It speak to schools, wrote news articles national and industrial collaboration consists of three parts: one on the on solar cells for lay audiences, and involving our research groups and quantitative theory of entanglement, took an active part in the outreach we are also very strongly involved in one dealing with the complexity of activities of the UK Energy Research interdisciplinary research centres quantum systems (quantum complexity Centre. In April 2009 he took up a around the college. We are directly and the complexity of simulating post doctoral position at Stanford linked to the , aspects of quantum systems), and University. the Shock Institute, the Maths Institute one on simulating quantum dynamics and the Grantham Institute for Climate in other, realistic, quantum systems. Will Reece - High Energy Physics change – all of which are centres of Of particular note is Fernando’s (Supervisor Dr Ulrik Egede) interdisciplinary research within the work on entanglement theory. The Will Reece’s thesis has involved Imperial College campus. Many groups results of the research were published trying to find out what lies behind are involved in research using large last year in Nature Physics, a the Standard Model by studying scale facilities. The Department has remarkable achievement for a rather what are known as “penguin decays” extensive internal facilities and a mathematically oriented piece of of the B meson. The focus of his tremendous range of research topics work (the complete proof has over 50 work has been to devise observables available to postgraduate research pages of dense mathematics). in the decay of Bd -> K*0 mu+ mu- students. Fernando has also been invited to whilst keeping both the theoretical talk about his results in international and the experimental errors small at Information about the research conferences (including Quantum the same time. This has led to a being undertaken in the particular Information Processing 2008 and 2008 series of new proposed observables groups and centres can be found IEEE Information Theory Workshop) and even to the complete rejection under their sections elsewhere in and many university colloquia (in of previous observables proposed in this report; further details can be more than 7 research groups). the literature. The achievement was obtained from the individual Heads Recently, Fernando has been invited recognised by an invitation to speak of Group (see page 11). We take on to give a series of five lectures at the "Physics at LHC" conference average about 60 PhD students a about his work on the workshop in Split in Spring 2008. The work year into the department. See “Resource Theories in Quantum was subsequently published in http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/physics/a Mechanics”, organized by Prof. JHEP which is the major journal for dmissions/pg/research/ Patrick Hayden of McGill University. phenomenology work in Particle

59 Physics. The foundation has also MSc in Optics and Photonics MSc in Quantum Fields and been laid for further work in this Fundamental Forces area through Will’s development of a The MSc course in Optics and computing model to simulate these Photonics has been running in its The Theoretical Physics Group runs decays in arbitrary extension to the present form since October 2001 this very successful MSc course, Standard Model. and draws on the skills of staff attracting around 20 students actively involved in optics research. annually. It is normally a one-year Isla Simpson – Space and The title reflects the fact that the course but can also be taken part- Atmospheric Physics (Supervisor course covers both the traditional time over two years. A series of Prof. ) areas of optics, which are of key lecture courses occupies the year I sla’s thesis project involves under- importance to the application of up to May and students spend the standing why the atmosphere optical techniques, and the summer on a project leading to the responds to variations in solar important areas of photonics, writing of a dissertation. The course activity with particular geographic notably optical communications and is intended to bridge the gap patterns. Isla has investigated the laser physics. The course aims to between undergraduate-level work impact of thermal perturbations of provide the professional skills in and the research frontier in the stratosphere and has developed optics that are in demand by theoretical physics. Many successful a new theory to explain the observed industry and academia. students have gone on to do a PhD effects. Her mechanism involves a either at Imperial College London or feedback between changes in the There are a large number of at another major university. wave refraction properties of the employment opportunities in optics Unfortunately, no financial support is troposphere and tropopause region and photonics throughout the UK available for students attending the and the propagation of wave activity and the rest of Europe, not only in course. associated with mid-latitude weather optical communications but also in systems (storms), which determines many other areas of applied MSc students are also encouraged how the storms force the larger photonics. to attend the regular weekly scale atmospheric flow. These seminars at which visiting speakers processes are important for under- The main components of the 12- present recent research results, as standing the tropospheric response month MSc Optics and Photonics well as internal seminars by to all types of climate forcing course are lectures, laboratory research students. These are affecting the stratosphere, including experiments and a four–month supplemented by an inter-Collegiate the 11-year solar cycle, explosive project. The project lasts from mid- programme of weekly seminars on volcanism, polar ozone loss and May to mid-September, and many string theory and related subjects. increasing greenhouse gases. The projects can be carried out in MSc in Physics importance of her work has been industry. recognised by an invitation to speak From October 2008 the Department at a large international conference in Case Study - Louise Hirst. Louise offered a new 12 month MSc in Montreal in the summer of 2009. chose to work at the National Physics. Tailored to very able BSc Physical Laboratory (NPL) in students who wish to broaden their Master Level Courses Teddington for her Optics and knowledge of Physics, the course Photonics MSc project, after prepares students for PhD level In addition to research training, the completing an undergraduate research or a career in an industrial Department offers postgraduate degree at Imperial College. Louise’s or national research laboratory taught courses leading to an project was to design and build an environment. The MSc builds upon Imperial College MSc degree or acousto-optic modulator that would the existing Masters programmes MRes degree. In 2008 the enable much faster switching of and 4th year lecture courses, with Department offered three MSc laser pulses, enabling better cooling new advanced teaching and project courses: MSc in Physics, Msc in and spectrographic investigation of elements designed specifically to Optics and Photonics and an MSc in 88Sr+ ions. The new system further develop research skills. Quantum Fields & Fundamental constructed by Louise is an The 12-month full-time programme Forces. Brief details of these MSc invaluable addition to the NPL consists of lecture courses and courses are given below and further experimental resources and project work, with a major project in details can be found at continues to be used for their the summer. Up to 6 full length http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/physics/a research. Louise is now engaged in lecture courses, plus compulsory dmissions/pg/msc/. From Oct 2009 a PhD project in the Experimental courses in advanced classical the Department will be offering a Solid State Group within the physics and mathematical further four new master level Department. techniques will be offered. The “self courses associated with the new study” project, allows students to Doctoral training Centres – see investigate a topic in physics of their further details below. choice and the personal devel-

60 opment courses will strengthen The Doctoral Training Centres student’s research and professional career skills. These activities are In 2008 the Department of Physics followed by a four month supervised won three EPSRC awards to host project in a specialist area, drawn Doctoral Training Centres (DTCs): from the wide range of research • DTC in Plastic Electronics activity carried out within the Physics Department at Imperial • DTC in Theory and Simulation of College or at the National Physical Materials Laboratory (NPL), the UK’s world- leading National Measurement • DTC in Controlled Quantum Institute, in Teddington, London. Dynamics NPL are providing sponsorships for selected students to carry out their See research project on the NPL site. http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/physics/a The sponsorship will cover the UK dmissions/pg/dtc for more details. and EU fee element of the course and provide the opportunity to work in a national laboratory environment. PhD Degrees awarded in the Department in 2008/9 Astrophysics N. D. M. Hine “New Applications of E. Harbord “Spin and carrier dynamics in Quantum Monte Carlo” InAs/GaAs self assembled quantum dots” J. Aird “Evolution of the X-ray luminosity Supervisor: Prof W M C Foulkes Supervisor: Prof R Murray function of AGN” M. Kurdian “Pure (001) Twist Grain M. J. Harding “Injection and Transport Supervisor: Prof K Nandra Boundaries In BCC Iron” in Conjugated Polymers” J. Davey “Probing the Epoch of Supervisor: Prof A P Sutton Supervisor: Prof A Campbell Reionization: Searches for Extremely J. T. Le Page “The Transfer of Energy R. Hubbard “Solid-state Single-photon High Redshift Galaxies” Between Electrons and Ions in Solids” Sources: Quantum Dots and the Supervisor: Prof S J Warren Supervisor: Prof W M C Foulkes Nitrogen-Vacancy Centre in Diamond” E. Hopewell “Investigations of Massive Supervisor: Prof R Murray A. Sorouri Khorashad “Investigation of Stars in the Disk of the Milky Way with the the Exchange Energy Density Functional” T. W. S. Ishwara “Optimisation of Hybrid UK Schmidt H-alpha Survey” Supervisor: Prof W M C Foulkes Organic/ Inorganic Solar Cells” Supervisors: Prof J E Drew & Dr Y Unruh Supervisor: Prof J Nelson M. Skelly “Doppler Imaging, Differential Experimental Solid State Physics A-V. Jausovec “Using Shape to Control Rotation and H¿ Emission of Pre-Main H. Amrania “Ultrafast Mid Infrared the Magnetization Reversal in Sequence Stars” Spectroscopic Imaging for Biomedical Ferromagnetic Nanostructures” Supervisor: Dr Y Unruh Applications” Supervisor: Prof R P Cowburn M. Trichas “Multi-Wavelength Surveys Supervisor: Prof C C Phillips R. Jin “Investigating the Operating of SWIRE Populations” S. J. Barker “Characterisation of MBE- Mechanisms of Polymer Light Emitting Supervisor: Prof M Rowan-Robinson Grown GA(IN)NAS Heterostructures Diodes.” L. Wang “Large-scale structures from Supervisors: Prof G Parry / Dr P N Supervisors: Dr J C De Mello infrared surveys” Stavrinou / Prof T Jones (Chemistry) (Chemistry) /Prof D D C Bradley Supervisor: Prof M Rowan-Robinson S. Y. Chiam “Yttrium Based Thin Films D. Johnson “Photon Recycling Effects J. A. Zuntz “Cosmic Microwave Back- on Si (001): Study of Film Growth and in Strain-balanced Quantum Well Solar ground Power Spectra Estimation and Interfacial Properties” Cells.” Prediction with Curious Methods and Supervisor: Prof J Zhang Supervisor: Prof K W J Barnham Theories” D. Farrell “Characterising the perfor- J. J. Kwiatkowski “From molecules to Supervisor: Prof A H Jaffe mance of Luminescent Solar mobilities: modelling charge transport in Condensed Matter Theory Concentrators.” organic semiconductors.” Supervisors: Prof K W J Barnham / Prof Supervisor: Prof J Nelson A. G. Bailey “Computational Polymer G Parry P. Levermore “A Study of Poly (3,4- Dynamic” T. Ferenczi “A study of the relationship ethylenedioxythiophene) and Related Supervisor: Prof A P Sutton between microstructure and photo- Organic Light Emitting Device T. Duric “Ultra-Cold Quantum Gases in physics in organic semiconductor blends Applications” Optical Lattices” for solar cell applications” Supervisor: Prof D D C Bradley Supervisor: Dr D K K Lee Supervisor: Prof D D C Bradley M. Lumb “Quantum Dot Saturable O. Garcia Cantu Ros “Tunelling J. T. Gambari “Nonlinear Effects in Absorber Mirrors” Transport in Quantum Hall Bilayer Systems” Quantum Cascade Lasers” Supervisor: Prof R Murray Supervisor: Dr D K K Lee Supervisor: Prof C C Phillips

61 M. C. Lynch “Modelling and C. Rogers “Beam Dynamics in a J. C. Travers “Controlling Nonlinear Optimisation of Single Junction Strain Ionisation Cooling Channel” Optics with Dispersion in Photonic Balanced Quantum Well Solar Cells” Supervisors: Prof K R Long Crystal Fibres” Supervisor: Prof K W J Barnham Supervisor: Prof J R Taylor C-J. Tang “Detecting Cosmic F. Magnus “Electrical transport in hybrid Gravitational-Wave Background with Optics - Quantum Optics spintronic structures” LISA” and Laser Science Supervisor: Prof L F Cohen Supervisors: Prof T J Sumner H. Ashworth “Towards an improved M. Matthews “SSpectroscopy and I. Taylor “Development of T2K 280M measurement of the electron electric Photoconductivity Studies of near detector software for muon and dipole” Intersubband Mid-Infrared Detectors” photon reconstruction” Supervisor: Dr B Sauer Supervisor: Prof C C Phillips Supervisor: Prof D L Wark P. K. Bates “Optical Parametric Chirped A. J. A. McGlashon “Conjugated C. Thorne “Characterisation and Pulse Amplification in the few-cycle reactive liquid crystal materials for Calibration of ZEPLIN III - A Dark Matter regime” organic electronics” Detector” Supervisor: Dr R A Smith & Dr I N Ross Supervisors: Prof A Campbell & Prof D Supervisors: Prof T J Sumner (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory) DC Bradley C. Timlin “Early Physics at the LHC F. G. S. L. Brandao “Entanglement G. McPhee “Surface-bound Plasmonic using the CMS Electromagnetic theory and the quantum simulation of and Leaky Electromagnetic Modes of Calorimeter” many-body physics” Metal-Dielectric Structures.” Supervisor: Prof G Hall Supervisor: Prof M B Plenio Supervisors: Dr P N Stavrinou / Prof D M. Wingham “Commissioning of the M. J. Brownnutt “88Sr+ Ion Trapping DC Bradley CMS tracker and preparing for early Techniques and Technologies for P. D. Spencer “Quantum Dot Bilayer physics at the LHC” Quantum Information Processing” Laser Devices” Supervisor: Prof G Hall Supervisor: Prof R C Thompson Supervisor: Prof R Murray Optics - Photonics L. E. Chipperfield “High Harmonic R. J. Steed “Saturation of Intersubband Generation with Few-Cycle Pulses” E. Auksorius “Super-resolution and Transitions in P-type and N-type III-V Supervisors: Prof P L Knight & Prof J P multidimensional fluorescence imaging Quantum Wells” Marangos exploiting supercontinuum and ultrafast Supervisor: Prof C C Phillips laser technology” D. Crick “Manipulation of Ca+ ions in S. G. Turner “Strain relaxation mecha- Supervisors:Prof P M W French / Prof M Penning Traps” nisms and stress balancing of SiGe A A Neil Supervisor: Dr D M Segal heterostructures” P. A. De Beule “Development of Multi- O. C. O. Dahlsten “Typical Supervisor: Prof J Zhang Dimensional Fluorescence Entanglement: From the Abstract to the P. Woebkenberg “Thin-Film Transistors Instrumentation for Biomedical Physical” for Large Area Opto/Electronics” Applications” Supervisors: Prof M B Plenio Supervisors: Dr T D A Anthopolos / Prof Supervisors: Prof P M W French & Dr M R. Darnley “Electrodynamic Guiding DDC Bradley A A Neil and Deceleration of Polar Diatomic B. K. Yap “Study of the underlying A. Gogornas “Rigorous Electromagnetic Molecules” Processes that impact on Conjugated Calculations in Radiometry” Supervisor: Prof E A Hinds Polymer Device Stability and Efficiency” Supervisors: Dr P Török & Dr M W A. F. Feito Boirac “Tools and Methods Supervisor: Prof D D C Bradley McCall for the Distillation of Entanglement in High Energy Physics G-H. Ho “Multiplexed Optical Data Continuous Variable Quantum Optics” Storage - Writing Methods” Supervisor: Prof M B Plenio T. Blake “Ring Imaging Cherenkov Supervisor: Dr P Török Detectors and the Rare Decay Bd -> R. Fermani “Atomic relaxation K*0u+u- at LHCb” V. Poher “Microscopic imaging and processes near conducting and super- Supervisor: Prof D M Websdale photo-stimulation using micro-structured conducting surfaces” Light Emitting Diodes” Supervisors: Prof P L Knight & Dr S T. Christoudias “NSearch for the Supervisor: Dr M A A Neil & Prof P M W Scheel Standard Model Higgs boson in the French Missing Energy Topology with DZero.” D. Gross “Computational power of Supervisor: Dr G J Davies A. Rulkov “All-Fibre Lasers For quantum many-body states and some Nonlinear Wavelength Conversion” results on discrete phase spaces” K. Petridis “NSelection and Supervisor: Prof JR Taylor Supervisor: Dr J Eisert Reconstruction and of Z-->tau tau-- >e+tau jet decays at the Compact Muon D. Sauder “High Power Diode-Pumped N. A. M. Harrigan “Ontological Models Solenoid experiment.” Solid-State Laser Operation in the and Reference Frames in Quantum Supervisor: Dr D J Colling Bounce Amplifier Geometry” Mechanics” Supervisor: Prof M J Damzen Supervisors: Dr T J Rudoph & Prof M B S. L. Robinson “Neutral Plenio Supersymmetric Higgs Boson Searches G. R. Smith “Solid-state adaptive lasers at D0.” and amplified spontaneous emission M. Hohenberger “The Dynamics of Supervisors: Dr G J Davies & Dr Per sources” Strong Laser-Driven Shocks in Cluster Jonsson Supervisor: Prof M J Damzen Media” Supervisor: Prof R A Smith

62 J. Joo “Atomic and Optical Realizations C. Kamperidis “Investigation of electron I. R. Simpson “Solar influence on of Cluster Quantum Computation” laser wakefield acceleration in novel stratosphere-troposphere dynamical Supervisors: Prof P L Knight & Prof M B plasma structures” coupling” Plenio Supervisors: Dr Z Najmudin & Prof K M Supervisor: Prof J D Haigh Krushelnick K. Kieling “Linear optics quantum D. G. Smilie “Fourier Transform and computing - construction of small M. Lilley “Resonant interaction of fast Grating Spectroscopy of Doubly Ionised networks and asymptotic scaling of particles with Alfvén waves in spherical Transition Group Elements and resources” tokamaks” Astrophysical Applications” Supervisor: Dr J Eisert Supervisor: Dr M Coppins Supervisor: Dr J C Pickering I. Llorente Garcia “Advances in the A. Marocchino “Magnetohydrodynamic S. M. Smith “New techniques for atmos- design and operation of atom chips” Modelling of Supersonic Jets and pheric observation using a ground- Supervisor: Prof E A Hinds Colliding Blast Waves for Laboratory based thermal infrared camera” Astrophysics Investigation.” Supervisor: Prof R Toumi H. Ohadi “Single Ca+ Ions in a Peninng Supervisor: Dr J P Chittenden Trap for Applications in Quantum M. J. West “Energy Budget and Information Processing” A. Meakins “A Study of the L-H Dynamics of Coronal Reconnection” Supervisor: Dr D M Segal Transition in Tokamak Fusion Supervisor: Prof P J Cargill Experiments” S. Pugla “Ultrastable High-Finesse Theoretical Physics Supervisor: Dr M Coppins Cavities for Laser Frequency Stabilization” Y. Ghazi-Tabataba “Quantum Measure Supervisor: Dr D M Segal S. Nagel “Studies of Electron Theory: A New Interpretation” Acceleration Mechanisms in Relativistic S. B. P. Radnor “The Ultra-Wideband Supervisor: Dr H F Dowker Laser-Plasma Interactions” Pulse” Supervisors: Dr Z Najmudin /Prof KM A. Gustavsson “Entanglement, nonlin- Supervisor: Prof G H C New Krushelnick earity and constrained quantum F. Ramirez Martinez “Integration of dynamics” J. B. A. Palmer “Experimental Study of Optical Components and Magnetic Field Supervisors: Dr D C Brody/Prof J J Precursor Plasma Interaction with Sources in Atom Chips” Halliwell Cylindrical Foam Targets on the Axis of Supervisor: Prof E A Hinds Wire Array Z-pinches” A. Haupt “M-theory Calabi-Yau M. E. Reuter “Entanglement Properties Supervisors: Prof S V Lebedev & Dr J P Quantum Mechanics” of Strongly Correlated Spin Systems” Chittenden Supervisor: Prof K Stelle Supervisor: Prof M B Plenio C. P. Ridgers “Magnetic Fields and G. Nicholson “Reconstructing and R. Sewell “Matter Wave Interference on Non-Local Transport in Laser-Plasmas” Modelling the Primordial Power an Atom Chip” Supervisor: Dr R J Kingham Spectrum” Supervisor: Prof E A Hinds Supervisor: Dr C R Contaldi F. Suzuki Vidal “Experimental Study of S. Tokunaga “Production and Stark Radiatively Cooled Magnetically Driven P. Pires Pacheco “G-Structures and deceleration of cold lithium hydride Plasma Jets” Duality” molecules” Supervisor: Prof S V Lebedev Supervisor: Prof D J Waldram Supervisors: Dr MR Tarbut t/ Prof EA Hinds S. Tallents “TInvestigations of the J. O. Vicary “Results on categorical M. Trupke “Microcavities for atom chips” MAST SOL using the reciprocating quantum mechanic” Supervisor: Prof E A Hinds probe system” Supervisor: Prof C J Isham Supervisor: Dr M Coppins Plasma Physics S. Zohren “A Causal Perspective on Space and Atmospheric Physics Random Geometry” M. Bacharis “Theoretical Study of Dust Supervisor: Dr H F Dowker in RF Discharges and Tokamak Plasmas L. Billingham “Upstream Transients at Supervisor: Dr M Coppins Planetary Bow Shocks” MPhil Degree awarded in the Supervisor: Prof S J Schwartz Department in 2008 J. S. Bellei “Measurements of Optical Radiation from High-Intensity Laser- D. Blackie “Sulphur Dioxide: High Astrophysics Plasma Interactions” resolution UV photoabsorption cross Supervisor: Dr Z Najmudin sections at 198 K” P. Charitos “On the Circumstellar Origin Supervisor: Dr J C Pickering C. Chapman “Modelling the stability of of the HI Line Emission in the Spectrum the n=1 internal kink mode in tokamak C. H. Heaviside “Coupling of oceanic and of MWC 349A” plasmas” atmospheric heat transport in the tropics” Supervisor: Prof J E Drew Supervisor: Dr A C Czaja Supervisor: Dr M Coppins DIC Degree awarded in the J. S. Green “Studies of fast electron A. Masters “On the Outer Boundaries of Department in 2008 energy transport in high intensity laser- Saturn’s Magnetosphere” plasma interactions” Supervisor: Prof M K Dougherty / Dr N Space and Atmospheric Physics Supervisors: Dr Z Najmudin & Prof K M Achilleos E. S. Cunningham “Comparison of Krushelnick K. Osman “Multi-Spacecraft measurement Solar Forcing in the Upper Atmospheres of turbulence in the solar wind” W. A. Hornsby “Kinetic Simulation of of Earth and Titan” Plasma Transport in Magnetic Supervisors: Dr T S Horbury & Prof P J Cargill Supervisors: Dr M F Galand & Prof M K Turbulence” Dougherty Supervisor: Dr R J Kingham

63 Research Grants The following grants were initiated Engineering & Physical Sciences Engineering & Physical Sciences during 2008/9. Only PI Names are Research Council Research Council given Dr T Anthopoulos PhD Plus grant for Dr J-S Kim Heterojunction Solar Cells Paul Wobkenberg £95,000 £288,685 Astrophysics Engineering & Physical Sciences Kaust UK Ltd Science and Technology Facilities Research Council Dr R Maher Kaust Fellowship £45,231 Council Prof D Bradley, FRS Hybrid organic semiconductor/gallium nitride/CMOS Kaust UK Ltd Prof A Jaffe Post launch support of Dr R Maher Kaust Fellowship £49,895 Planck project at Imperial College London planar light-wave circuits £909,765 £831,882 Engineering & Physical Sciences The Leverhulme Trust Science and Technology Facilities Research Council Career Prof S Maier Better than silver: a Council Acceleration Fellowship low-loss metal for 21st century Prof A Jaffe Extragalactic Astrophysics Dr W Branford Defects in Frustrated photonics and computing £137,366 Systems £833,984 and Cosmology at Imperial College London European Office of Aerospace £1,693,787 Engineering & Physical Sciences Prof S Maier Far-field super- Science and Technology Facilities Research Council resolution mapping of localised surface Council Prof A D Caplin 6 months support for plasmons and nanoantennas £30,711 Prof K Nandra IC Astrophysics PATT Visting Fellow: Prof Yeshrun. Manipulation Linked Grant £34,898 and Control of Flux Dynamics in High Engineering & Physical Sciences Temperature Superconduictors and their Research Council Science and Technology Facilities Utilisation in Fluxonic Devices £39,782 Prof S Maier Silicon emission Council technologies based on nanocrystals Prof K Nandra XEUS bridging funds Engineering & Physical Sciences £442,341 £40,997 Research Council Prof L Cohen Extraordinary Engineering & Physical Sciences Condensed Matter Theory Magnetoresistance Nano Sensors Research Council fundamental issues and applications Prof S Maier Interfacing Carbon Commission of the European £509,010 Nanotubes with Nanoantennas for Simultaneous Multifunctional Communities Engineering & Physical Sciences Prof Sir J Pendry, FRS Photonic Spectroscopy and Electrical Research Council Nanocharacterisation £236,718 Metamaterials £204,153 Prof L Cohen Nanostructured European Office and Aerospace Functional Materials for Energy Efficient Engineering & Physical Sciences Research and Development Refrigeration, Energy Harvesting and Research Council Prof Sir J Pendry, FRS Metamaterials Production of Hydrogen from Water. Prof S Maier Uravelling energy and Transformation Optics £25,586 £1,000,655 transport in Plasmon waveguides using dual-probe near-field optical microscopy: The Royal Society The Leverhulme Trust A feasibility study £125,210 Prof Sir J Pendry, FRS Newton Prof L Cohen Defects in 2D International Fellowship for Dr Yonatan Frustrated Prototypen Spin Ice Systems EPSRC via Queen's University, Sivan £99,000 £187,689 Belfast Prof S Maier Active Plasmonics: Engineering & Physical Sciences Engineering & Physical Sciences Electronic and All-optical Control of Research Council Research Council Photonic Signals on Sub-wavelength Prof A P Sutton, FRS A centre for Prof L Cohen Inhomogeneous Scales £451,217 doctoral training on the theory and magnetism and Superconductivity simulation of materials £6,405,979 £98,622 Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council UCLA EU Commission Prof S Maier Aerogels in Fibre-Optics Prof D Vvedensky Development of a Prof L Cohen Solid Stae Energy £120,943 renormalization group approach to multi- Efficient Cooling £225,800 Engineering & Physical Sciences scale plasma physics computation The Toyota Motor Corporation (Phase II) £61,881 Research Council Dr N J Ekins-Daukes Analysis of Prof R Murray Strain engineered Advanced Concepts for High Efficiency Experimental Solid State Physics InAs/GaAs quantum dots for long Solar Cells Using Quantum wavelength emission £500,228 Nanostructures £189,872 Engineering & Physical Sciences EU Research Council Engineering & Physical Sciences Prof R Murray Hybrid organic- Dr T Anthopoulos Development of Research Council inorganic anostructures for photonics and Light-Sensing Organic Transistors for Dr J Kim Structure-Property-Performance optoelectronics £296,345 Optoelectronic and Image Sensor Array Relationship for Organic Bulk Application £562,042 Heterojunction Solar Cells £360,866 Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council Solvay SA Engineering & Physical Sciences Prof R Murray Spin Ping-Pong - Towards Dr T Anthopoulos Development of Research Council a Quantum Dot Bit. £1,101,073 Organic Field-Effect Transistors for Dr J Kim SUPERGEN Core plus Opto-Electronic Applications £125,000 supps 3 £285,510

64 EU Commission Science and Technology Facilities Optics - Photonics Prof R Murray Hybrid-Organic- Council Inorganic nanostrucgtures for Photonics Prof G J Davies Higgs DZero £218,498 Commission of the European and Optoelectronics: Icarus £296,346 Communities Science and Technology Facilities Dr C Dunsby Multimodal Skin Inspection Engineering & Physical Sciences Council with Hybrid Acoustic & Optical Research Council Dr U Egede Use of rare decay modes to Spectroscopic Imaging £1,423,896 Prof J Nelson High-efficiency Block probe for physics beyond the Standard Copolymer Solar Cells: A scaleable Model - Fellowship for Dr Mitesh Patel. The Royal Society Prototype for Low Cost Energy Generation £614,690 Dr C Dunsby Demonstration of £481,617 oblique plane microscopy for live cell Science and Technology Facilities imaging processes within microfluidic Engineering & Physical Sciences Council devices. £7,500 Research Council Dr U Egede Ganga Maintenance, Prof J Nelson High stability and Development and Support £114,655 Engineering & Physical Sciences high efficiency organic printable photo- Research Council voltaics (OPV) for large-scale energy Science and Technology Facilities Prof P French Endoscopic FLIM for prod £1,075,468 Council label-free tissue contrast £1,762,512 Prof G Hall Minimising R&D in The Carbon Trust preparation for an upgrade of CMS for The Leverhulme Trust Prof J Nelson Optimisation of organic the Super-LHC. £1,393,797 Prof P French Visiting grant for Prof. bulk heterojunction solar cells £54,400 Laura Marcu £19,900 Science and Technology Facilities The Royal Society Council BBSRC Prof J Nelson Wolfson Research Merit Prof K R Long UKNF/MICE-UK Prof P French Development of a Award £85,000 Programmes £1,056,342 super-resolving STED FLIM microscope for biological applications £148,282 Engineering & Physical Sciences Science and Technology Facilities Research Council Council Postdoctoral Fellowship Engineering & Physical Sciences Prof J Nelson Doctoral Training Dr A Magnan Development and Research Council Centre in Science and Application of testing of prototype sensors for a novel Prof P French Endoscopic FLIM for Plastic Electronic Materials £7,282,903 electromagnetic calorimeter for the inter- label-free tissue contrast £776,963 national linear collider £301,796 Engineering & Physical Sciences Engineering & Physical Sciences Commission of the European Research Council Research Council Communities Dr M McCall Covariant Techniques in Prof J Nelson SUPERGEN Core Prof J Nash Preparatory Phase of the Electromagnetism £11,159 plus supps 3 £136,184 Large Hadron Collider Upgrade £173,110 Engineering & Physical Sciences Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council Research Council Science and Technology Facilities Council Prof M McCall Covariant Techniques Prof C. Phillips Active plasmonics in Electromagnetism £6,404 and perfect lenses with quantum materials Prof J Nash The study of elementary £1,340,314 particles and their interactions £3,020,119 Commission of the European Communities The Royal Society Science and Technology Facilities Council Dr M Neil Network of Excellence for Dr C Sandeman Royal Society Biophotonics £181,958 Fellowship for Dr Karl Sandeman £86,005 Prof J Nash Extension of Jordan Nash's Buyout (re PPAN Chair) 1 year from 1 CEC Jul 09. £33,391 Dr C Paterson Complete polarisation- Dr C Sandeman Solid State Energy sensitive confocal scanning laser Efficient Cooling £230,345 Commission of the European Communities ophthalmoscope £217,680 Dr J Pozimski A High Intensity Neutrino High Energy Physics The Royal Society Oscillation Facility in Europe £613,598 Prof J R Taylor Brian Mercer Science and Technology Facilities Science and Technology Facilities Feasibility Award £30,000 Council Council Dr D Colling Modelling of Advanced Engineering & Physical Sciences Dr J Sedgbeer SuperNEMO demon- Research Council Functional Materials using Terascale strator module construction £325,515 Computing £50,000 Prof J R Taylor Visiting Fellowship for Science and Technology Facilities Prof. E.P. Ippen £33,583 Science and Technology Facilities Council Council Engineering & Physical Sciences Prof T J Sumner Subsystem Research Council Dr D Colling Grid PP2 extension and Development for the LISA Formulation Grid PP3 £263,100 Prof P Török Quantum limits of and Definition Phases £718,939 super-resolution in high-numerical- EU Commission Science and Technology Facilities aperture imaging tbc Dr D Colling EGEE III £168,246 Council EU Commission Science and Technology Facilities Prof D Wark T2K spokesperson £219,342 Prof P Török Super-Resolution Council Science and Technology Facilities Photonics for Advanced Storage Prof P Dauncey STFC Fellowshipfor Council Advanced Fellowship Systems: SURPASS £339,340 Magnan: Development and testing of Dr M Wascko Minimising Systematic Prototype Sensors for a Novel Uncertainties in the Determination of Electromagnetic Calorimeter for the Theta_13 at T2K £603,840 International Linear Collider £239,511

65 Plasma Physics AWE PLC Optics - Quantum Optics Prof S Rose and Laser Science Physics British Council Postdoctoral Fellowship in short-pulse Dr S Bland Development of a Portable laser-matter interaction theory and The Royal Society X-ray Laser for Probing High Energy modelling £339,687 Dr S Barrett Royal Society Fellowship Density Physics Experiments £30,412 for Dr Sean Barrett £595,118 AWE PLC AWE PLC Prof S Rose Engineering & Physical Sciences Dr J Chittenden Fast ions and alpha Institute of Shock Physics - Governing the Research Council Postdoctoral particles in inertial confinement. (Shaun enhancement of the UKs Hydrodynamic Fellowship Taylor PhD Studentship) £159,658 Science Capability £5,080,241 Dr F Brandao Thermodynamical formulation of entanglement theory and Engineering & Physical Sciences AWE PLC quantum simulations of many-body Research Council Prof S Rose I SP - Cranfield subcontract systems £304,705 Dr M Coppins Theory and simulation of £8,333,237 dust transport in Tokamaks £452,066 Engineering & Physical Sciences AWE PLC Research Council Postdoctoral Engineering & Physical Sciences Prof S Rose PhD studentship 1 for Fellowship Research Council Cranfield sub-contract to the Institute of Dr D Burgarth Thermalisation & Prof R Evans Multi-scale simulation of Shock Physics £80,003 Controllability of Quantum Systems intense laser plasma interactions £382,284 AWE PLC £313,017 AWE PLC Prof S Rose In situ study of phonons and Engineering & Physical Sciences Prof R Evans Centre for Inertial Fusion melting in metals under extreme high-P, T Research Council Science £485,857 conditions £123,935 Prof L Frasinski Dynamic Imaging of Engineering & Physical Sciences AWE PLC Matter at the Attosecond and Angstrom Research Council Prof S Rose Fast Ab initio theoretical Scales £98,337 Prof S Lebedev Re-creating physics of study of phonons in metals and alloys under Commission of the European astrophysical jets in laboratory experi- extreme high P,T conditions. £30,043 Communities ments £2,221,148 AWE PLC Prof E Hinds, FRS Nano-Optics for EU Prof S Rose AWE postdoc fellowship Molecules on Chip £369,109 Prof S Lebedev Re-creating the physics in short-pulse laser-matter interaction The Royal Society of astrophysical jets in laboratory experi- theory and modelling Prof E Hinds, FRS Trapping molecules ments £36,000 £286,780 on a chip: Towards fundamental AWE PLC AWE PLC measurements £12,000 Prof S Lebedev Use of multi-mega Prof S Rose Institute of Shock Physics Engineering & Physical Sciences ampere currents to drive matter into - 4 year funding: Cranfield sub project Research Council extreme states - J Skidmore studentship £833,237 Prof E. Hinds, FRS Heavy mol £140,120 AWE PLC Production of Cold, Heavy Molecules at Engineering & Physical Sciences Prof S Rose Institutute of Shock Rest. £555,840 Research Council Physics UCL Sub-contract £780,499 Engineering & Physical Sciences Prof S Lebedev Re-creating the AWE PLC Research Council physics of astrophysical jets in Prof Sir P. L. Knight, FRS Developing laboratory experiments £1,901,807 Prof S Rose Inertial Fusion Science Centre (CIFS) £485,857 Coherent States as a resource in AWE PLC Quantum technology £223,209 Prof S Lebedev Studentship for Guy AWE PLC Prof S Rose Cranfield studentship - Engineering & Physical Sciences Burdiak - Study of pulsed power driven Research Council jets as a kinetic driver for strong shock Shock Propagation in Complex Laminate Systems £80,003 Prof Sir P. L. Knight, FRS Chair of experiments Science Board £20,700 £135,472 AWE PLC Prof S Rose AWE PhD studentship - Engineering & Physical Sciences University of Rochester Research Council Prof S Lebedev Resolving the Issue: Fast ions and alpha particles in Inertial Confinement Fusion plasmas Prof Sir P. L. Knight, FRS Knowledge The dynamics of magnetized astro- Transfer Secondments 1 £1,129,493 physical jets through pulsed power £159,658 HEDP laboratory studies £153,656 AWE PLC Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council The Royal Society Prof S Rose PhD Studentship: Development of Diagnostics to study the Prof J Marangos Theory of electronic Dr S Mangles High-Repetion-Rate processes in molecules subject to Relativistic Electron Beams and Soft X- Mechanisms and Kinetics of Shock Induced Phase Transformations in KCl intense X.Ray radiation: Towards single- rays from an Ultrashort Low Energy molecule X-ray diffraction spectroscopy - Laser System. £50,000 and other Dielectric Materials leading to improved Diagnostic Capability in Shock Fellowship for Dr Vitali Averbukh AWE PLC Temperature Measurements £93,094 £871,934 Dr W Proud ISP PhD studentship for Will EU Commission Neal £50,000 Science and Technology Facilities Council Prof J Marangos Ultrafast control of Science and Technology Facilities Dr A Schekochihin “Turbulence, quantum systems by strong laser fields Council plasma instabilities, transport and £292,178 Prof S Rose Collaboration Agreement for magnetogenesis in clusters of galaxies” HiPER (Technical Work) £116,844 £400,844

66 Engineering & Physical Sciences The Royal Society Science and Technology Facilities Research Council Dr M Tarbutt University Research Council Prof J Marangos IR-FEL/XUV HHG Fellowship Scheme £375,446 Prof J. Harries National Centre for Hybrid Experiments for Molecular Earth Observation £254,889 Science £131,309 Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council Science and Technology Facilities AXA SA- AXA Research Fund Dr M Tarbutt PhD Plus grant for Council Prof M Plenio Studentship from the Sean Tokunaga £97,700 Dr T Horbury Magnetic Reconnection AXA Foundation for Javier Cerillo as a Universal Plasma Process: £99,231 Engineering & Physical Sciences Investigating Onset, Energy Release Research Council and Particle Acceleration - Fellowship Commission of the European Dr M. Tarbutt Cooling and Trapping for Dr Jonathan Eastwood. £581,040 Communities Polar Molecules £307,517 Prof M Plenio Correlated Noise Effects in Science and Technology Facilities Quantum Information Processing Engineering & Physical Sciences Council £175,493 Research Council Dr T Horbury Solar orbiter magne- P rof J. Tisch Next generation tometer - thermal and management Engineering & Physical Sciences attosecond technology (Translation Grant) £66,193 Research Council £996,356 Prof M Plenio Controlled Quantum Science and Technology Facilities Dynamics - The CQD-DTC £6,715,420 Space and Atmospheric Physics Council Dr T. Horbury Magnetic Reconnection Engineering & Physical Sciences European Space Agency as a Universal Plasma Process: Research Council Dr H Brindley SIT: Sensitivity study of Investigating Onset, Energy Release and Prof M Plenio Developing nanopho- the influence of a target spectral Particle Acceleration - Fellowship for Dr tonics for quantum coherence and control signature in the unfiltering process for Jonathan Eastwood £464,832 (fellowship for Dr Mark Tame). £301,939 broadband radiometers. £42,222 Science and Technology Facilities AXA SA Science and Technology Facilities Council Prof M Plenio AXA Studentship - Council Mr S. Kellock GERB Calibration Quantum Information £99,231 Dr H Brindley Appraising the direct (extension) £191,596 Engineering & Physical Sciences impacts of aerosol on climate (ADIENT) £65,994 European Space Agency Research Council Dr E Lucek Extension - Technical Prof M. Plenio Thermodynamical Science and Technology Facilities Assistance for FGM Instrument in Formulation of Entanglement Theory Council Support of the CLUSTER mission and Qauntum Simulations of Many-Body Mr C Carr Post-Launch Support for the £98,435 Systems: Postdoctoral Fellowship - F Venus Express Magnetometer Instrument Brandao £239,607 £43,085 Science and Technology Facilities Council Engineering & Physical Sciences Science and Technology Facilities Dr E Lucek Post-launch support for Research Council Council Cluster FGM £232,811 Prof M. Plenio Fellowship: Thermalisation Mr C Carr Rosetta Post Launch & Controllability of Quantum Systems: Support £250,649 Science and Technology Facilities Fellowship for D Burgarth £246,992 Council Natural Environment Research Dr E Lucek Cluster FGM EU Commission Council Operations and Calibration £110,262 Prof M. Plenio Hybrid Information Dr A Czaja RAPID - RAPIT £90,332 Processing £233,948 Science and Technology Facilities Thales Alenia Space Italia Engineering & Physical Sciences Council Dr I Mueller-Wodarg Radio science Research Council Prof M Dougherty Short Term Funding experiments with on-board receivers Dr T Rudolph Foundations of £18,349 £18,526 Quantum Information Processing Science and Technology Facilities £434,667 Science and Technology Facilities Council Council Engineering & Physical Sciences Prof M. Dougherty Europa Ganymede Dr I Mueller-Wodarg Titan's upper Research Council £35,322 atmosphere and its coupling to Saturn's Dr T Rudolph Foundations of magnetosphere £4,000 Natural Environment Research Quantum Information Processing Science and Technology Facilities £443,284 Council Prof J Haigh Impact of the represen- Council National Physical Laboratory tation of ozone on tropospheric weather Dr J Pickering New atomic and Dr B Sauer Studentship £81,224 forecasts £330,572 molecular data for astrophysics applica- tions £236,822 Engineering & Physical Sciences Natural Environment Research The Leverhulme Trust Research Council Council Dr S Scheel Macroscopic bodies - a Dr J Pickering Laboratory Prof J Harries Preliminary Feasibility spectroscopy with applications to novel ingredient in the quantum and Sensitivity Studies for CLARREO engineering box £346,093 ancient Earth-atmosphere studies £59,584 £94,090 Engineering & Physical Sciences CCLRC Research Council Prof J Harries / Dr S Kellock An Science and Technology Facilities Prof R Smith Transient high energy accurate in-flight calibration of the Council density plasmas driven by few cycle laser GERB instrument £191,596 Prof S Schwartz Cluster Science pulses £177,870 Centre Extended Mission £131,224

67 Science and Technology Facilities Engineering & Physical Sciences Council Research Council Postdoctoral Prof S Schwartz Cross-Scale Bridging Fellowship Support for UK Study Activities £4,847 Dr J Sonner Geometric Phases in String Theory £300,024 Science and Technology Facilities Council Engineering & Physical Sciences Prof S Schwartz ExoMars Magnetometry Research Council support for PDR phase £36,166 Prof A Tseytlin Supergravity and field theory solutions in AdS/CFT correspon- Science and Technology Facilities dence (Fellowship for Dr Aristomenis Council Donos). £307,191 Prof S Schwartz MAG and DATA Assessment studies £17,708 Foundational questions Institute Dr A Valentini H idden Variables in Science and Technology Facilities the Early Universe £56,924 Council Prof S Schwartz MAG and DATA Engineering & Physical Sciences Assessment studies £35,414 Research Council Dr T Wiseman Black holes in higher A XA SA- AXA Research Fund dimensions - fellowship for Dr James Prof R Toumi Studentship from the Lucietti £558,728 AXA Foundation for Rebecca White £99,231 Natural Environment Research Council Prof R Toumi Aerosols in London Experiment on Radiative Transfer (ALERT) £475,863 AXA SA- AXA Research Fund Prof R Toumi Extreme Rainfall - AXA Studentship £99,231 NERC via AEA Technology plcl Prof R Toumi Knowledge Exchange Fellowship £37,263 Theoretical Physics Science and Technology Facilities Council Prof M Duff “Black Holes and the AdS/CFT Correspondence - Fellowship for Linda Uruchurtu-Gomez.” £295,018 The Royal Society Dr A Hanany “Wolfson Merit Award” £125,000 Science and Technology Facilities Council Prof C Hull “M-Theory, Cosmology and Quantum Field Theory” £3,391,081 Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council Prof C Isham Topos Quantum Theory and Gravity £318,801 Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council Prof C Isham Topos Quantum Theory and Gravity £315,418 Science and Technology Facilities Council Dr A Rej Integrability and AdS/CFT correspondence £292,197 Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship Dr R Ricci Wilson Loops in Gauge and String Theories £303,208

68 Technical Development, Intellectual Property and Commercial Interactions

The past twelve months has been to the next generation of technologies. The group also benefits from collab- extremely active and the Department These include the theoretical devel- orations with the NPL at Teddington. has developed a further range of opment of metamaterials to create commercial interactions. One of the perfect lenses to beat the diffraction The group also has strong record of Faculty “Proof of Principle” (PoP) limit and to make objects invisible, protecting intellectual property and projects funded in 2004 has rapidly simulating radiation damage in exploiting through spinout companies. moved towards commercialization materials for fusion and fission reactors, The spinout companies bring research with the formation of the company modelling surfaces and grain bound- income back into the group by Midaz Lasers Ltd (see Photonics). aries in perovskites for functional sponsoring staff, PhD students and We are looking forward to the Faculty devices, devising coarse grained research activities. maintaining this source of funding as methods of simulating polymers at a major stimulator for new inventors the molecular level to simulate their Spin out companies include: to come forward and make a start on bulk mechanical properties and Ingenia Technology, which is active commercializing their innovation. those of polymer nanocomposites, in the area of brand protection and Overall the interactions in the and the fundamental description of industrial track-and-trace and has Department are extremely healthy the growth of thin films and quantum recently licensed its Laser Surface and existing spin out companies are dots for optoelectronic applications. Authentication technology to a major buoyant. We collaborate with the international fast-moving-consumer- commercial sector at all levels and The Group enjoys close working goods company. of course PhD students within the relationships with the UK Atomic Energy Molecular Vision Ltd., which is Department benefit from direct Authority, Accelrys, BAE, NumerEX developing microanalysis systems industrial sponsorship and EPSRC (Ithaca NY), Pilkington Glass, Astron for medical diagnostics based on CASE awards. and Antenova and holds several molecular electronic materials group. patents. Further developments in the molecular Our technology developments and electronics field are anticipated commercial activities include the Experimental Solid State Physics through the C-Change partnership. following: The Experimental Solid State Physics Durham Magneto Optics Ltd., who Group develops technologies across produce diagnostic equipment for Astrophysics a broad range of areas which have magnetic characterisation. Both the Herschel and Planck teams impact on the information and QuantaSol Ltd., who are exploiting continue the development of data communications technologies sector, quantum well nano-structures to reduction and analysis software for the solar energy sector, and the enhance solar energy efficiencies these two missions. For Planck our health care and security sectors. above 35% for concentrator applica- work is aimed at the determination Details of the innovations are tions for concentrator applications. of beam shapes and focal plane described in the appropriate pages QuantaSol was highlighted as one geometry from actual survey data of this Review but they depend of the Guardian Cleantech Top 100 using either scans across individual broadly on advances in the following companies for 2008 and is currently bright sources or through combination technologies: molecular electronic supporting a lecturer and a of data on large numbers of fainter materials and devices, inorganic postgraduate student in the. sources. This work is crucial to the semiconductor materials and devices, science goals of the Planck mission. nano-magnetism and spintronics In the area of magnetic cooling, For Herschel we are coordinating the devices, and superconducting materials industrial partnership has been development of data reduction and and devices. Much of the work in strengthened over the last year, by analysis software for the whole of the the group proceeds through collabo- the partnership with large material SPIRE instrument and have special rative research programmes frequently producer Vacuumshmelze and an responsibility for mapmaking codes involving industrial partners. end use manufacturer Clivet. They through a contract from the European Industrial partners may contribute to are partners in a FP7 project to Space Agency which will be used for the research programmes directly, or develop a magnetically-driven air both the SPIRE and PACS instruments. provide specialised materials or conditioner. Secondly, that project processing facilities, or support also involves Camfridge Ltd., a Condensed Matter Theory students or postdoctoral researchers. Cambridge-based spin out that is The group has a wide-ranging research Leading international companies that linked to EXSS and IC through the portfolio with a strategic focus on have supported our work include BP same project as well as through materials for structural, electronic Solar, Merck, DuPont Teijin Films, Camfridge's past use of the Carbon and photonic applications, providing Sumitomo Chemical Co., Philips Trust Incubator within Imperial theoretical and computational expertise. Research Labs., Konarka, Solenne Innovations. Many projects have direct relevance B.V.,Toyota, Plextronics and Qinetiq.

69 High Energy Physics of Laser Engineering (University of decelerators, and with Shimadzu The dark matter experimental part of Osaka), the US Naval Research Research Laboratories (Europe) on the High Energy Physics group is Laboratory and the Lawrence the development of novel THz detectors dedicated to the development of Livermore National Laboratory. which has recently resulted in a joint advanced particle detectors for 1- patent. 100 keV energies and associated Laser Consortium technology (high precision ultra-high Our technology is associated with There are ongoing collaborations with vacuum technology in copper, part- developing high intensity and ultra the National Physical Laboratory per-billion level gas purification, short laser pulses. Theoretical (NPL) on ion trapping and the devel- charge/light readout technologies, descriptions of the effect of these opment of ultra-stable lasers. This cryogenics). A joint development intense fields have led to technology includes supervision of students funded programme has being undertaken that can be used to produce micro- by the NPL who carry out most of with UK-based ET Enterprises Ltd scopic optical structures by laser their experimental work there, but who (formerly Electron Tubes Ltd) to induced modification (through multi- are registered as students at Imperial develop a photomultiplier tube with photon ionisation) of media. The College. The Quantum Information ultra-low radioactive background. attosecond basic technology Theory sub group has close links with This work is in its final stages and programme promises to open up new a number of companies including HP. promises to deliver the world’s most fields of ultra high time resolution All optical quantum information radio-pure phototube, which will find measurement in surface science etc. protocols have been developed and world-wide application in large Technology recently developed as work is on-going with the UltraFast experiments for neutrino detection, part of this project has been spun out Group at the Clarendon in Oxford on dark matter searches, and neutrino- and a second custom system for the realization of demonstrators of less double-beta decay. The under- hollow fibre pulse compression to these protocols. ground laboratory at Boulby is now generate 10 fs pulses has been in its 17th year as a symbiotic delivered to RAL under contract. A Photonics relationship between industry (CPL broadband phase shaper for high In the Photonics group, most of our mine) and university research. The intensity laser pulses is also in the projects are interdisciplinary and we gravitational-wave project drives process of being patented. work closely with industry. Direct charge control systems and Plasmas produced by interaction of support for research into high associated technology (UV light short pulse lasers with sub throughput and multidimensional sources, particle guns, satellite wavelength clusters and micron- fluorescence imaging, particularly instrumentation). For this work the scale objects are a promising source fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) group collaborates with EADS for x-ray generation at lithographi- has come from Perkin Elmer Life (Astrium UK, Astrium Germany), cally important wave-lengths. They and Analytical Sciences (UK) Ltd Carlo Gavazzi Space (Italy), ETL, also produce high energy density and GE Healthcare. ‘In kind’ support the European Space Agency, SciSys plasmas of interest for the testing of has come from AstraZeneca UK Ltd, and SEA. numerical codes. Blast waves in GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Kentech extended cluster media can be used Instruments Ltd, Leica Microsystems Plasma Physics to model astrophysical and other (UK) Ltd, Olympus Optical Co UK The Group is engaged in work involving strongly driven systems and produce Ltd. We also have a founding the development of the technology high quality data useful in the interest in Aurox Ltd, a spin-out from of high-voltage pulsed power and benchmarking of complex radiation Oxford University manufacturing high-power lasers. Our work using hydrocodes. We have an active optical microscopy equipment. Our high-power lasers has led to devel- collaboration with AWE including fibre laser programme addresses opments in the field of 'compact' funding, personnel exchange and wavelength and pulse length plasma-based particle accelerators equipment loan. versatile, all-fibre configurations with many potential technological primarily deploying MOPFA (Master (including medical) applications. We Quantum Optics and Laser Oscillator Power Fibre Amplifier) also investigate dusty plasmas, an Science technology including development of understanding of which is important, The Group applies cutting edge laser versatile compact seed sources, to for example, in integrated circuit technology and detailed numerical generate high average power, manufacture. modeling to a broad range of measure- spectrally bright single mode We collaborate with many companies ment and control problems in basic sources. The Group has long- and organisations that provide support physics research. The Centre for Cold standing collaboration and support for our activities. These include Matter has an ongoing collaboration with from the IPG Group of Companies UKAEA Culham, the Rutherford the K. J. Lesker company investigating Direct support in the area of high Appleton Laboratory, AWE Aldermaston transparent conductive films for power lasers and nonlinear optics plc, Sandia National Laboratory, the polymers. There are also links with has come from the Electro-Magnetic Laboratory for Laser Energetics PG Technology (Precision machining Remote Sensing (EMRS) Defence (University of Rochester), the Institute company) on design of molecular Technology Centre, established by

70 the UK Ministry of Defence and run Research Training Network by an industrial consortium of GLADNET we are also studying the SELEX Sensors and Airborne characteristics of Glow Discharges, Systems, Thales Defence, Roke used as an analytical method in Manor Research and Filtronic. This industrial applications for example in involves novel adaptive sensors and quality testing of thin coatings. laser sources for enhancing signal and information retrieval in complex Theoretical Physics remote sensing scenarios. Pilkington The dominant part of the Group's Optronics (now Thales) have activities lie in constructing theories supported CASE awards and ‘in of the fundamental nature of the kind’ support has come from Shell universe. However, subsidiary activ- Research Labs, Spectra-Physics ities of the group may lead to novel and Spectron Laser Systems. applications of superconducting devices (through the continuation of A spin-out company, Midaz Lasers work begun under the ESF COSLAB Ltd., was formed in 2006 based on Programme) or have implications for breakthrough laser technology. The the modelling of innovation and company has capabilities to produce industrial activity (through work a wide class of innovative laser begun under the EU ISCOM solutions based on platform Network). In a different context technology with offerings to a wide students in the group have range of market sectors. Laser developed various database products are particularly suited to algorithms and have formed a enabling superior and faster company to exploit these ideas, manufacturing in large-scale high aided latterly by a staff member. tech industrial applications based on high power laser products. The The dominant part of the Group's technology also has excellent activities lie in constructing theories potential for massive price reduction of the fundamental nature of the over existing laser technology that universe. However, subsidiary activ- will allow entry into markets with ities of the group may lead to novel high value that were previously applications of superconducting unavailable to laser technology. devices (through the continuation of Technology patents are in place and work begun under the ESF COSLAB a strong management team has Programme) or have implications for been assembled. the modelling of innovation and industrial activity (through work Space and Atmospheric Physics begun under the EU ISCOM The group has a long history of Network). In a different context leading magnetometer instruments students in the group have for space research. Our continued developed various database collaboration with Ultra Electronics algorithms and have formed a Ltd has resulted in a new fluxgate company to exploit these ideas, design which at 100g is half the aided latterly by a staff member. mass of any sensor we have previ- ously flow in space. We completed a collaboration with EADS Astrium, MSSL (UCL) and SciSys Ltd to validate new data-handling architec- tures for future small satellites where processing power and resources will need to be shared amongst many users. We have also completed a first stage of testing new, commercially available, solid- state Magnetoresistive sensors, with promising results.

As part of an EU Marie Curie

71 Academic Staff Professors Prof. , BA, DPhil, FRS Prof. Michael Rowan-Robinson, BA, Quantum Optics PhD, FInstP, FRAS Prof. Donal Bradley, BSc, PhD, ARCS, Astrophysics FRSA, CPhys, FInstP, FRS Prof. Christopher Hull, BA, PhD, FInstP (Lee-Lucas Professor of) Experimental Physics Prof. Steven Schwartz, BSc, PhD Space and Atmospheric Physics Physics Prof. Misha Ivanov, MSc, PhD Prof Kim Christensen, PhD Physics Prof. Robin Smith, MA, PhD, DIC Physics Theoretical Physics Prof. Andrew Jaffe, BS, MS, PhD, MInstP, Prof Lesley Cohen, BSc, PhD FRAS Prof. Roland Smith, BSc, PhD Solid State Physics Astrophysics and Cosmology Laser Physics

Prof. Russell Cowburn, MA, PhD Prof. Sir Peter Knight, BSc, DPhil, FRS Prof. Kellogg Stelle, AB, PhD, FInstP Nanotechnology Quantum Optics Theoretical Physics

Prof. , BA, MA, PhD Prof. Sergey Lebedev, MS, PhD, FInstP, Prof. Timothy Sumner, BSc, DPhil, Plasma Physics F.APS CPhys, FInstP, FRAS Plasma Physics Experimental Astrophysics Prof. Christopher Dainty, PhD Applied Optics Prof. Kenneth Long, BSc, DPhil Prof. Adrian Sutton, BA, MSc, PhD, FRS Experimental Particle Physics Nanotechnology Prof. Michael Damzen, PhD Experimental Laser Physics Prof. Angus Mackinnon, PhD Prof. Roy Taylor, BSc, PhD Physics Ultrafast Physics and Technology Prof. Paul Dauncey, BA, DPhil Particle Physics Prof. Joao Magueijo, BA, PhD Prof. Richard Thompson, MA, DPhil Physics Physics Prof. Peter Dornan, BA, PhD, FRS Experimental Particle Physics Prof. Stefan Maier, PhD Prof. John Tisch, BSc, PhD Nanophotonics Laser Physics Prof. , BSc, PhD Space Physics Prof. Jonathan Marangos, PhD, ARCS, Prof. Peter Török, DPhil, DSc DIC (Lockyer Chair) Optical Physics Prof. Michael Duff, BSc, PhD, DIC, FInstP Laser Physics Theoretical Physics Prof. Ralf Toumi, BSc, PhD, ARCS Prof. Martin McCall, PhD Atmospheric Physics Prof. Roger Evans, BSc, PhD, FInstP Theoretical Optics Physics Prof. Arkady Tseytlin, MS, PhD Prof. Raymond Murray, BSc, PhD Physics Prof. Michael Finnis, BSc, PhD Solid State Physics Materials Theory and Simulation Prof. , PhD Prof. Kirpal Nandra, BA, PhD, FRAS Physics Prof. Matthew Foulkes, PhD Astrophysics Physics Prof. Dimitri Vvedensky, PhD Prof. Jordan Nash, BSc, PhD Theoretical Solid State Physics Prof. Leszek Frasinski, MSc, PhD, FInstP Physics Atomic and Molecular Physics Prof. Daniel Waldram, BA, MA, PhD Prof Mark Neil, BA, MA, PhD Theoretical Physics Prof. Paul French, PhD Physics Physics Prof. David Wark, BSc, MS, PhD, FRS Prof. Jenny Nelson, BA, PhD Physics Prof. Jerome Gauntlett, BSc, PhD,FInstP Physics Physics Prof. Stephen Warren, MA, PhD Prof. Geoffrey New, MA, DPhil Astrophysics Prof. Andrey Golutvin, PhD, Nonlinear Optics Physics Prof. Jing Zhang, BSc, PhD, DIC, ARCS Prof. Sir John Pendry, MA, PhD, FRS Physics Prof. Joanna Haigh, MA, MSc, DPhil, Theoretical Solid State Physics FInstP, FRMets Readers Atmospheric Physics Prof. Christopher Phillips, MA, PhD, Dr Carlo Contaldi, MSci, PhD DIC, CSci, CPhys, FInstP Prof. Geoffrey Hall, BSc, PhD, DIC, ARCS Physics Dr Jeremy Chittenden, BSc, PhD, DIC, Physics CPhys, MInstP Prof. Martin Plenio, PhD (Dr. rer. nat) Dr Gavin Davies, BSc, PhD, DIC, FRAS Prof. Jonathan Halliwell, BSc, PhD, Physics Physics Dr Fay Dowker, BA, MA, PhD, FInstP Prof. Steven Rose, BA, DPhil, CPhys, FInstP Dr Ulrik Egede, BSc, PhD Prof. John Harries, BSc, PhD, CPhys, Plasma Physics FInstP, FRMets Dr Robert Forsyth, BSc, PhD Earth Observation

72 Dr Arnaud Czaja, PhD Dr Paul Tangney, BSc, PhD Dr Oisin Mac Conamhna Dr Constantinos Foudas, MA, MPhil, PhD Dr Roberto Trotta, PhD Dr Dario Martelli Prof Gareth Parry Dr Amihay Hanany, BA, PhD Dr Yoshiyuki Uchida, BA, PhD Dr Alex Retzker Dr John Hassard, BSc, PhD Dr Toby Wiseman, PhD Dr Konstantina Sawidou Dr Peter Haynes, BA, PhD Principal Research Fellows Dr Alexander Schekochihin Dr Stuart Solin Dr Timothy Horbury, BSc, PhD Dr Christopher Seez, PhD Dr Ingo Mueller-Wodarg, MSc, PhD Dr Bogdan Stefanski Dr David Mark Raymond, BSc, MSc, PhD Dr Wenyi Zhong Dr Zulfikar Najmudin, BA, PhD Dr Mike Wiltshire, PhD Honorary Associations Dr Carl Paterson, BA, PhD Research Fellows Dr Juliet Pickering, BA, MA, PhD, DIC Senior Research Investigators Dr Raymond Beuselinck, BSc, PhD Dr Sergei Popov, MSc, PhD Dr Jonathan Murray, PhD Emeritus Prof. Andre Balogh, MSc, DIC Dr William Proud, BSc, PhD, FlnstP, CPhys, CChem Dr Gary Perkins, PhD Emeritus Prof. Keith Barnham, PhD Dr Arttu Rajantie, BSc, MSc, PhD Dr Jacqueline Russell, BSc, PhD Emeritus Prof. David Caplin, MA, MSc, PhD Dr Terence Rudolph, PhD, BSc Dr Diana Shaul, BSc, PhD Emeritus Prof Peter Cargill, BSc, PhD Dr Benjamin Sauer, BA, PhD Dr Gabriela Slavcheva-Koleva, PhD Dr Jack Connor, BSc, PhD Dr Daniel Segal, BSc, PhD Dr Monika Voigt, Diplom, PhD Dr Aboubaker Dangor, BSc, DSc Dr Xuhua Wang, PhD Dr , BSc, PhD Senior Lecturers Advanced and Postdoctoral Fellows Dr John Gallop, BA, DPhil Dr Roy Burns, PhD Prof. Malcolm Haines, PhD, ARCS, FRCO, Dr Sean Barrett, PhD ARCM, FInstP Dr Alasdair Campbell, BSc, MSc, PhD Dr James Bedford, MA, PhD Emeritus Prof. Christopher Isham, BSc, PhD Dr Michael Coppins, BSc, ARCS, PhD, FInstP Dr Stephen Bradshaw, MPhys, PhD Dr Timothy Evans, BA, PhD Dr Hugh Jones, BA, PhD Dr Fernando Brandao, PhD Dr Derek Lee, BA, PhD Emeritus Prof. Bruce Joyce, DSc, FRS Dr Will Branford, MSc, PhD Dr Julia Sedgbeer, PhD, DIC Prof. Thomas Kibble, MA, PhD, FRS Dr Helen Brindley, BSc, PhD Dr Paul Stavrinou, BEng, PhD Prof. Elliot Leader, BSc, MS, PhD Dr Daniel Burgarth, PhD Dr Yvonne Unruh, MSc, PhD Emeritus Prof Raymond Rivers, BA, Dr Artistomenis Dono, PhD MA, PhD, FInstP Dr Kenneth Weir, BSc, PhD Dr David Futyan, BSc, PhD Dr Peter Sharp, BSc, PhD Senior Research Lecturer Dr Edward Grace, Msci, PhD, DIC Dr John Thompson, MA, PhD, Mr Christopher Carr, BSc Dr Jonathan Hays, BSc, MSc, PhD Distinguished Research Fellows Lecturers Dr Andrew Ho, BA, PhD Dr Trevor Bacon, BSc, PhD Dr Thomas Anthopoulos, BEng, PhD Dr Jonathan Hudson, MPhys, DPhil Emeritus Prof. David Binnie, BSc, PhD Dr Henrique Araujo, PhD Dr Sugata Kaviraji, PhD Emeritus Prof. Ian Butterworth, BSc, Dr James Kirkpatrick, MSci, PhD Dr Simon Bland, MSci, PhD PhD CBE, FRS Dr James Lucietti, PhD Dr Oliver Buchmueller, PhD Emeritus Prof Jean Patrick Connerade, Dr Amanda Chatten, BSc, PhD Dr Anne-Marie Magnan, PhD PhD, ARCS, DIC Dr David Clements, BSc, PhD, DIC Dr Stuart Mangles, MSci, PhD Emeritus Prof. Gareth Jones, BSc, PhD Dr David Colling, BSC, BA, PhD Dr Adam Rej, PhD Emeritus Prof. Gareth Parry, BSc, PhD, DIC, FREng Dr Christopher Dunsby, MSci, PhD Dr Riccardo Ricci, PhD PhD, FRAS Dr Ned Ekins-Daukes, MSci, MSc, PhD Dr Julian Sonner, PhD Emeritus Prof Peter Meikle, BSc, Dr Marina Galand, PhD Dr Michael Tarbutt, MPhys, DPhil Emeritus Prof. John Quenby, PhD, DIC, ARCS Dr Richard Jesik, BSc, MSc, PhD Dr Rim Turkmani, BSc, MSc, PhD Lady Anne Thorne, MA, DPhil Dr Ji-Seon Kim, PhD Dr Linda Uruchurtu-Gomez, PhD Emeritus Prof. David Websdale, PhD, Dr Morgan Wascko, BA, MS, PhD Dr Robert Kingham, BSc, PhD ARCS Dr Elizabeth Lucek, BSc, PhD Academic Leavers in 2008/9 Dr Subhanjoy Mohanty, PhD Honorary Research Fellows Dr Cesar Bertucci Dr Arash Mostofi, BA, MA, PhD Dr Stephen Bradshaw Mr David Price, MA, DIC Dr Jaroslaw Pasternak, PhD Dr William Cameron Dr Geoffrey Rochester, BSc, PhD Dr Jürgen Pozimski, BSc, MSc, PhD Dr James Connolly Dr Khadija Tahir,BSc, MSc, PhD Dr Karl Sandeman, PhD Dr Jens Eisert Mrs Prudence Wormell, BSc Dr Stefan Scheel, PhD (Dr. rer. nat.), Dipl.-Phys Dr Ravin Ginige Dr Patrick Koppenburg Dr Wenyi Zhong, MSc, PhD

73 Honorary Lecturers Prof. Sir Martin Rees, MA, PhD, FRS Dr Ana-Vanessa Jausovec Dr Peter Roberts, BSc, PhD Dr Leo Jenner Dr Almut Beige, BSc, PhD Dr Simon Jolly Prof. David Smith, PhD, ARCS Dr Ken Bignell, BSc, PhD, ARCS Dr Per Jonsson Dr Witold Chalupczak, MSc, PhD Prof. Nigel Smith, BSc, PhD Dr Georgia Karapostoli Dr Anne Curtis, PhD Prof. David Southwood, BA, PhD, DIC Dr Sugata Kaviraji PhD Dr Gianluca Gregori, Dr Michael Tatarakis, BSc, MSc, PhD Dr Panagiotis Keivanidis Dr Paul Hazell, BEng Prof Michael Thompson, MA, PhD Dr Gordon Kennedy Mr Edward Judd, HNC Dr Paul Kinsler Dr Roger Timmis, MSc, PhD Dr Alex Robinson, BA, MSc, PhD Dr James Kirkpatrick Dr Sherif Sherif, BSc, MS, PhD Dr Adrian Tuck, BSc, PhD Dr Ajit Kurup Prof. Ronald Winter, FInstP, PhD Dr Sam Ladak Honorary Technical Advisor Dr Elise Laird Mr Gilbert Satterthwaite, Visiting Readers Dr Renaud Lambiotte Honorary Schools Liaison Assistant Dr Myungshik Kim, BS, MSc, PhD Dr Laurent Lamy Mr Robert Airey, BSc Dr David Lara-Saucedo Dr Benedict Murdin, MSc, PhD Dr Isabel Llorente-Garcia Honorary Association Leavers in Research Associates Dr James Lucietti 2008/9 Dr Karl Lyons Prof David Cotter Dr Georges Adamopoulos Dr Barry MacEvoy Dr Alan Edmonds Dr Tiziano Agostinelli Dr Roderick Mackenzie Dr Marco Ghisoni Dr Hemmel Amrania Dr Anne-Marie Magnan Dr Ioannis Raptis Dr Marco Apolloni Dr Robert Maher Dr Elsa Arcaute Dr Matthew Malek Visiting Professors Dr Morteza Aslaninejad Dr Stuart Peter D Mangles Dr Alexandre Aubry Dr Anca Margineanu Prof. John Allen, MA, PhD, DSc Dr Egidijus Auksorius Dr Janusz Martyniak Prof. Michael Barnett, BSc, BA, PhD Dr Minas Bacharis Dr Daniel Mason Prof. Farhat Beg, PhD, MPhil, MSc, BSc Dr Robert Bainbridge Dr James McGinty Dr Jarlath McKenna Prof Anthony Bell, MA, PhD, MInstP, Dr Sarah Baker CPhys, FRAS Dr Sean Barrett Dr Jeremy Mitchell Dr James Moore Prof. Alain Blondel, DEA, PhD Dr Daniela Bauer Dr James Bedford Dr Angela Morties Dr , BSc, PhD Dr Claudio Belotti Dr Daniel Mortlock Dr Rip Collins, BS, PhD Dr Colin Belton Dr David Mulryne Dr William Dorland, BS, PhD, Dr George Bendo Dr Sabrina Nagel Dr Alexander Nikitenko Prof. Sergei Dudarev, BS, PhD Dr Sergio Benvenuti Dr Thomas Blake Dr Dimitri Novikov Dr Malcolm Dunlop, BSc, PhD Dr Matteo Bocchi Dr Robert Nyman Dr. Anthony Dunne, BSc, PhD, DIC, ARCS Mr Fernando Brandao Dr Daniel O’Dea Prof. , BA, PhD Dr Evgeny Buchbinder Dr Brian O’Halloran Dr , BSc, PhD Dr Stefan Buhmann Dr Stuart Paterson Dr Dorothee Petit Prof. Vladimir Fortov, MSc, PhD Dr Daniel Burgarth Dr Antoine Chamballu Dr Plamen G Petrov Prof. Patrick Gill, BSc, DPhil Dr Luke Chipperfield Dr Michele Pioppi Prof. Richard Harrison, PhD Dr Edmund Clarke Dr Duncan Rand Mr Robert Hastie, BSc, MSc, FInstP, F.APS Dr Joseph Cotter Dr Adrian Ratnapala Dr Daniel Read Prof. Timothy Hender, BSc, PhD Dr Jun Cui Dr Animesh Datta Dr Adam Rej Prof. Henry Hutchinson, BSc, PhD Dr Aristomenis Donos Dr Riccardo Ricci Prof. Gannady Kanel, PhD Dr Suresh Doravari Dr Christopher Ridgers Prof. Karl Krushelnick, BSc, MA, PhD Dr Daniel Farrell Dr Jesus Rogel-Salazar Prof. Michael Lockwood, PhD Dr Antonio Fernandez-Dominguez Dr Tyler Roschuk Dr Matthew Ruffoni Prof. Leon Lucy, BSc, PhD Dr Jonathan Fulcher Dr Edward Grace Dr James Rufus Dr. Louis Lyons, BSc, DPhil Dr Paul David Green Dr Matthew Ryan Dr Massimo Mazzer, PhD Dr Gareth Neville Hall Dr Tim Scanlon Prof. Vladimir Milyavskiy, MSc, PhD Dr Ullrich Hannemann Dr Markus Schulte Dr Peter Norreys, BSc, MSc, PhD Dr Richard James Hendricks Dr Mark Sherlock Dr Matthias Hohenberger Dr Yuri Shitov Prof. Bob Palmer, BSc, PhD Dr Oliver Markus Horn Dr Andrew Singleton Prof. Chris Rapley, BA, MSc, PhD Dr Jaesuk Hwang Dr Yannick Sonnefraud Prof. Sergey Razorenov, PhD Dr Caitroina Jackman Dr Julian Sonner

74 Dr Sarah Sparrow Dr Andreas Doering Research Assistants Dr Peter Spencer Dr Andres Doering Dr Markus Stoye Dr Andrzej Dragan Ms Alice Brown Dr Suren Sukiasyan Dr Paul Eastham Mr Lionel Chaudet Dr Francisco Suzuki-Vidal Dr Daniel Elson Miss Cora Cheung Dr Clifford Talbot Dr Rachele Fermani Ms Cecilia Flori Dr Alex Tapper Dr David Garcia-Alvarez Mr Omair Ghafur Dr Sean Tokunaga Dr Antonios Georgakakis Mr Adam Gilbertson Dr Ricardo Torres-La-Porte Dr Alexandros Georgiadis Mr Alexander Haupt Dr Stephane Tourneur Dr Jonathan Gloag Ms Susannah Heck Dr John Travers Dr Jonathan Goldwin Mrs Thilini Ishwara Dr Markos Trichas Dr Dipti Gupta Mr David Jennings Dr Michael Trupke Dr Michael Hartmann Mr Simon King Dr Wing Tsoi Dr George Heliotis Mr Stefan Kneip Mr Sachetan Tuladhar Mr Nicholas Hine Miss Sunil Kumar Dr Rim Turkmani Dr Jalani Kanem Mr Carlos Macias-Romero Dr Linda Uruchurtu-Gomez Dr Seok Kim Miss Claire McConnell Dr Antonin Vacheret Dr Athanasios Laliotis Mr Sohail Mushtaq Dr Antony Valentini Dr Robert Lambert Mr Malte Oppermann Dr Monica Vazquez Acosta Dr Peter Lanigan Mr Mark Persaresi Dr Manuel Vogel Dr James Leaver Mr Andrew Rose Dr Stuart Wakefield Dr Vadim Lebedenko Mr Joao Sampaio Dr Richard Walker Dr Dong Leem Mr Robert Wicks Dr Xiangjun Wang Dr Bertrand Lefebvre Mr Tobias Witting Dr Krzysztof Wargan Dr Andrey Lyalin Dr Simon Waschke Dr Karl Lyons Research Assistant Leavers 2008/9 Dr Michael Williams Dr Oisin Mac Conamhna Ms Nadine Afram Mr Paul Wobkenberg Dr Carolyn MacTavish Mr James Aird Dr Ruidong Xia Dr Olga Malandraki Mr Philip Bates Dr Man Xu Dr Takashi Matsushita Mr Claudio Bellei Dr Karen Yates Dr Ewan McGhee Mr Laurence Billingham Dr Amelle Zair Dr Ara Minassian Mr Daniel Crick Dr Gercsi Zsolt Dr Gidon Moont Mr Justin Dane Dr Peter Munro Miss Hajar Ebrahim Najafabadi Research Associate Leavers 2008/9 Dr Valerie Nadeau Mr Alvaro Feito-Boirac Dr Mohab Abou Zeid Dr Miguel Navascues Mr Jaewoo Joo Dr Hemmel Amrania Dr Massaki Owari Mr James Lazarus Dr Eduard Antonyan Dr Mathew Owens Mr Peter Levermore Dr Simon Armitage Dr Richard Plackett Mr Matthew Lilley Dr Onuora Awunor Dr Adam Rees Mr Alberto Marocchino Dr James Babington Dr Alexander Retzker Mr Adam Masters Dr Amy Ballantyne Dr Davide Rizzo Mr Christopher McNeil Dr Ian Ballard Dr Joseph Robinson Ms Anastasia Niarchou Dr Deborah Bard Dr Tamas Sashalmi Mr Kareem Osman Dr Sean Barrett Dr Robert Sewell Mr Mitesh Patel Dr Nicole Benedek Dr Christopher Sinclair Mr Konstantinos Petridis Dr Cesar Bertucci Dr Florea Stoica Mr Fernando Ramirez-Martinez Dr Neil Bevis Dr Khadija Tahir Dr Mauro Tesei Dr Richard Blackwell-Whitehead Dr Maiko Takahashi Ms Louise Willingale Dr Stephen Bradshaw Dr Laura Thevenard Mr Matthew Wingham Dr Etienne Brion Dr Alexander Thomas Mr Harald Wunderlich Dr Robert Carley Dr Anders Tjulin Miss Boon Kar Yap Dr Filippo Caruso Dr Antony Valentini Research Support Staff Dr Pierre Chanial Dr Arthur Van de Nes Dr Claudine Chen Dr Kenneth Walaron Astrophysics Dr Alvin Chua Dr Martin Wolf John Tovey, Dr Steven Clowes Dr Ben Wood Computer Manager Dr Caroline Cox Dr Tarek Yousef Mr Marcus Cramer Experimental Solid State Dr Benoit Darquie Dr James Buchanan, MSci, PhD Dr Adolfo Del Campo Senior Applications Engineer Dr Patrick Dineen Dr Simon Buehlmann, PhD Dr Jos Dingjan Senior Applications Engineer

75 Dr Chee Lim, MSci, PhD Administrative and Support Staff Theoretical Physics Group Senior Applications Engineer Graziela De Nadai-Sowrey Dr Fiona Turner, BSc, PhD, Cphys, MInstP Head of Department's Office Group Administrator Senior Applications Engineer Linda Jones Student Administration High Energy Physics Operations Manager for Physics Postgraduate Office Dr Mona Aggarwal, BSc, MSc Kalvinder Chana Support/Research Officer in Grid Computing Senior Administrator Dr Andrew Williamson Dr Saad Alsari Louise Hayward Postgraduate Development Officer Electrical Engineer PA to HoD Loli Sanchez Rey Geoffrey Barber Postgraduate Administrator Research Officer Research Groups Undergraduate Office Simon Fayer Astrophysics Group Mery Fajardo Support/Administrator in Grid Computing Dilly Osbahr Admissions Administrator Kostas Georgious, MSc, PhD Group Administrator Andrew Knight Deputy Systems Manager Undergraduate Teaching Administrator Dr Gregory Iles, BSc, PhD Condensed Matter Theory & Derryck Stewart Electronics Engineer Experimental Solid State Physics Groups Assistant UG Teaching Administrator Ashok Jamdagni Sara Reimers Carolyn Dale Research Officer Undergraduate Secretary Senior Group Administrator James Leaver Philip Shanahan Bhavna Patel Software Engineer Examinations Officer Peter Savage, BEng, MSc Administrator Mechanical Engineer Rebecca Smith Facilities Administrative Assistant Trevor Savidge, BSc Paul Brown Project Engineer Julie Kite Mechanical Instrumentation Workshop PA to Prof Russell Cowburn Osman Zorba, BSc Manager Electronics Engineer Claudia Harriott Vivienne Frater PA to the Faculty Deputy Principal Departmental Facilities Manager Photonics Group Prof Donal Bradley Malcolm Hudson Ian Munro, BSc High Energy Physics Group Departmental Buildings Manager Software and IT Development Manager Harry Vine Paula Brown Departmental Services Manager Space & Atmospheric Physics Group Administrator Simon Graham Ghyslaine Banzigou Dr Leah-Nani Alconcel, BS, MS, PhD Maintenance Archiving Scientist Technical Administrator Doug Hudson Carol Barlow Patrick Brown, BA, MSc Refurbishment Programme Management Experiments Manager Senior Research Officer Assistant Piera Brambilla Stephen Kellock, BSc, MSc Alice Powell Technical Administrator Senior Research Officer Common Room Assistant Helen O'Brien, MA, MEng Plasma Physics Group Neal Powell Research Officer Sarah Dodman Reprographics Tim Oddy, BSc, GradInstP Group Administrator Meilin Sancho Spacecraft Operations Engineer Reprographics Alban Rochel Optics (Photonics & Quantum Zana Vuckovic Software Development Officer Optics Groups) Common Room Assistant Dr Peter Slootweg, BSc, MSc, PhD Judith Baylis Research Officer Senior Group Administrator Teaching Laboratory Technicians Research Support Leavers in 2008/9 Sanja Maricic Harish Dawda Charlotte Dunford PA to the Centre for Cold Matter Prof Ed 1st Year Laboratory Dr Paul French Hinds FRS Juliet Kemp Robert Whisker Dr Matthew Noy Space & Atmospheric Physics 1st Year Laboratory Timothy Seears Group Graham Axtell 2nd & 3rd Year Laboratory Dee Long Group Administrator Paul Beaumont 2nd Year Laboratory

76 Geoffrey Green Leavers in 2008/9 3rd Year Laboratory Ryan Burrows Lee Parker Electronics Workshop Technician 3rd Year Laboratory Keith Clark Audio Visual, Keys, Room Bookings Mechanical Instrumentation Workshop and Groups Technicians Martin Dowman Optical Mechanical Workshop Stephen Annett Robert Finnis Trevor Beek (SPAT) Electronics Technician David Bowler Deborah Greek Stephen Cussell (EXSS) Undergraduate Secretary Jonathan Dyne (QOLS) John Ipe Alan Finch (PLAS) Administration Assistant Andrew Gregory (QOLS) Nicola Joiner Undergraduate Secretary Simon Johnson (PHOT / QOLS) Alan Last (SPAT) Manharlal Joshi Technician Stephen Maine Karen Lewis Steven Nelson Administrator Alan Raper Russell Nash Bandula Ratnasekara (QOLS) Buildings Manager's Assistant Andrew Rochester Celia Perry Peter Ruthven (QOLS) Administration Assistant James Stone (PHOT / QOLS) Darren Wright David Williams Stores Technician Brian Willey (QOLS)

Electronics Workshop Technicians Shahid Hanif Susan Parker

High Energy Physics Group Mechanical Workshop David Clark Ian Clark Roger Hare

High Energy Physics Group Electronics Workshop Sarah Greenwood Vera Kasey Maria Khaleeq

Optical Mechanical Workshop Martin Kehoe

77 The new Mechanical Instrumentation Workshop More than 200 staff and guests attended the how we’d like it to be laid out. We then Investment Fund, and the Rector, Sir official opening on 15 May of the new split into teams to research equipment Richard Sykes, were also among the Mechanical Instrumentation Workshop in we’d like installed, such as an EDM wire guests at an evening reception. Paul the Department of Physics. The eroder [which uses electrical discharge to Brown says: “We’re all really proud of workshop is used by a team of techni- cut conductive materials]. We’ve also our new workshop. It was a mammoth cians to design, develop and produce been on lots of training courses in-house task, but by working together as a group engineering equipment and components and with the machine manufacturers to we have produced a fantastic outcome for the department’s academic staff, help us move from what was in some which gives us and the whole College researchers and students. Over the last cases 1920s equipment to twenty-first enormous potential for the future.” two years the workshop has undergone century technology.” Mr Dyne, who has —Wendy Raeside, Communications a massive £3.2 million refurbishment been with Imperial for seven years programme which culminated in an following an apprenticeship in the aircraft The Above article is included with kind opening ceremony last month when the industry, adds: “On a personal level, it’s permission of IC Reporter new workshop was unveiled to the made my job even more exciting.” www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter College. The new facilities include computer numerically controlled The machines • To find out more about the workshop machine tools, (pictured above) allowing Andrew Rochester, technician in charge and its facilities,contact Paul Brown technicians to conduct several operations of the new computer-aided design at the same time, as well as a three- (CAD) area of the workshop, agrees that on 020 7594 7876. dimensional rapid prototype printer which the refurbishment has already had a big quickly assembles accurate and impact. Mr Rochester, who joined Imperial functional threedimensional prototypes. as a mechanical engineering apprentice Alongside this cutting edge equipment, and has been with the College for 29 the workshop also invested in new years, says there has been demand from versions of conventional tools including all over for the new facilities. He explains lathes, presses, and cutting and milling that the workshop’s rapid prototyping machines. The refurbishment has trans- machine, which uses computer data and formed the workshop from a poorly lit resins to ‘print’ three-dimensional models under-resourced area to a modern high- of almost any shape, has already been tech environment which will cater for used by teams in engineering depart- increasingly complex research needs ments and the Imperial Incubator, as within the Department of Physics and well as in Physics. David Bowler, other parts of the College. technician for the Experimental Solid State research group, also thinks that The team the workshop is paying dividends. Mr Leading the refurbishment programme was Bowler completed a mechanical Workshop Manager Paul Brown, who engineering apprenticeship at Imperial in joined Imperial 18 years ago as a 1996 and joined Physics a year ago. He technician following an apprenticeship in says: “I arrived during phase two of the mechanical engineering. He says: “The refurbishment programme and it was past 18 months have been very heavy exciting to see the project coming going, trying to maintain technical support together. We are already seeing the with the refurbishment in progress. Our benefits of being able to use the new team of 13 technicians has played a technology to manufacture a wider variety major role in the specification and of components—for example, ‘substrate selection of the new equipment and I can masks’ [templates for evaporating metals see their enthusiasm for the improved onto glass slides] which used to be sent working environment.” Recent projects out to specialist companies are being include producing an X-ray spectrometer produced in-house using our EDM wire which uses light to measure very hot machine.” He adds: “A lot of the success plasma for the Plasma Physics research is down to the guys who work here. group, and a decelerator to slow down They’ve all been involved in the refur- the movement of molecules for their bishment. I’ve worked in various study by researchers in the Centre for workshops across the College and I Cold Matter. think this will be a benchmark for future developments.” The impact The workshop technicians believe that The opening the refurbishment has made a huge The workshop opening was attended by difference to what they can offer. Jon the Head of Physics, Professor Donal Dyne, technician for the Centre for Cold Bradley, and Associate Head, Dr Kenny Matter, comments: “We’d reached a Weir. The Principal of the Faculty of research plateau using mainly manual Natural Sciences, Professor Sir Peter machines. What’s been so good is that Knight, who recognised the need for the technicians were involved from the start. refurbishment and helped secure funding We looked at the space available and via the College’s Strategic Research

78