ANNUAL REPORT 2015 F Dodd-Walls Centre OR PHOTONICANDQUTUMTECHLOGIES

Photo: Otago Daily Times TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction 1

Report from the Chair 3

Report from the Director 4

Research Highlights 5

Educational Outreach 9

Industry 12

People and Events 14

Facts and Figures 20

Finances 22

Governance and Management 23

Publications 25

INTRODUCTION

The Dodd-Walls Centre is a national Centre of Research Excellence involving five NZ universities, hosted by the University of Otago. Our research focuses on ’s acknowledged strength in the fields of precision atomic and quantum optical physics, with our name drawn from two kiwi pioneers in these fields. Our research explores the limits of control and measurement at the atomic scale through the use of laser light, the generation and manipulation of light at its most fundamental, quantum level and the processing and physical nature of information in this quantum realm.

Our Strategic Outcomes are Increased scientific impact Enhance New Zealand’s international scientific reputation by creating a centre that is recognised as one of the premier organisations in the field of photonic and quantum technologies, becoming a flagship for scientific excellence showcasing New Zealand innovation. The Centre’s work will be sought for its innovation and expertise and make it a destination of choice for the world’s best and brightest students. Enhanced economic output Develop and expand New Zealand’s high-tech industry sector, adding to the country’s economic growth, via the successful application of photonic and quantum technologies and focused, concerted education and outreach to existing New Zealand industry regarding the advances these technologies can afford. Stronger workforce Grow the pool of highly skilled New Zealand workers with the highest level of training, mentoring and hands-on experience with state-of-the-art photonic and quantum technologies research and development in our labs and in partnership with New Zealand industry. Better careers Increase the number of high-quality, high-earning career pathways in New Zealand through the enhancement of existing high-tech businesses, and the creation of new ones and ensure these career pathways are opened more equitably for all New Zealanders through enhanced public engagement, outreach and education. Improved decision-making Inform decision making processes of businesses and government through consultation and the sharing of consolidated knowledge of the science and technology of using light. Improved scientific literacy An increased knowledge and use of science in society, especially by groups traditionally under-represented in science. Increased awareness of the benefits accrued through the support of research, the power of the scientific method and the importance of scientifically informed decision making.

1 Our Mission is • to create a research centre that is recognised as one of the world’s leading organisations in the field of photonic and quantum technologies,

• to build upon the acknowledged strength of Host University New Zealand in the areas of non-linear and quantum optics and precision atomic physics, • to train and develop skilled staff and students to the highest international standards, and • to help develop the high-tech industry sector, thus ensuring economic growth and continued career pathways in New Zealand.

Collaborating Partners Tertiary Partners University of Otago (Host Institution) University of Auckland Victoria University of

Non-Tertiary Partners Callaghan Innovation Southern Photonics Canterbury Development Corporation Otago Museum

International Partners Centre for Quantum Technologies, Singapore Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics University of Strathclyde, UK Joint Quantum Institute, USA University of Science & Technology, Anhui, China

2 REPORT FROM THE CHAIR

The Dodd-Walls Centre for Photonic and Quantum Technologies was recognised in 2014 by the Tertiary Education Commission as one of New Zealand’s four new Centres of Research Excellence. It is a pleasure to reflect on the first successful year of operations in this role. The Dodd-Walls Centre had in fact evolved over several years as a collaboration between leading researchers in aspects of fundamental physics first pioneered in New Zealand by Professor Jack Dodd at Otago (atomic physics) and Professor Dan Walls at Auckland (quantum optics). Their legacy is a world class group of former students and colleagues who are acknowledged as leading one of New Zealand’s main contributions to international science. These areas of physics; photonics, the manipulation of the quantum building blocks of light, and the precision control of matter at the atomic scale through the use of light, are not only at the centre of mankind’s understanding of the physical universe, but are studied with a scale of equipment which is well suited to the research resources and commercialisation capability achievable in New Zealand. The new resourcing available from the Tertiary Education Commission is enabling and expanding effort not only in research but also in terms of educational outreach, consideration of commercialisation potential and student skill development. The Centre is firmly focussed on its potential to make a significant contribution to the growth of the high technology industry sector in New Zealand. The Governance Board has overseen the Centre’s compliance with its obligations, provided strategic advice to the Director, Professor Hutchinson and Otago as Host Institution, and helped foster equitable relationships with the other external organisations involved. A personal highlight for me during the year was to visit the University of Strathclyde. Their entrepreneurial combination of advanced physics with business engagement has placed them at the forefront of physics and photonics in Europe. I would like to thank my fellow Board Members and the Director for achieving the new impetus, cohesion, and research outcomes which have marked the new status of the Centre this year.

Dr Garth Carnaby

3 REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR

Wow, what a colourful, light-filled first year as a Centre of Research Excellence. The year started with a bang with the launch of the UNESCO International Year of Light. The opening ceremony in Paris was attended by the two co-chairs of the New Zealand committee for the International Year of Light, both DWC members, and two students. The year was then dominated by a host of educational outreach activities mainly focussed around the International Year. The vast majority of the outreach was coordinated through our collaboration with New Zealand’s museum sector, led by the Otago Museum who host the Centre’s dedicated Educational Outreach Manager. The Educational Outreach Team successfully engaged with MBIE’s Unlocking Curious Minds initiative over this period, with a number of national and regional projects led by DWC members and others with significant DWC involvement and support. A special mention must go to all the postgraduate students who supported all these education initiatives. On top of this, the SPIE/OSA student chapters in Auckland and Otago also hosted their own Australasian student conference, KOALA, with Nobel Laureate Bill Phillips as their plenary speaker. The heart of the Centre though is its research. We now have 100 PhD students across the five tertiary partners producing world class research published in the very highest impact journals, including Nature and Physical Review Letters. Staff and students are also engaged in the transfer of technology through to our first new start-up companies. Total external research funding secured by the DWC team, excluding CoRE funding itself, amounted to $10.7M in 2015, including t