Research in Optics and Photonics

Student projects available! Contact Prof. Jesper Munch for details.

• High power lasers for gravitational wave interferometry
  Developing ultra-stable, efficient, high power lasers for extreme remote sensing. Find out about our novel composite slab lasers.
• Adaptive optics for gravitational wave interferometry
  Our ultra-sensitive Hartmann wavefront sensor has been selected for use in Advanced LIGO.
• ACIGA/LIGO High Optical Power Test Facility - See the video on LIGO!
  Measuring the effect of absorption-induced wavefront distortion in interferometers.
  
• Coherent laser radar for remote sensing of atmospheric wind fields
  Monitoring pollution dispersion, and measuring clear-air turbulence and wind-shear in front of aircraft.
• Sodium guide-star lasers for adaptive optics in extremely large optical telescopes
  Removing the twinkle from the stars!
• Cryogenic lasers
  Lasers in space!
• Large aperture sodium lidar for investigating the middle atmosphere
  Understanding the atmosphere.
• Holographic correction of lidar receivers
  Cheap, high quality mirrors for remote sensing of the atmosphere.
• Water vapour lidar system
  Water is the most important greenhouse gas!
• Wavefront sensing in optometry and ophthalmology
  High precision measurements that are accurate!
• Bio-optics
  Inspiration from Insects!
• High Order Coherence and Interference
  A little incoherence to improve the clarity!
• Time evolution of a J=1 to J=1 atomic system in Samarium with resonant radiation at 686nm