Transcript Slide 1

The Cavendish Laboratory
Current Research and Future Development
The Department of Physics
2008
The Cavendish Laboratory
• Since it was founded in 1874, the Cavendish Laboratory
has been at the forefront of discovery in physics.
• The policy of the Department is to maintain a very powerful
core of fundamental physics in all of its diversity.
• Among the new developments are initiatives in the Physics
of Biology, Medicine and the Life Sciences.
Physics of Medicine
• Physics of Medicine is a new initiative led by the Cavendish.
• It will create an environment where researchers can freely mix, discuss
and share ideas at the interface of the physical sciences, technology,
life sciences and clinical research.
• A new building is being
constructed.
• Phase One will officially
open in Dec 2008.
• Priority project is the
construction of Phase Two.
The Research Groups
The Research Groups
Research is divided into 12 Groups
• Astrophysics
• High Energy Physics
• Detector Physics
• Opto and Microelectronics
• Atomic, Mesoscopic and Optical
Physics
• Surface, Microstructure and
Fracture
• Biological and Soft Systems
• Quantum Matter
• Inference
• Semiconductor Physics
• Nanophotonics
• Theory of Condensed Matter
Astrophysics
• The research programmes of the Astrophysics group are centred on
four major areas, each linked to instrumental programmes at the cutting
edge of astronomical technology.
• Formation of Stars and Planets
• Atacama Large Millimetre Array
(ALMA)
• James Clerk Maxwell Telescope
(JCMT)
• Observational Cosmology of the
Microwave Background Radiation
• Arcminute Microkelvin Imager
(AMI)
• ESA Plank Surveyor Satellite
Astrophysics
• Formation and Evolution of Galaxies
• Low Frequency Array (LOFAR)
• Square Kilometre Array (SKA)
• High resolution imaging of Stellar
Systems and Active Galactic Nuclei
• Magdalena Ridge Observatory
and Interferometer (MROI)
• Kavli Institute for Cosmology
• In Aug 2006, the establishment of
a Kavli Institute for Cosmology
was approved.
• Funds provided by the Kavli
Foundation will support 5-year
senior research fellowships.
Detector Physics
• The Detector Physics Group runs a major facility for designing,
manufacturing and testing a new generation of superconducting
detectors for astrophysics and the applied sciences.
• The Detector Technology
• The group is involved in the
development of a range of
detector technologies.
• The Facilities
• Better than Class 100 lithography
room.
• Full cryogenics and RF test
facility
Atomic, Mesoscopic and Optical Physics
• The Atomic, Mesoscopic and Optical Physics group studies quantum
aspects of condensed matter; from Bose-Einstein condensates to
semiconductor quantum dots.
• Quantum gases and collective
phenomena
• Areas of interest: superfluidity,
quantum magnetism, nonequilibrium phenomena.
• Quantum optics and cold atoms
• Correlation phenomena of
bosonic and fermionic atoms.
• Quantum Optoelectronics
• Dynamics of spins in lowdimensional semiconductors.
• Quantum optics and mesoscopic
systems
• Optical control and manipulation
of multiple spins in quantum
confines systems
Biological and Soft Systems
• The 21st Century promises a major expansion at the interface of
physics with the life sciences. The Biological and Soft Systems group is
pursuing this kind of multidisciplinary research.
• Soft Matter
• Colloids
• Polymers and Composites
• Thin Films and Interfaces
• Imaging
• Environmental Scanning Electron
microscope (ESEM)
• Medical imaging
• Micromechanics and Optical
Manipulation
Biological and Soft Systems
• Physical properties of biological
systems
• Cell Biophysics
• Molecular Biophysics
• Physics of Medicine
• Many of the activities are
expected to move into the new
facility.
Inference
• The Inference Group is involved in a wide range of projects
in the general area of machine learning and information
theory. From the optimisation of error-correcting codes to
automated strategies for Go.
• The Dasher project
• Neural Networks
• A text-entry interface driven
• Used to understand how
by natural continuous
the brain works.
pointing gestures.
• Energy research
• Informing the public and
government of ways energy
can be harnessed efficiently
and sustainably.
Nanophotonics
• In Nanophotonics, new materials are constructed in which atoms are
arranged in sophisticated ways on the nanometre scale. These metamaterials often display new properties not observed in the constituents.
• Nanoplasmonics
• Semiconductor microcavities
• Nanoscale self-assembly results
• Microcavities represent a new
in nanostructured surfaces with
interface for light and matter to
specific optical properties.
meet.
• Polymer photonic crystals
• Flexible polymer-based photonic
crystals change colour under
strain.
High Energy Physics
• The High Energy Physics group’s research is based on experiments a
high energy particle accelerators, with group members making up part
of several international collaborations.
• ATLAS
• A particle physics experiment
based at the CERN LHC.
• Large Hadron Collider beauty
experiment (LHCb)
• A special purpose experiment at
the LHC used to investigate “Bparticles”
High Energy Physics
• Main Injector Neutrino Oscillation
Search (MINOS)
• The main goal is to study the
phenomenon of neutrino
oscillation.
• Research and Development
• The group works on an R&D
programme to solve the
challenges of next-gen detectors.
• Cavendish HEP Theory work
• The groups works on Quantum
Chromodynamics and beyondStandard Model phenomenology.
Opto and Microelectronics
• The Optoelectronics group carries out fundamental physics studies in
different aspects of organic semiconductor materials; long-chain
molecules made from conjugated units such as benzene.
• Light Emitting Polymers
• The group pioneered the physics
of semiconducting polymers as
LEDs
• Solar Cells
• Understanding the formation of
electronic states is important to
optimise efficiency.
Opto and Microelectronics
• Transistors
• Research is focussed on the
charge transport of organic
semiconductors
• Microelectronics Research Centre
• The MRC works closely with the
Hitachi Cambridge laboratory on
novel electronic quantum devices.
Quantum Matter
• The Shoenberg Laboratory for Quantum Matter studies matter under
extreme conditions using advanced experimental techniques and very
low temperatures, high magnetic fields and high pressures.
• Anisotropic Superconductivity
• Exploring the theory for p-wave
and d-wave superconductivity
• Correlated Electron Materials
• Studying manifestations of
electron-electron correlation
• Exotic States of Matter
• Non-Fermi liquid behaviour
Quantum Matter
• High-Tc Materials
• Continuing investigation
• High Pressure
• A new quantum parameter
• Novel Superconductors
• Superconduction from new
material combinations
• Quantum Ferroelectrics
• New quantum critical point
• New Cryogenics
• Simplifying equipment
Semiconductor Physics
• The Semiconductor Physics group explores and develops new physics
using state-of-the-art semiconductor device fabrication technology,
particularly in new types of nanostructures.
• One-dimensional Electron transport
• Mesoscopic 2D Electron transport
• Examining behaviour in low
dimensional systems.
• Electron transport in Quantum dots
• Possible future as a new
computing architecture.
Semiconductor Physics
• Surface Acoustic Waves
• Quantum Light sources and detectors
• Collaborative efforts with Toshiba
Research Europe.
• Low Temperature scanning probes
• Novel scanning system enable
study of conduction in devices.
• Terahertz science and technology
• Many applications due to noninvasive and non-destructive
nature.
• Thin Film Magnetism
• Novel magnetic properties.
Surface, Microstructure and Fracture
• The Surface, Microstructure and Fracture group studies surface
physics, microstructure, fracture and microscopy, as well as dynamical
material testing and high-speed photography.
• Fracture physics
• High precision experiments to
develop theoretical knowledge.
• Surface physics
• New technique: He-3 Spin-echo.
• Structure and dynamics
• Understanding how structures
behave by external effects.
Theory of Condensed Matter
• The Theory of Condensed Matter group constantly evolves to address
new theoretical challenges, some of which arise from novel experiments
performed in the Cavendish and elsewhere.
• Collective Quantum Phenomena
• Using theoretical methods to
address physical problems
• Quantum mechanical methods
• Developing new methods with
greater accuracy.
• Soft condensed matter
• Investigating liquid crystal
behaviour.
The Department
Teaching
• Training future generations of physical scientists continues to be a
central pillar of the Cavendish’s programme.
• The Laboratory attracts large numbers of the brightest young scientists
from the UK and overseas at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
Teaching
• Undergraduate Teaching
• Physics students are able to
develop their enthusiasm and
ingenuity through the challenges
provided by the course.
• Graduate Teaching
• The Laboratory offers graduates
from around the world the
opportunity to work with worldclass researchers across the
complete spectrum of physics.
Development
• Physics is a living and dynamic discipline, which continues to expand in
intellectual depth and breadth.
• Particularly significant are the many cross-linkages with other
departments, notably the physics of biology, medicine and the life
sciences.
• These ground-breaking developments require new investment in
infrastructure.
Development
• The University has recognised that it is essential to rebuild the
Laboratory to match the new requirements of the research and teaching
programmes. Specifically:
• The present buildings, constructed in 1974, are no longer appropriate for the
current programme or, in light of new interdisciplinary collaborations and new
investigative techniques, for the future direction of research at the Cavendish.
• The provision of state-of-the-art laboratories, offices and supporting
infrastructure, including scientific computing, with all the advantages of modern
design, will enable the Cavendish to maintain and enhance its contribution to
physics at the international level.
• The reconstruction of the Laboratory will complement the University's ambitious
plans for a major contemporary science complex on the West Cambridge site.
Outreach
• Educational Outreach to the broader community, particularly young
people, is an essential part of the work of the Laboratory.
• The Educational Outreach Office has the prime objective of stimulating
interest in physics amongst 11-19 year-olds.
• Physics at Work
• The flagship event organised by
the Cavendish is the Physics at
Work exhibition.
• Over 2000 young people visit the
Laboratory over a three-day
period.
Outreach
• Working with Schools
• Educating the next generation of
physicists is regarded as an
important responsibility.
• Senior Physics Challenge
• A major "schools physics
development programme” and
"university access initiative" .
• Cavendish Physics Centre
• Envisioned well-equipped
facilities to demonstrate the scope
of physics.
Contacts
The Cavendish Laboratory
Head of Department
JJ Thomson Avenue
Prof. Peter Littlewood
Cambridge
Tel:
+44 (0) 1223 337 429
CB3 0HE, UK
Email:
[email protected]
Tel:
+44 (0) 1223 337 200
Director of Development
Fax:
+44 (0) 1223 363 263
Prof. Malcolm Longair
Email:
[email protected]
Tel:
+44 (0) 1223 765 953
Web:
www.phy.cam.ac.uk
Email:
[email protected]
Development website: http://www.phy.cam.ac.uk/cavendish/development/