Programmable photonic circuits that can implement linear transformation between any number of input and output optical channels are used both for quantum computation in quantum optics and for signal processing in telecommunications. These “universal multiport interferometers” can be built using meshes of reconfigurable beam splitters, for example on an integrated photonic platform.

Radioactivity detectors are widely used in society to ensure safe levels of human exposure to potentially dangerous radiation are maintained. Measuring radiation in the atmosphere is also of great interest to researchers as its effects on the lower atmosphere are currently poorly understood.

Oxford Physicists have partnered with UK quantum technology companies to win funding in the latest Innovate UK competition. Three of our collaborative projects were awarded grants and are described below.

Simon Hooker is a Professor of Atomic and Laser Physics at Oxford and Chris Arran and Robert Shalloo are two of his graduate students. They discuss the group's work on developing plasma accelerators for real-world applications.

Signal couplers allow signals from two transmission lines to be combined and/or split, and can be used in a variety of applications including power distribution networks, sensor arrays, and astronomical instrumentation. Conventional couplers have both transmission lines, which carry the signal, running in parallel to each other, which makes them unsuitable for circuits that require signal path crossing or bypassing, particularly in applications in a linear array. Traditionally this is overcome by using cross-guide coupler, additional cabling or series of optical free-space beam splitters.

The new edition of the Oxford Physics Newsletter showcases commercialisation of technology invented for fundamental particle physics experiments and is now being used in applications across the hi-tech manufacturing sector. The article describes how we collaborated with industry to bring this exciting precise measurement technology to market. We also recount the story of Oxford Physics’ first ever spin-out company, the now hugely successful Oxford Instruments plc.

The Department of Physics has been successful in winning funding for three new exciting projects in the latest quantum technologies competition, which was co-funded by Innovate UK and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Of the funding, 65% will go towards supporting company activities, and the remaining 35% to academic research.

The latest Oxford Physics Newsletter includes an article on our new initiatives to engage with industry. We'd be delighted to hear your views on our plans and welcome input as we develop upcoming events to help industry access our skills, knowledge, technologies and facilities.

Oxford Physics Newsletter

BBSRC have announced the shortlisted finalists for their 2017 Innovator of the Year competition, which include Oxford Physics’ Achillefs Kapanidis and Bo Jing, who developed the Nanoimager, a high-resolution microscope based on detecting single fluorescent molecules.