| Quantum thermodynamics Our research focusses on providing theoretical understanding of thermodynamics at the nanoscale. Specifically, we investigate the importance of small scale fluctuations and non-equilibrium effects within stochastic thermodynamics and investigate the impact quantum effects, such as coherences and entanglement, have on thermodynamic processes. Previously, I focussed on quantum cryptography which can find applications in communication and security. Group page |
|
| Light-Matter Coupling - Linking molecules with light Traditionally, making molecules with new properties, e.g. dyes of different colours, has been the province of chemistry, new properties are based on making new molecules. Our approach is fundamentally different, we use light to alter the way molecules interact with each other, something that can lead to radical changes in their properties, without changing their chemical composition. We use two related techniques known as strong coupling and weak coupling, and are investigating this approach to controlling molecular excitonic resonances. Group page |
|
| Nanoscience and Nanotechnology My research expertise spans across applied research in nanotechnology, electronic and optoelectronic devices to fundamental research in nanoscience (quantum phenomena, molecular electronics, nano electronics, spintronics) and materials science. Group page Nano Engineering Science and Technology Group |
|
| THz materials, imaging and spectroscopy; Nonlinear optics We explore the potential for developing new THz components and sensors to fill the so called “THz gap”, utilizing novel magnetic and plasmonic responses of many materials in this region, and are currently working on novel methods for imaging in this difficult spectral region. We also work in plasmoncs, and explore the possibility of replacing coinage metals with new materials such as graphene and ITO. These materials have tuneable electromagnetic responses, as free electrons can controllably introduced by chemical, electrical or photo- doping, making the manipulating light on extreme sub-wavelength length scales possible, and we focus on enhancing nonlinear optical responses for optical switching etc. Group page Electromagnetic and Acoustic Materials |
|
| Theory of electromagnetic and acoustic materials Design of electromagnetic materials: Suppose you want to do something to a wave; perhaps redirect a radio wave, or absorb a sound wave. I use mathematics to look for the materials you need. I am interested in the theory of electromagnetism and wave physics in general. Recently I've been thinking about how waves reflect from metamaterial structures, but I also work on the theory of quantum electromagnetism in dielectric media (I am interested in understanding how macroscopic bodies affect the quantum properties of the electromagnetic field, and how these in turn affect the motion of the object). Group page |
|
| Quantum Nanophotonics Optoelectronic devices, which generate, manipulate and measure light, underpin modern communication and have enabled the internet to revolutionise the modern world. A new generation of quantum optoelectronic devices, which process light at the single photon level promise a further revolution in the way we communicate, measure and process data. Individual photons, the elementary particles of light, are the building blocks of this technology, but must first be generated by single photon sources. For practical applications the photons must be generated on-demand, at high repetition rates and must be indistinguishable, in other words identical in all degrees of freedom (for example energy and polarisation). My research is centred around the development of such devices through the exploration of novel materials and their nanophotonic integration. Group page |
|
| Quantum materials and spectroscopy Transition metal dichalcogenides are a novel platform for quantum optics. They are optically active, semiconducting layered materialswhich can be exfoliated from their bulk crystals to monolayers can be re-assembled to vertical heterostructures by stacking. These layered materials (LMs) are promising for fast optoelectronics and on-chip photonics. We demonstrated the existence of quantum light emitters in atomically thin TMD layers. Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence is the primary tool to characterise layered materials and heterostacks used as platform for quantum optics. These techniques can identify TMDs, extract the number of layers, doping, quality of the material. Group page |
|
| Biophotonics and Biomechanics The mechanical properties of biological tissues are central to their function and impairment is implicated in ageing and disease. Changes in the macroscopic mechanical properties and tissue structure and composition are both well characterised, but the causal relationships between them are largely unclear. A novel microscopy technique based on Brillouin light scattering from acoustic waves at GHz frequencies has emerged for the contactless 3-D probing of tissue mechanics at the microscopic and subcellular levels. In Exeter we advance the development and applications of Brillouin microscopy as a novel optical technique within biophotonics and the clinical environment. Group page |
|
| Structured light I work on spatial structuring of infra-red and visible light for a variety of applications to imaging, optical trapping and optical communications. Dynamic light shaping is achieved using liquic crystal spatial light modulators and digital micro-mirror devices. We are also developing new methods to create compact light transforming optics using direct laser writing (microscale 3D printing). Group page |
|
| Quantum Systems and Nanomaterials
My research group is pioneering the novel science found in nano-systems. In particular, we are currently studying the electrical properties of graphene materials, which are just one or few carbon atom thick with honeycomb structure. In these materials charge carriers have a record high mobility at room temperature and behave as massless Dirac fermions.
Our main research directions are
Group page Quantum Systems and Nanomaterials |
|
| Biomedical Imaging and Biosensing As Professor of Biomedical Imaging and Biosensing I am working at the interface between physics, engineering and medicine. Group page Biomedical Physics |
|
| Single-Molecule Biosensors Sensor systems have emerged that exhibit extraordinary sensitivity for detecting physical, chemical, and biological entities at the micro/nanoscale. Particularly exciting is the detection and analysis of molecules on miniature devices that have many possible applications in health, environment, analysis, and security. Group Page Living Systems Institute (LSI): Vollmer Laboratory of Nano and Quantum Biosensing |
|
| Active/Reconfigurable Metasurfaces; phase-change materials Conventional metamaterials and metasurfaces (the 2D form of metamaterials) are ‘fixed-by-design’, with performance determined by the form of their resonating structures and the properties of the materials of which they are made. Far greater functionality and application would be available if we could develop active versions, i.e. metamaterials whose response can be dynamically adapted, tuned or reconfigured. At Exeter we are doing just this, using chalcogenide phase-change materials to deliver active optical metasurfaces that can work from the UV right out to the THz, and with applications ranging from LiDAR to multispectral imaging, optoelectronic displays, chemical sensing and much more. Group page |
|
| Nanomaterials for energy My research covers a broad spectrum of nanomaterials and nanocomposites, with specific interests in functionality and their applications. The core research focus is to synthesize and characterise novel functional nanoporous materials, to understand the growth mechanisms, to assess their advanced mechanical and physical properties, and to apply these interesting functional nanoporous materials for practical applications in a diverse areas, from energy storage and conversion to nanodevice construction, from solar energy creation to hydrogen energy storage and greenhouse capture and conversion, and from photocatalysis and environmental catalysis for renewable energy to lightweight wearable engineering devices. Group page |
