Research

We use cold atoms and molecules to test fundamental physics, measure tiny forces, control quantum systems and develop quantum technologies. Our research within cold matter includes low energy tests of fundamental physics, ultracold molecules and quantum technologies based on atom interferometry.

Read more about our research on The Centre for Cold Matter page. 

Through data-driven research and modelling, we investigate the properties of systems whose complex behaviour emerges from large numbers of interacting components. For example, why are ant societies, whose elaborate highly-organised macroscopic (colony-level) properties emerge from microscopic interactions between ants, so successful?

Using theoretical techniques from quantum field theory and computer simulations, we study the cooperative collective behaviour of nanoscale quantum systems. Specific systems of interest include dissipationless phases of matter, which may be useful for quantum information processing, and the dynamics of nanoscale mechanical systems driven far from equilibrium. Our work continually throws up fundamental questions relating to quantum mechanics and how thermodynamics may be adapted to nanometre length scales.

The Extreme Light Consortium (XLC) is a collaboration between Light and Matter Community academics where we are exploring the extremes of light-matter interaction (e.g. attosecond timescales, intense laser and x-ray fields, new light sources) and their applications.

*According to Web of Science our laboratory has published over 400 papers with a H60

Members: Jon Marangos, John Tisch, Mary Matthews, Vitali Averbukh, Leszek Frasinski

Recent work slides: Building on the foundations of attosecond physics, HHG in the condensed phase

Current activities (as of November 2024):

• Attosecond measurement of many-body dynamics in matter (XFEL expt. and theory incl. hole-dynamics and electron-nuclear coupling in suddenly ionized amino acids )[1]
• Attosecond X-ray NLO (XFEL expt. incl electronic excited states in condensed phase systems)[2]
• Ultrafast x-ray spectroscopy of exciton dynamics in organic semiconductors (HHG & XFEL)[3]
• Ultrafast x-ray spectroscopy of photochemical dynamics of organic and atmospheric chemistry in gas and liquid phase (HHG & XFEL)[4]
• Ultrafast nano-plasmonic response and PHz field sensitive devices[5]
• Nano-plasmonically enhanced HHG[6]
• HHG/PHz driven currents in condensed phase[7]
• Synthetic chiral light & non-linear response of chiral samples in condensed phase[8]
• Few-cycle optical – UV pulses and diagnostics for ultrafast measurement[9]
• UV/DUV sources for applications[10]
• Broad bandwidth frequency synthesis for HHG, electron acceleration and field resolved spectroscopy [11]
• 2D Mass Spectrometry (including photofragmentation dynamics of DNA/RNA)[12]
• Next generation XFELs (e.g. collaborating on attosecond modes with EuroXFEL & LCLS)[13]
• Development of LUXD for ultrafast structural dynamics of materials[14]

[1] Frontiers of quantum chemistry (in collaboration with Stanford/SLAC, Hamburg/DESY, UAM Madrid, relevance to Foulkes/Finnis work) EPSRC funded

[2] Accessing previously unresolved electron-electron, electron-ion and electron-phonon couplings in metals/semiconductors EPSRC funded (relevance to Nelson/Kim/Cohen et al)

[3] EPSRC proposal submitted Marangos, Matthews, Kim & Nelson & potential to impact on other materials

[4] Programme Grant with Bristol Chemistry, UCL & Oxford EPSRC funded

[5] Light-nanoplasmonic coupling in biased nanogaps and ultrafast nanoscopy of metal-halide perovskite quantum dots (with Bakulin in Chemistry/U.Southampton)

[6] Compact XUV sources (with Oulton EPSRC grant in preparation)

[7] Time-resolved band-structure mapping/PHz electronics Royal Society funded

[8] New industrially applicable enantiomer sensitive measurements, and research in control of chiral currents (with Ayuso Chemistry) Royal Society funded

[9] Enabling photonic technology (funded via Programme Grant)

[10] Photonic devices with MOD  (DSTL funded)

[11] Enabling photonic technology (earlier EPSRC & DSTL funding, application to USAF)

[12] Worlds first high throughput 2D mass spectrometry technique, Biomedicine/Spin-out formed (earlier Wellcome, EPSRC & DSTL funding)

[13] UK XFEL project Conceptual Design Development with CLF & Daresbury (STFC funded)

[14] As well as supporting in-house research in structural dynamics between Imperial Life Sciences and Physics it will also be a user facility with planned users including Bakulin and Fuchter (Chemistry), Ingle and Robinson (UCL), Kirrander and Orville (Oxford), Weinstein (Sheffield), Zayats and Zair (Kings) potential to impact multiple Matter projects (EPSRC Strategic Equipment funding)

We use ions traps to develop new quantum control techniques, test fundamental physics and investigate dark matter. 

Read more about our research on the Ion Trapping page. 

Materials have played a central role in the development of civilisation from the Bronze Age to the Semiconductor Age. We aim to understand and predict the properties of materials and the processes by which they grow or transform. We also provide guidance for experimental research, help to interpret observations, and seek ways to enhance materials’ properties. Our theoretical work is often helped by simulations, which include accurate quantum mechanical calculations, atomistic and more coarsely-grained approaches, and continuum models.

Metamaterials are artificial solids designed to guide electromagnetic fields or acoustic waves. The properties of conventional materials are determined by chemical composition and how the atoms are arranged. Metamaterials, on the other hand, consist of arrays of specially-engineered units organised on much larger length scales. They can be designed to manipulate photons and electrons in ways that cannot be achieved with conventional materials. This has inspired scientists to conceive perfect lenses, new lasers, 'invisibility cloaks’ and opened the door to slow and stopped broadband light.

We explore the collective and emergent properties of spin textures at the nanoscale. The coupling phenomena manifest in both the static magnetic state and the GHz spin-wave excitations. We have interest is aspects of topology and chirality. We are investigating applications including reconfigurable magnonic crystals, neuromorphic computing, and as sources of nanoscale magnetic field textures.

Neuromorphic computing is a fundamental rethinking of computer architectures where artificial, physical neurons and synapses are used to compute, mimicking the structure and functionality of the human brain. It has the potential to provide the energy-efficiency urgently needed to address the unsustainable power consumption of conventional computers. We are exploring the links between the physics of a system and the computing performance, and the potential of magnetic, random lasing, processible electronic memristor and phase change materials for this new technology.

Organic molecules may offer advantage in a type of neuromorphic hardware (memristors) in terms of speed, high on/off ratio, energy efficiency and multiple controllable (redox) states. We are embarking on a new study to examine the potential of different molecular arrangements for application. 

Plasmonics and nanophotonics investigates ways to confine electromagnetic radiation to nanoscale volumes below the diffraction limit. This is achieved via the excitation of hybrid light/matter modes in metallic nanostructures, and is developing into a disruptive technology for all areas of science where the manipulation of light is a prominent ingredient: biochemical sensing, solar light harvesting, photomedical therapies, and optoelectronics, for example.

Work in this area encompasses plastic electronics, polymer gain media for lasers and optical amplifiers, semiconductor nanophotonics and photonic crystals, highly integrated optics, organic and oxide microelectronics, and quantum optics in the solid state.

The ability to capture and store solar energy is a key requirement for a sustainable economy. Research concerns the application of nanostructured materials to achieve efficient gains in photovoltaic devices. This includes quantum photovoltaics, ultra-high-efficiency solar cells, organic solar cells, as well as energy efficient materials, solid oxide fuel cells, and materials for energy refrigeration and power transmission.

Focus areas are mid-infrared imaging for cancer detection, nanoplasmonics for biological sensing, and organic photoconductors for x-ray imaging.

Research in this area concerns the application of nanostructured optoelectronic materials from plasmonics and metamaterials, nanomagnetism, and narrow-gap semiconductors. We have interest in magnetoresistance and Hall effect materials and devices for sensing applications.

Our interests in superconductivity encompasses a wide range of topics - from understanding fundamental aspects of unconventional superconductivity in low-dimensional hybrids to superconducting devices for quantum technologies. Our facilities range from advanced thin film deposition systems to state-of-the-art characterisation techniques and device development capabilities. We also co-host the Quantum Science and Device Facility for performing scanning probe microscopy and studying quantum transport at milli-Kelvin temperatures.

Topological phases of matter represent a new paradigm for making sense of the qualitative behavior of matter -- be it natural materials, engineered quantum systems, or artificial meta-materials -- with a focus on universal and robust properties such as lossless conductance. Our research in this direction includes both hands-on experiments as well as theoretical research into new mechanisms for topological protection. We are particularly excited about the prospects of topological insulators for energy efficient quantum devices and spintronics, as well as the enticing possibility of quantum computation in topological superconductors.