Quantum systems can be exceptionally sensitive probes of electric, magnetic and gravitational fields. The aim of research in sensing is to exploit that sensitivity to make useful sensors with unprecedented precision and accuracy based on quantum mechanics. In quantum imaging, quantum light such as single photons, entangled photon pairs and squeezed fields are used for imaging fragile objects such as biological tissue non-invasively.
Areas of sensing and imaging that we are currently pursuing include:
- We contribute to the work of the QuantIC hub on heralded spectroscopy and ghost imaging, where both classical and quantum correlations are used to suppress noise and increase the resolution of measurements.
- Our research in quantum optomechanics seeks to approach the quantum limit for sensing extremely weak forces as well as to study fundamental physics. We are working closely with the National Physical Laboratory to develop industry applications for electric and magnetic sensing at room temperature as well as low temperature.
- For efficient and stable quantum imaging, we generate twin photons at two different frequencies and package the whole imaging device into a portable size.
- With nanoscale photonics, not only do interactions become stronger and faster but also previously undetectable weak effects are dramatically enhanced. The result is extreme sensing capability, with localised surface plasmonics at the quantum level.
Our researchers:
Professor Neil Alford MBE FREng
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Professor Neil Alford MBE FREng
Department of Materials
Dr Daan Arroo
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Dr Daan Arroo
Department of Materials
Dr Max Attwood
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Dr Max Attwood
Department of Materials
Dr Artem Bakulin
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Dr Artem Bakulin
Department of Chemistry
Dr Charles Baynham
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Dr Charles Baynham
Department of Physics
Professor Oliver Buchmueller
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Professor Oliver Buchmueller
Department of Physics
Dr Shelly Conroy
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Dr Shelly Conroy
Department of Materials
Professor Carlo Contaldi
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Professor Carlo Contaldi
Department of Physics
Professor Zahid Durrani
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Professor Zahid Durrani
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Professor Matthew Fuchter
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Professor Matthew Fuchter
Department of Chemistry
Dr Kevin Gouder
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Dr Kevin Gouder
Department of Aeronautics
Professor Geoffrey Hall FRS
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Professor Geoffrey Hall FRS
Department of Physics
Professor Nicholas Harrison
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Professor Nicholas Harrison
Department of Chemistry
Dr Leonie Hawkins
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Dr Leonie Hawkins
Department of Physics
Professor Sandrine Heutz
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Professor Sandrine Heutz
Department of Materials
Dr Ping-Luen Ho
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Dr Ping-Luen Ho
Department of Materials
Professor Andrew Horsfield
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Professor Andrew Horsfield
Department of Materials
Dr Jose Jimenez Zarco
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Dr Jose Jimenez Zarco
Department of Life Sciences
Professor Emil Lupu
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Professor Emil Lupu
Department of Computing
Professor Stefan Maier
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Professor Stefan Maier
Department of Physics
Professor Rupert Oulton
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Professor Rupert Oulton
Department of Physics
Professor Mark Oxborrow
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Professor Mark Oxborrow
Department of Materials
Professor Chris Phillips
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Professor Chris Phillips
Department of Physics
Professor Riccardo Sapienza
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Professor Riccardo Sapienza
Department of Physics
Professor Simon Schultz
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Professor Simon Schultz
Department of Bioengineering
Professor John Tisch
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Professor John Tisch
Department of Physics
Dr Felice Torrisi
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Dr Felice Torrisi
Department of Chemistry
Dr Michael Vanner
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Dr Michael Vanner
Department of Physics
Dr Jessica Wade
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Dr Jessica Wade
Department of Materials
Dr Thomas Walker
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Dr Thomas Walker
Department of Physics
Professor Ian Walmsley CBE FRS
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Professor Ian Walmsley CBE FRS
Department of Physics