100 years of photons, 50 years of Lasers and much more in the future

 
Prof Hans A Bachor

MARC Centre for Excellence in Quantum-Atom Optics, Canberra

March 4, 2010, 8 PM

Physics Lecture Theatre 1

Sandy Bay Campus, University of Tasmania

 

ABSTRACT: Lasers and light are one of the key components of modern technology, as part of many machines we are using every day.  They have influenced the way we communicate, manufacture cars, look after our health, work and organise our life with a computer.  This is a brief story from the beginning of modern optics, more than 100 years ago, and celebration of the laser, which was invented exactly 50 years ago.  Let us have a look at the bold concepts and diverse group of people who created this marvellous technology.

SPEAKER PROFILE:  Prof. Hans-Albert Bachor is the Director of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Quantum-Atom Optics (ACQAO) , a national centre to study  atoms and light at the quantum level and to explore options for future quantum technologies.

He received his diploma and doctorate in Physics from the University of Hannover, Germany. He was attracted to Australia in 1981 by the Australian National University where he has been teaching Physics at all levels with great enthusiasm and success He established a widely known group for optics and explores the possibilities of harnessing the quantum nature of light. He has pioneered techniques for sensitive measurements beyond the quantum noise limit, for optical sensors, interferometers, optical communication or data storage. He currently investigates the spatial quantum properties of laser beams. He worked and taught many times in the USA, Germany, Denmark and France and has introduced and trained many young scientists to Australia.

He holds many academic awards and distinctions, including the Humboldt Research Prize, Fellow of the Institute of Physics (UK) and Australian Institute of physics (AIP) and the Optical Society of America (OSA). He is recipient of the Walter Boas medal and the Award for achievements to Physics from the AIP.

He is active in his local community, a charter member of the local Rotary Club  and chairman of the National Youth Science Forum in Australia.

 Lecture sponsored by  the School of Mathematics and Physics and the Australian Institute of Physics.