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University of Edinburgh School of Physics
Research in the School of Physics University of Edinburgh, and the PPARC Astronomy Technology Centre.
Introduction.
Physics in Edinburgh covers a huge range from subatomic particles to the entire Universe. It also includes all of mathematical theory, experiment and observation, application to chemical and biological systems, innovative techniques in computing, and, with our colleagues at the ATC, construction of new ground and space-based instrumentation. Research covers several physical sites at the Kings Buildings, at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh, and at the National e-Science Centre in the middle of Edinburgh. The names listed below are key contacts amongst permanent acadmic staff; many more researchers are involved.
Extreme Conditions Physics & the Centre for Science at Extreme Conditions (CSEC)
Under
conditions of high pressure, temperature and magnetic field, materials
can be transformed to entirely new forms - gases into magnetic solids,
molecular solids into polymers and insulators into superconducting metals.
We use laboratory techniques together with theoretical and computational
studies, to study topics as diverse as complex high-density phases in elements
that are unlike anything seen at ambient pressure; molten elements; ice and
water; solid hydrogen; and hydrate phases in Saturn's moon, Titan. A major
goal is to create wholly novel materials.
Soft Condensed Matter and Biological Physics Experiment
The
physics underlying the behaviour of many soft materials, including putty,
mayonnaise, hair gel and blood is poorly understood yet is central to both
everyday and high-tech applications (drug delivery, liquid crystal displays,
sensors). Edinburgh research in Soft Condensed Matter focusses on structural
arrest, phase kinetics, the relation between microstructure and flow, and
the interface with biology. We make extensive use of light scattering, advanced
microscopies and micromanipulation (in COSMIC),
and work closely with in-house theory and simulation.
For more details visit http://www.ph.ed.ac.uk/cmatter/soft.html
Statistical Mechanics and Computational Materials Physics
We use a combination of model building, rigorous analysis,
and computation to study the statistical mechanics of non-Hamiltonian or
non-equilibrium systems. These include (a) systems undergoing driving, e.g.
colloids undergoing shear, and (b) systems of 'agents' or 'autonomes' who
respond to their environment in a non-Hamiltonian manner (such as flocks
of birds, or traders in a market: see our NANIA project),
and (c) systems that are unable to find their equilibrium state because of
the very complicated energy landscape in which they move, such as glasses. We
also study fluid mixtures, grain boundaries and embrittlement in solids;
adsorption into nanoporous materials such as zeolites, and the behaviour
of solids at high pressure (see CSEC).
Photonics/Biophotonics Imaging, Spectroscopy and Manipulation
Research is concentrated in the Collaborative Optical Spectroscopy, Micromanipulation and Imaging Centre (COSMIC) - a cross-disciplinary centre combining imaging, time-resolved spectroscopy, and laser trapping for advanced characterization and control of materials. The Centre is used by physicists, chemists, biologists and medics to study the properties of complex fluids and biological systems from single molecules to single cells.
(Picture
: A single strand of fluorescently-labelled DNA, attached to a 1 micron
polystyrene bead, which is held by laser tweezers)
Nuclear Physics
Our work has two main
strands. One is nuclear astrophysics, measuring the properties and reactions
of unstable nuclei needed to understand explosive
processes such as novae, and supernovae, as well as the origin of the
elements. The other is the structure of hadrons, assemblies of quarks
and gluons, including an involvement in the recent discovery of the pentaquark.
(Picture : artists impression of nova system)
see http://www.ph.ed.ac.uk/nuclear/
Experimental Particle Physics
Current
activities include the study of matter-antimatter asymmetries with experiments
at CERN and SLAC, the development of photon detector technologies for Ring
Imaging Cherenkov Detectors, and data management and networking tools for
e-Science applications. In the future we will participate in an international
linear collider facility.
see http://www.ph.ed.ac.uk/particle/Exp/
Theoretical Particle Physics
Our interests span lattice quantum chromodynamics,
collider phenomenology within and beyond the Standard Model
and particle physics applications to cosmology.
We build and exploit some of the most powerful computers
in the world to simulate the strong interactions between
quarks and gluons, which form the bound states of hadrons,
for comparison with experimental measurements. We also carry out complex analytical calculations using perturbation theory to obtain predictions for high energy scattering and decay processes in both the Standard Model and possible extensions to it, such as supersymmetric models. Immediate targets are the missing Higgs boson of the Standard Model (Peter Higgs is Emeritus Professor in the
School) and supersymmetric particles. The existence of these particles
could explain several puzzles about why the Universe is the way it is and they will all be searched for at the upcoming Large Hadron Collider facility at CERN. Finally we are interested in particle physics model
building and nonequilibrium quantum field theory in application to early universe and inflationary cosmology.
see http://www.ph.ed.ac.uk/particle/Theory/
Picture : Christine Davies (Glasgow) and Richard Kenway (Edinburgh)
with the UK's new QCDOC computer which is the fastest in the world for
calculations of the strong interactions between quarks and gluons.
Cosmology and Quasars
At the Institute for Astronomy we aim to understand
the overall contents of the universe, and how structure develops within it.
This involves parallel work in theory and observation, combining ambitious
new surveys and large computer simulations. Topics under study include statistics
of galaxy clustering, gravitational lensing, microwave background polarisation,
the formation of galaxies and massive black holes early in the history of
the Universe. (Picture : Virgo project supercomputer simulation
of large scale structure)
Stars, Star Formation and Astrobiology
Star
formation is a central problem in astrophysics, connected upwards to the
construction of galaxies, and downwards to the formation of proto-stellar
systems, planets and ultimately life itself. We have concentrated on studying
this phenomenon in the infrared and submillimetre bands, to see through the
associated dust. Theoretical modelling of the results is an active area,
with an emphasis on protoplanetary systems. (Picture : dust disk around
star imaged with the SCUBA submm camera built at the ATC)
Astronomy and Space Technology
Astronomical
advances are driven by new technology - bigger telescopes, new wavelength
regimes, sharper images, etc, all leading to new discoveries. The PPARC Astronomy Technology Centre (ATC) designs
and builds new telescope systems and instruments for observatories and spacecraft
all over the world, specialising in IR and submm technologies. (Picture
: fish-eye view of new Infra-Red Wide
Field Camera mounted on the UKIRT telescope in Hawaii).
High Performance Computing and e-Science
The EPCC is
one Europe's premier High Performance Computing centres, but it grew out
of the needs of Computational Physics, and is still closely attached today,
building QCDOC, the world leading computer for particle physics calculations.
The tradition of innovation in e-Science and the Grid (distributed computing
over the internet) continues through the National e-Science Centre, with key drivers
in the flood of data from CERN and large astronomical surveys. (Picture
: the Edinburgh headquarters of the National e-Science Centre, an activity
shared between Edinburgh and Glasgow).