About us

Head of sub-department: Professor Paul Ewart

Atomic physics concerns the study of the smallest stable entities of matter, and the precise manipulation of their quantum properties.  The energy scales associated with the internal structure of atoms and molecules mean that lasers provide an important means to examine and control them.  Research in the Department involves both theory and experiment aimed at understanding the nature of quantum interactions mediated by light and developing them for use in the study of novel non-classical phenomena and quantum-based technologies.

There are sixteen research groups working in some of the most rapidly developing areas of physical science.  these include quantum information processing, ultracold matter, high-intensity laser matter interactions and ultrafast, nonlinear and quantum optics.

The Centre for Quantum Computation embraces the challenge to develop the dramatic promise of quantum systems for information processing.  Several different systems are being studied as candidates for elements of quantum processors, including trapped ions, neutral atoms in optical lattices, photons and nuclear spins in molecules.

The properties of mesoscopic quantum states of ultracold atoms and molecules are being explored, and in particular the unique possibilities for the quantitative study of quantum degeneracy in Bose-Einstein condensed systems are exploited.  In addition, applications in precision metrology via atom interferometry and, more generally, atom optics, are being developed.

At the other end of the energy scale, ultra-high power and ultra-short pulse lasers are used to probe and modify atomic and plasma processes and to investigate non-linear optical phenomena.  The new Centres for Ultrafast X-Ray Physics, and Institute for Experimental Photonics provide a focus for both scientific and technical activity in this area, including the development of new lasers and metrology and links to the wider scientific community.

Theoretical studies of the microscopic physics behind the systems relevant to experiment are a crucial part of the department's research and there are may links between the theoretical and experimental programmes.

Our work is described in more detail under research, and some of our research groups run web servers giving more detailed profiles.

There are about 80 persons involved in research in Atomic and Laser Physics, including 16 academic staff, 25 postdoctoral research associates and visitors, and about 50 graduate students.  Aside from the excellent experimental facilities in the Clarendon, work is undertaken at laboratories around the world including, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire, Ecole Polytechnique in Paris, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory in California, and at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics in New York.

In the first instance prospective graduate students should write or email: alp@physics.ox.ac.uk

Postal Address:
Clarendon Laboratory
Parks Road
Oxford
OX1 3PU

Telephone: 01865-272200
Fax: 01865-272375