Research

Applied Spectroscopy

Our research in spectroscopy involves using the interaction of light with matter to identify and quantify components within a sample. We address a variety of critical real-world challenges. For example, we’re using these methods for authenticating whisky and other alcohols in sealed bottles, tackling antimicrobial resistance, assess the metabolic activity of developing embryos, and identifying hazardous pigments in old books.

Recent Publications in Applied Spectroscopy:

Imaging and Microscopy

By precisely controlling the wavefront of light, we can image biomedical objects such as tissue and developing embryos, at high resolution while significantly reducing the required light exposure. This translates to less damage to delicate biological samples and faster image acquisition. Our techniques allow us to see through highly scattering materials like biological tissue, and we are also developing cutting-edge hyperspectral methods that enable us to understand both the chemical composition and morphological features within complex images.

Recent Publications in Imaging and Microscopy:

Speckle Metrology

Speckle metrology is a powerful technique that utilizes the random interference patterns (speckles) formed when coherent light illuminates a rough surface. Our group harnesses these patterns to perform highly resolved measurements of properties of light or the environment, such as attometer-resolved wavelength measurements, picometer-resolved displacement measurements and measurements of refractive index changes with <1 ppm sensitivity.

Recent Publications in Speckle Metrology:

Optical Trapping and Manipulation

A strongly focused beam of light can be used to trap and move objects ranging in size from tens of nanometers to tens of micrometers. These optical tweezers have become a widely-used tool in biology, physical chemistry, and fundamental physics and can be harnessed in both liquid and vacuum environments. Our group has made significant recent contributions in the areas of Optically Induced Rotation, Non-Reciprocal Forces, and Optical Binding.

Recent Publications in Optical Trapping: