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Research group

Quantum, Light and Matter Group

Quantam lights

Our research group examines the connections between physics, chemistry and engineering.

Part of Physics and astronomy

About

Our work aims to advance our fundamental understanding of quantum physics. Much of our research focuses on the themes of nanostructuring, optical control and quantum coherence. 

Our research covers the following areas: 

  • experimental foundations of quantum physics 
  • photonic quantum technology and quantum metrology 
  • hybrid polaritonics and ultrastrong light-matter interaction 
  • advanced materials, nanoscience, and light sources 

We occupy modern laboratories with the latest lasers and characterisation tools. The group also controls the nanomaterials rapid prototyping facility and has access to the University's modern nanofabrication facility. 

Research highlights

Putting quantum computing in the palm of your hand

Space
Future societies and communities
Physicists from the University of Southampton have secured investment for their ground-breaking, miniature quantum device.

People, projects and publications

People

Dr Alberto Politi

Associate Professor

Email: a.politi@soton.ac.uk

Address: B46, West Highfield Campus, University Road, SO17 1BJ (View in Google Maps)

ORCID

Professor Alexey Kavokin

Professor of Physics & Astronomy

Research interests

  • Excitons and exciton-polaritons, photonic crystals and metamaterials, quantum computing, spintronics, superconductivity.

Email: a.kavokin@soton.ac.uk

Address: B46, West Highfield Campus, University Road, SO17 1BJ (View in Google Maps)

Google Scholar

Professor Antonios Kanaras MSc, PhD, FRSC, FRSB, FInstP, FHEA

Professor

Email: a.kanaras@soton.ac.uk

Address: B46, West Highfield Campus, University Road, SO17 1BJ (View in Google Maps)

ORCID

Dr Bruce (Jun-Yu) Ou

Lecturer in Experimental Physics

Research interests

  • Nano-optomechanics
  • Metalens for imaging and metrology
  • AI for nanoimaging

Accepting applications from PhD students

Email: bruce.ou@soton.ac.uk

Address: B46, West Highfield Campus, University Road, SO17 1BJ (View in Google Maps)

Google Scholar
ORCID

Mr Christopher Timberlake

Research Fellow in Quantum Nanophysics

Professor David Smith MA, DPhil

Professor

Email: d.c.smith@soton.ac.uk

Address: B46, West Highfield Campus, University Road, SO17 1BJ (View in Google Maps)

Dr Dmitrii Dovzhenko

Research Fellow

Email: d.dovzhenko@soton.ac.uk

Address: B46, West Highfield Campus, University Road, SO17 1BJ (View in Google Maps)

Dr Elinor Twyeffort

Senior Teaching Fellow

Research interests

  • quantum information and technology;
  • theory of quantum electromechanics;
  • coupled cavity networks;

Email: e.k.twyeffort@soton.ac.uk

Address: B46, West Highfield Campus, University Road, SO17 1BJ (View in Google Maps)

Miss Erika Cortese

Senior Research Assistant

Professor Hendrik Ulbricht

Professor of Physics

Research interests

  • Hendrik's main research interests concern experimental tests of fundamental theories of Nature by table-top experiments but also in space. Some tests are concerned with the large mass limit of the quantum superposition principle, which forms the basis of quantum mechanics. Other experiments are concerned with testing the interplay between quantum mechanics and gravitation in the low energy limit.
  • The Ulbricht group performs quantum experimental research on the preparation and analysis of massive systems in non-classical states by various techniques. They pioneer so-called levitated opto- and magneto-mechanics experiments, where light and magnetic fields are used to both trap and control nano- and micro-particles in vacuum. Please see the Ulbricht group webpages for more details.

Accepting applications from PhD students

Email: h.ulbricht@soton.ac.uk

Address: B46, West Highfield Campus, University Road, SO17 1BJ (View in Google Maps)

ORCID
My research focusses on the interaction between light and matter at the nanoscale.
Professor Simone De Liberato
Professorial Fellow (Research)
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