Research
Theory of condensed matter
The research interests of the group span across a range of topics in condensed matter including hard matter (e.g., semiconductors), soft matter (e.g., polymers, colloids, surfactants etc.), surfaces and quantum technologies.
Semiconductor physics
We employ a unique mix of semiconductor theory and Monte-Carlo computation techniques to address issues in existing devices or develop new devices. Current research includes:
- High field transport in gallium nitride transistors
- On-going development of our Monte-Carlo code MC2
- Design and development of THz emitters
Soft matter
Soft matter includes industrially and biologically important systems such as colloids, polymers and surfactants. The distinctive feature of all these systems is the presence of mesoscopic length-scales which necessitates the use of coarse-grained models to access the length and time scales of interest.
Surface science
Our work focuses on the:
- Development and application of high-performance computing for quantum vibrational dynamics and properties of extended systems
- Hydrogen-bonding and weak interactions in biological systems and nanostructures
- Description of molecule-surface interactions
Quantum technology
Specific areas of research include:
- Quantum transport
- Quantum feedback control
- Quantum information processing
- Quantum optics
- Quantum criticality
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Experimental solid-state physics
Organophotonics
The University of Hull is renowned for its work on liquid crystals materials following its invention of the first room-temperature liquid crystal which heralded the advent of the multi-million dollar liquid crystal display technology. This interdisciplinary research continues this tradition and applies semiconducting liquid crystals to emerging application areas, such as organic light-emitting displays, solar cells and plastic electronics. We also have interests in plasmonic structures for enhanced light-emission and nano-photonics.
Nanophysics
Our projects include:
- molecular spintronics
- lab-on-chip nanogap sensors for electronic detection of DNA and proteins
- organic memristors for nonvolatile data storage
- novel applications of conducting polymers
- new methods of nanoscale engineering
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Lasers and light-matter interactions
The research interests of the group broadly cover the interaction of light with matter for scientific, industrial and medical applications. This primarily involves laser sources, meaning the group also studies the generation and delivery of high-intensity light. Below are some of the areas we’re currently involved in.
- Laser-induced forward transfer
- Analysis of laser-produced fume
- Femtosecond laser interactions
- VUV laser interactions
- Enhancing light harvesting in organic solar cells (Daphne Jackson fellowship)
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Astrophysics and gravitation (E.A Milne Centre for Astrophysics)
From the Big Bang to black holes, and from quantum mechanics to the theory of everything, The E.A. Milne Centre’s world-leading experts pursue explanations for the wonders of the Universe and then share their awe-inspiring discoveries with students, schools and the public to ignite the passions of the Einsteins and Hawkings of tomorrow.
Solar and stellar physics
- The magnetic sun
- Stellar nucleosynthesis and cosmo-chemistry
Galaxy and galaxy-cluster physics
- Galactic archaeology
- Galaxy evolution
- Galaxy clusters
Cosmological and high-energy physics
- The early universe
- Large-scale structures
- String theory
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