Research
Research
I work on adaptive optics, and its applications. I am an applied physicist working on the boundary of physics, astronomy, vision science, biological sciences, and psychology.
I lead a Group of around 50 people - the Centre for Advanced Instrumentation, which is one of the Physics Departments 5 Major Research Groups. I am also a member of the Biophysical Sciences Institute and a fellow of the Wolfson Research Institute.
Current and Past Projects, and links to example papers, include
Astronomical Adaptive Optics: methods of reducing aberrations in large astronomical telescopes and related techniques. Butterley et al. 2006, Osborn et al. 2011.
Synchronized Heart Imaging: Producing volumetric images of beating hearts. Taylor et al. 2011, Taylor et al. 2012.
Focus-cue correct stereoscopic vision: (with Marty Banks’ Group), production of a 3D display system which simulates realistic focus information using high speed switchable lenses.
OptoNanoFluidics (with Colin Bain (PI) along with collaborators at Imperial, Southampton, and RAL). Link.
Adaptive optics & microscopy: Building state-of-the-art high resolution microscopes (particularly SPIM - selective plane illumination microscopes) with adaptive optics. Bourgenot et al. 2012. Taylor et al. 2011.
Aberrations & Reading: (With Hannah Smithson). The effect of aberrations on visual acuity is a well-understood - but how do aberrations effect a higher-order (more complicated) task such as reading? Young et al. 2011.
Bioimaging & Particle Tracking: High speed smart cameras for object tracking.
Silburn et al. 2011 Saunter et al. 2009,
Laser Guide Stars: Methods to reduce focal anisoplantism in a laser guide star astronomical adaptive optics system.
Liquid Crystal Devices: Using liquid crystal phase modulators as adaptive optical elements.
Love et al 2010, Kirby et al. 2004, Naumov et al. 1999,
Optical binding: Laser mediated interactions between microscopic particles.
Taylor et al. 2008. Taylor et al. 2009,
Optical micromanipulation: Using liquid crystal devices to steer optical tweezers, and particle interactions within liquid crystal cells.
More info about all of these can be found in my publications page.
Here are all the people in my (sub) Group
Cyril Bourgenot (graduate student) - Adaptive optics & microscopy
Matt Cashmore (graduate student) - Programmable Optics
Colin Dunlop (postdoc) - Bioimaging
Tom Mitchell (graduate student) - Adaptive optics and microscopy
Jared Parnell (graduate student) - Vision Science
Jurgen Schmoll (postdoc) - Bioimaging
Chris Saunter (postdoc) – Bioimaging
Jonny Taylor (postdoc) – Adaptive optics & microscopy
I also co-supervise Alex Hargreaves in Chemistry and David Tapp (Maths) who work on OptoNanoFluidics
You can see all these people’s personal pages here and some pictures of them on my pictures page.