I am a Professor in physics and part of the photon physics group, which is based in the Photon Science Institute (PSI). Until my recent sabbatical, which began in September 2025,  I was for eight years the Theme leader for Photonics Materials and Devices in the PSI, which is aligned with the 'Atoms to Devices' strand of the Henry Royce Institute (HRI); my work on 2D materials is similarly aligned with that theme of the HRI.

Career history

My doctoral studies in Manchester were sponsored by Urenco plc and concerned the development of lasers suitable for laser isotope separation; a new technique for enriching nuclear fuel. After receiving my PhD, I continued my laser research in Manchester, developing an airborne ultra-violet laser system for environmental studies in the stratosphere and investigating novel frequency conversion techniques.

My next research topic was the photorefractive effect in polymer composites. Initially, I produced a series of publications that allowed the transient photorefractive behaviour of this material to be analyzed for the first time. I then began a successful collaboration with Prof Paul O'Brien of the School of Chemistry, who syntheses colloidal quantum dots - crystals comprising only a few hundred atoms. These quantum dots are a very flexible way of improving the light sensitivity of photorefractive polymers. My collaboration with Prof OBrien has also notably led to the demonstration of ultra-violet lasing from a film of chemically-grown ZnO nanocrystals.

Current research

Currently, my main area of interest is the photo-physics of quantum structured semiconductors, including colloidal quantum dots, GaN quantum wells and, most recently, 2D materials. The applications of these materials are for quantum technologies such as quantum memories and for micro-LEDs.

Publications

To date, I have published over 100 journal papers and presented at numerous national and international conferences. I am the co-author of The Physics of Photorefractive Polymers and contributed a chapter the 'Handbook of Laser Technology and Applications'.

PhD in physics - 1998

BSc (Hons) in physics - 1992

Broadly, I investigate the interaction of light with matter and use the knowledge gained to develop useful material systems and devices, often in conjunction with chemists and material scientists.

In particular, my current interests are:

• Photophysics of semiconductor nanostructures,
• LED development
• Materials for quantum technologies such as quantum memories 

I currently collaborate with the following other organisations:

• Dept of Material Science & Metallurgy, University of Cambridge
• Nanoco Technologies plc

• Photon Physics

I have supervised 16 PhD, 2 MPhil and 11 MSc students to completion. I currently supervise 6 PhDs, principally on projects associated with the photophysics and applications of nanoparticles, InGaN/GaN quantum wells, and 2D materials.