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Physics
Physics research spans both fundamental and applied topics, within which we operate theoretical and experimental programmes. We typically have approximately 45 students studying for physics PhD degrees, and a similar number of postdoctoral researchers.Employers value the analytical and problem solving skills of physics graduates, as well as their specialist, mathematical and IT knowledge. Our physicists are employed not only throughout electrical, electronics and mechanical engineering companies, but also as patent experts, and in financial, environmental and governmental roles.
We have a consistently high level of successful research activity supported by the UK research councils and industry, and have generated a number of spin-out companies to commercialise our research. Some of these projects involve other researchers from within EPS and elsewhere in Heriot-Watt, which demonstrates the wide variety of possible career routes from a physics education.
The major themes are:
- applied optics and photonics
- cold atoms and molecules
- lasers
- lasers in manufacturing (Scottish Manufacturing Institute)
- materials and plasmas
- non-linear optics, dynamics and complexity
- optically interconnected computing
- semiconductor physics
- fast optics
- theoretical physics
- bio-photonics.
