FoNs admin staff visit to Physics

The Physics Department hosted a visit from the administrative members of the Faculty of Natural Sciences on the afternoon of 16 November 2016.

After a fl­urry of preparation, the FoNs visitors were presented with a comprehensive view and plan by our Head of Department, Professor Jordan Nash. He provided a structural outline including the undergraduate population, the postgraduates, research themes, academic staff, collaborative centres, strategy reviews and the proposed forthcoming changes to our administrative staff structure.

The Mechanical Instrumentation workshop opened its doors to the visitors, as well as three Physics labs; The Cerberus and Chimera Laser Laboratory, the Ultrafast Plasmonics Lab, and the Attosecond Laboratory where Professor John Tisch’s discussed his research theme and fielded relevant questions about the impressive high intensity femtosecond lasers.

It was time for informal socialising later on in the Blackett Common Room over refreshments. There were opportunities for hands on demonstrations displayed and explained by Vinita Khanna Hassard, Outreach Liason Coordinator, Dr Simon Foster, Outreach Officer, and Dr Kenny Weir, Associate Head of Department and Senior Lecturer.

‘In/visibility Polarised Light Art’ was presented by Vinita in the form of a screen artfully created to depict a version of Gustave Klimt’s ‘Lady in Gold’ when viewed through a polarising filter. Simon offered viewings through a ‘Spectroscope kit in action'. Using 3D polarized cinema glasses Kenny demonstrated the variation of near-circulation polarisation in Scarabaeoidea beetles.

Our guests were wonderfully entertained by one of our Physics with Music undergraduates, Meri Tan, who performed Bach-Busoni Chaconne in D minor on the Haines baby grand piano. It was a brilliant performance and displayed the height of diverse talent here in Physics.

The visit was an eye opener for all and concluded in mutual good spirits.