************************************ * QUANTUM OPTICS AND ATOM OPTICS * * IN AUSTRALASIA * * * * * * * * MONTHLY NEWSLETTER * * VOL VII, NO 8 * * * * August 1999 * * * * ISSN 1325-6467 * * * Edited by: Bill Munro * \ | / * Physics, University of Queensland, * \__|__/ * QLD 4072, Australia. * | * email: billm@physics.uq.edu.au * | * phone: +61 7 3365 2422 * | * fax: +61 7 3365 1242 Available on WWW at: http://www.physics.uq.edu.au/people/billm/qo.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CONTENTS 0. PROBLEMS 1. ABSTRACTS 2. CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENTS 3. WANTED TO BUY/SELL 4. SITUATIONS VACANT 5. MISC NEWS ******************************************************************************* 0. EDITORIAL NOTE On behalf of John Harvey, I would like to draw your attention to the following important announcement To members of the QO community in Australasia: We are organising a memorial one day meeting to recall Dan's life and achievements and simultaneously to talk about recent developments to which his work contributed. Naturally we would be delighted for any of his former friends and colleagues to attend and/or contribute should they be in this part of the world at that time. The meeting is planned for Monday 13th September 1999 which would have been Dan's 57th birthday. The meeting will start at 1030am, and we plan to unveil a plaque in the foyer of the Physics/Maths building in the afternoon. For more information please contact John Harvey Physics Dept., University of Auckland Ph +64-9-3737599 X8831 Private Bag 92019, Auckland, NZ FAX +64-9-3737445 ******************************************************************************* 1. ABSTRACTS Title: Representations of the Weyl group and Wigner functions for SU(3) Authors: D. J. Rowe [1], B. C. Sanders [1] and H. de Guise [2] Addresses: [1] Department of Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A7, Canada [2] Centre de Recherches Mathˇmatiques, Unversitˇ de Montrˇal, C.P. 6128 Succ. Centre-Ville, Montrˇal, Quˇbec H3C 3J7, Canada Journal: Journal of Mathematical Physics -- July 1999 -- Volume 40, Issue 7, pp. 3604-3615 Abstract: Bases for SU(3) irreps are constructed on a space of three-particle tensor products of two-dimensional harmonic oscillator wave functions. The Weyl group is represented as the symmetric group of permutations of the particle coordinates of these spaces. Wigner functions for SU(3) are expressed as products of SU(2) Wigner functions and matrix elements of Weyl transformations. The constructions make explicit use of dual reductive pairs which are shown to be particularly relevant to problems in optics and quantum interferometry. © 1999 American Institute of Physics. ******************************************************************************* 2. CONFERENCES / WORKSHOPS Bose-Einstein Condensation: atomic physics to quantum liquids. The ANU 13th Physics Summer School. January 17-28, 2000 A two week school aimed at PhD students. Contact: Craig Savage, Physics, Faculties, ANU, ACT 0200 http://rsphysse.anu.edu.au/~ss0105/ss2000.html ___________________________________________________ Second Workshop on Fundamental Problems in Quantum Theory (UMBC, Baltimore, Maryland, USA) August 9-13 Information about this conference can be found at http://www.research.umbc.edu/~eholly/quantum/quantum.htm ***************************************************************************** 4. SITUATIONS VACANT Lecturer: DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS, UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO Ref: AG99/35 Applications are invited for the position of Lecturer in Physics. Candidates for the position should have demonstrated research achievements, especially in the areas of laser and atomic physics. Evidence of capability for leadership of a programme of laser research is desirable, and preference will be given to candidates who have demonstrated success in obtaining research funding. Applicants will be expected to have a teaching record in areas required for the support of the Department's teaching. Applicants must have a PhD in Physics and be committed to excellence in teaching and research. The position is full-time and a confirmation path appointment (similar to US tenure-track). Specific enquiries may be directed to Associate Professor I J Hodgkinson, Head of Department of Physics, Tel 64 3 479 7751, Fax 64 3 479 0964 or email helen@physics.otago.ac.nz The salary range for a Lecturer is $45,000 to $55,500 per annum. Appointment will be made at an appropriate step in these ranges depending on qualifications and experience. Reference Number: AG99/35 Closing Date: Friday 15 October 1999 METHOD OF APPLICATION Further details regarding this position, the University and the application procedure are available from the Deputy Director, Personnel Services, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand (Tel 64 3 479 8269, Fax 64 3 474 1607 or email shannon.oliver@stonebow.otago.ac.nz). Further information about the University of Otago can be found at our homepage at http://www.otago.ac.nz Applicants should send two copies of their curriculum vitae together with the names, addresses and fax numbers of three referees, to the Deputy Director of Personnel Services by the specified closing date, quoting the appropriate reference number. Equal opportunity in employment is University policy. __________________________________________________________ ANU IAS FELLOWSHIPS The Australian National University is currently advertising a series of five to seven Fellowships of two year duration commencing in 2000. The Fellowships are for research in the ANU Institute of Advanced Studies and are competitive across all disciplines represented in the IAS. Details of the Fellowships are available at: http://www.anu.edu.au/rso/awards/IASFell.html The Atom Manipulation Project in the Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering, IAS undertakes research in atom optics and atomic physics, and has developed a bright metastable helium beam line facility and metastable helium trap for this purpose. Topic areas include laser cooling and trapping, atom waveguides, atom lithography, electron-atom and atom-atom collisions, and atom interferometry. Details of the research activities in the Atom Manipulation Project can be found at http://rsphy1.anu.edu.au:80/ampl/atommp We are currently seeking suitable candidates for the IAS Fellowship scheme who have a strong track record in these disciplines, and who would be interested in undertaking a two year research program in Australia. Please note that the closing date for applications for the Fellowships is August 27, 1999. Application forms are available on the website, and applicants are expected to discuss their research project with the School in which the Fellowship will be located. For further information please contact Dr. Ken Baldwin (Kenneth.Baldwin @anu.edu.au), Dr. Stephen Buckman (sjb107@rsphysse.anu.edu.au) or Dr. Maarten Hoogerland (mdh107@rsphysse.anu.edu.au). __________________________________________________________ University of Sussex School of Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Science RESEARCH FELLOW - Quantum Optics Ref 140 A postdoctoral position funded by EPSRC is available in theoretical quantum optics from 1 October 1999, or soon after, for 16 months. The appointment is to work on the project "strongly coupled quantum systems" in the area of non-Markovian quantum dynamics and decoherence in structured reservoirs (such as photonic band gaps). Candidates should hold a PhD or equivalent and have some experience in computer programming. Fixed term for 16 months. Salary will be in the range: £15,735 to £23,651 per annum on Grade 1A of the Research and Analagous Faculty Scales (under review). Closing date: Tuesday 31 August 1999. Informal inquiries and applications (in the form of a detailed CV together with names and addresses of three referees) to Dr B M Garraway, SCOAP, CPES, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9QJ, UK, E-mail b.m.garraway@sussex.ac.uk, Tel. +44 (0)1273 877016, fax +44 (0)1273 677196. ________________________________________________ Photonics Research Opportunity The Optical Fibre Technology Centre, at the University of Sydney, is a major member in Australian Photonics Cooperative Research Centre and seeks candidates for the positions of Post-Doctoral Fellow / Research Fellow reporting to the technical director, Dr Simon Fleming. A new research project is commencing on gain flattened EDFAs based on a novel design using gratings and specialty fibre. The OFTC has state-of-the-art facilities for fabrication of gratings and specialty fibres and has active research projects in these and other fields. You will be joining a dynamic research group of approximately 30 people at OFTC and participating in one of the world?s largest photonics research groups, The Australian Photonics CRC. This successful candidate will design and conduct experiments, analyse data, present reports and conduct specific research with minimal direction on optical fibre and fibre devices, especially amplifiers and/or gratings. Applicants should have a demonstrated knowledge of and experimental research experience in optical fibre and optical fibre devices, preferably including amplifiers and/or gratings. Furthermore, the successful candidate will have a demonstrated record of innovative research on fibre and fibre devices; knowledge of LabView and other programming languages such as Pascal; mathematical modelling techniques and some electronics. Other desirable skills and experience are the following: grating design and manufacture; modelling and experimental experience of long period gratings; knowledgeable about the properties of rare earths on gain flattening and control; optical signal processing; experimental experience in gain flattened erbium doped amplifiers; analysis and modelling of optical amplifiers or fibre lasers; analysis, handling, design and characterisation of application specific optical fibre; and theoretical knowledge of and experimental experience of lasers. The ability to think laterally to solve complex problems; to work to deadlines; to produce a wide range of clear and concise written documents; to use and develop [where required] a range of technical and other computer programs in a networked environment; and to manage small sub-projects without supervision is necessary. Candidates are expected to be team-players in a multidisciplinary group, work under minimal guidance and under pressure in an entrepreneurial environment. Good interpersonal communication skills, appropriate professional conduct, and willingness to contribute to the teaching program within the field of expertise are required. Essential qualifications are PhD in Photonics, Electrical Engineering or Physics and a record of publications in refereed international research journals,conference papers, and reports. Salary within the range: $ 42,869 - $57,523 p.a. All applications should be sent to: the Technical Director of the Optical Fibre Technology Centre ? Australian Photonics CRC, University of Sydney ? Dr Simon Fleming email: info@oftc.usyd.edu.au or telephone: +61 2 9351 1930, facsimile: +61 2 9351 1910 or mail address: Dr Simon Fleming, Technical Director, Optical Fibre Technology Centre, 101 National Innovation Centre, Australian Technology Park, Eveleigh, NSW 1430, Australia Deadline for applications: 30 August 1999 _________________________________________________ POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH POSITIONS - MICROELECTRONICS RESEARCH GROUP University of Cambridge - Department of Physics, The Cavendish Laboratory , Cambridge, UK (Academic) The Cavendish Laboratory is Britain's top-rated Physics Department. Research grant income is #10m annually of nearly #2m is industrially sourced. Hitachi - Wolfson Research Fellowship Ultrafast Optoelectronics Devices. A Research Fellowship on the above topic is available, jointly between Wolfson College, Cambridge and Hitachi Europe Limited. Applications are invited from candidates with a PhD degree in Physics or Engineering with experience in the fabrication and the characterisation of semiconductor optoelectronic devices. Experiences in ultrafast optics or simulation would be an advantage. The successful applicant will join a research group actively working on ultra fast devices for high-speed optical communications. The laboratory is well equipped with facilities for femtosecond optical measurements, device fabrication and numerical simulation. The fellow will work within the Micro-electronics Research Centre and the Hitachi Cambridge Laboratory, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge. The duration of the Fellowship will be two years in the first instance, starting 1 October 1999 or as soon as possible thereafter with the possibility of extension for a third year. The stipend will be within the University scale for post-doctoral research associates, #15,735 to #23,651 per annum. An allowance will be available for conference travel and similar costs. Closing date for applications is 31st August 1999 Web Page: http://www-hcl.phy.cam.ac.uk/ultrafast.htm Applications should be made in writing including a curriculum vitae and a list of publications. Contact Name: The President Fax: +44 1223 335 937 Wolfson College, Cambridge, CB3 9BB __________________________________________________________________________ RESEARCH ASSOCIATE IN DIODE PUMPING OF WAVEGUIDE LASERS Heriot-Watt University - Department of Physics, Edinburgh, Scotland Salary on the scale #15,735 - #23,651 Applications are invited for a two year post for work on an EPSRC-funded research programme on planar waveguide lasers for high average power operation in the 100 to 500 W region using oscillator and amplifier configurations. Research expertise to doctoral level is required in the areas of solid-state lasers, laser diode bars, micro-optical techniques or opto-mechanical design. The research will be in the group of Prof H J Baker. Closing date: 31 August 1999. Reference Number: 139/99/PW Informal enquiries Prof H J Baker, Dept of Physics Email Address: H.J.Baker@hw.ac.uk For application details (quote reference number) Contact Name: Personnel Office Telephone: 0131 451 3475 (24 hours) Fax: 0131 451 3475 (24 hours) Address: Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh EH14 4AS ________________________________ POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE University of Durham - Department of Physics , Durham, UK (Academic) #16, 286 - #18, 185 p.a. The above EPSRC funded post is available for up to 3 years to work on hydrodynamics in quantum fluids. The aim of the project is to gain new insight into the physics of Bose-Einstein condensation, superfluidity and superconductivity using computer simulation. Applicants should have a PhD and experience of intensive computation. Reference: A172B Closing date for the above post: 24 September 1999 Contact Name: Director of Personnel Acad.Recruit@durham.ac.uk Telephone: 0191 374 7258 Fax: 0191 374 7253 University of Durham, Old Shire Hall, Durham, DH1 3HP ****************************************************************************** 5. MISC NEWS