Our research

The Physics Department at Heriot-Watt is strongly research oriented with approximately 30 Postdoctoral Research Associates and 40 PhD students at any one time. The research interests are wide ranging from semiconductor physics, optoelectronics, material science and nonlinear physics. To find out more about our research please follow the links to individual research group webpages.

Our work is well-supported by the UK Research Councils and by Industry. We are proud of the high level of repeat industrial contracts that our work attracts.

Atomic, Molecular and Condensed Matter Physics

Select from our research areas below:

• Semiconductor Theory
• Condensed Matter Theory: Mesoscopic Physics
• Non-linear Dynamics and Optics
• Quantum Optics and Cold Atoms Research
• Quantum Photonics Laboratory
• II-VI Semiconductor Growth
• Plasma Materials: Synthesis & Modification
• Ultrafast Molecular Dynamics
• The Free Electron Laser : FELIX
• Theory of Quantum Nanomaterials

 

Photonic Physics

Select from our research areas below:

• Bio-Photonics Research
• Diffractive Optics
• Extreme Light Research Group
• Nonlinear Optics Research
• Open Quantum Systems and Entanglement
• Photon Counting Technologies
• Quantum Information Theory
• Stimulated Scattering Phenomena Research
• Superconducting single-photon detectors
• Ultrafast Optics Research
• Waves and Fields Research

Lasers and Applied Photonics

Select from our research areas below:

• Applied Optics and Photonics
• Optical Diagnostics
• Centre for Integrated Optoelectronic Systems
• The Laser and Photonics Applications

 

Cairngorm Automatic Weather Station

• Cairngorm Automatic Weather Station - data and further details for our weather station on Cairngorm Mountain (1245m).

 

Research Study with Us?

We are continually seeking good candidates for PhD research - details of available projects and start dates can be found on our PhD studies pages. Some research groups provide additional information on their group webpages.