Moyal Medal Presentation and Lecture

The Moyal Medal Committee and the Macquarie University School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, invite all academics and HDR students to attend the lecture and presentation of the 2022 Moyal Medal to Professor Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop from the University of Queensland.

About the Moyal Medal

The Moyal Medal is awarded annually for research contributions to mathematics, physics or statistics, the areas of research of the late Professor José Enrique Moyal.

Professor José Enrique Moyal was Professor of Mathematics at Macquarie University for five years from 1973 to 1977. His insight into the interaction between mathematics, physics and statistics led him to make contributions to these disciplines which have had far-reaching ramifications in all three fields.

More about the Moyal Medal.

ABOUT 2022 MEDALIST, PROFESSOR HALINA RUBINSZTEIN-DUNLOP

Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop is Professor of Physics in the School of Mathematics and Physics at the University of Queensland. She was educated at the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg in Sweden. She is a Director of the Translational Research Program within the ARC CoE for Engineered Quantum Systems and was for 9 years Head of School of Mathematics and Physics. At the University of Queensland Halina leads large research groups in experimental quantum atom optics, laser micromanipulation and biophotonics. Rubinsztein-Dunlop’s group has published over 295 papers that have received over 10300 citations in the world’s leading scientific journals. Halina is also actively involved in popularisation and promotion of science.

Halina is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, the Australian Institute of Physics, SPIE and Optica. In 2018, she was appointed Officer in the General Division (AO) of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to laser physics and nano-optics, to the promotion of educational programs, and to women in science. Also in 2018 Halina was awarded the Australian Optical Society’s W.H. (Beattie) Steel Medal and the UNSW Eureka Prize for Excellence in Interdisciplinary Scientific Research. Halina was the 2019 German and Austrian Physics Societies Lise Meitner Distinguished Lecturer and was awarded the AIP Harrie Massey Medal for 2020 and the Optica 2021 C.E.K. Mees Medal.

LECTURE DETAILS

Title: Sculpted light nano and micro systems

Abstract: Sculpted light refers to the generation of custom-designed light fields. These light
fields can be applied in many diverse fields ranging from interrogating single atoms or atom
assembly to using these fields for optical micromanipulation and optical tweezers as well as
creating new quantum devices and sensors. We consider here the study and application of light
with structured intensity, polarization and phase. We can create custom fields in multiple planes
using dynamic and geometric phase control. Sculpted light can be generated using several
technologies. These are spatial light modulators (SLM) and Digital Micromirror Devices (DMD)
that enable the production of configurable and flexible confining potentials at the nano and
micron-scale, enabling production of highly configurable time-averaged traps. All these
methods achieve dynamical and flexible sculpted light fields and enable imaging of the
amplitude patterns, phase and polarization. These sculpted lights can be used for intricate
studies of light-matter interactions in a variety of environments. I will describe their to trapping
and manipulating nano and micron-size objects with particular emphasis on measurements invivo inside biological cells and for studies of active matter.

The presentation and lecture will start at 5pm, followed by drinks and light refreshments.

Registration is appreciated for catering purposes.