My research interests lie in the theory and practice of dynamic optics, particularly the use of adaptive optical elements in high resolution microscopy and ultrafast laser fabrication. My group is based jointly in the Department of Engineering Science and the Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour.
Common adaptive elements, such as liquid crystal spatial light modulators (SLMs) and membrane deformable mirrors, may be used for the dynamic manipulation of the properties of an incident beam of light. This has many useful applications, notably for the correction of any aberrations present in an optical system that may degrade its performance. A primary application area is the compensation of specimen induced aberrations in high resolution microscopy.
More generally I am interested in optical systems for microscopy (mainly for biomedical applications such as neuroscience), laser-based microfabrication, and related areas such as optical tweezers and optical data storage. Most of these projects involve the application of active and adaptive optics for aberration correction, beam control and enhancement of other system capabilities.