Physics

Project description

The student will be involved in the designing and prototyping of an optical technique that can operate in microgravity (such as the International Space Station), which will allow us to grow larger and higher quality protein crystals than in gravity. This project takes part of the MBIE Endeavour Project ‘Developing platforms or biological research in microgravity', which will be interesting from a fundamental scientific point of view and have an impact on the pharmaceutical sector.
The student preferably brings along experience in one (or more) of the following areas: (Non-)linear optics, spectroscopy, protein crystallization processes, optical engineering, and/or machine-learning/deep-learning. The student will be working in an interdisciplinary and cross-institutional environment.

Project description

We have developed a Julia code package for simulation of phase transitions (including in extreme environments) with the so-called parallel-tempering Monte Carlo approach over the last couple of years in my group. This summer project is aimed to support the release of version 1.0 and to register the package within the general registry of the Julia ecosystem. This includes looking into improving parallelization of the package for high-performance computation, extending the automated testing suite and documentation with development of example tutorials.
The student is expected to have a good background in computer science and interested in physics problems, some familiarity with Julia would be great but is not required.

Project description

We want to develop a set of Python notebooks for further education of secondary school physics teachers that can also be used in year 12/13 classroom settings. This project builds on a successful development and delivery of a set of 3 notebooks introducing basic programming skills and kinematics in one and two dimensions. The content of the notebooks will be based on topics in electromagnetism on NCEA level 2/3.
This project requires some basic Python skills and interest in pedagogical approaches on how to teach programming in physics.

Project description

The extended Bose-Hubbard model shows a fascinating multitude of phases transitions including superfluid and Haldane phases to insulating ones. A recent study by us using quantum Monte Carlo methods has revealed an unexplored parameter regime that shows signs of new phase transitions. In this project we want to explore this regime further to identify these possible new phases. We use a self-written Julia package of the so-called full-configuration quantum Monte Carlo method. The student would be involved in applications of this code, interpretation of the results and if interested could also be involved in the code development. This research is a collaboration with Prof. Brand’s group from Massey university.

Project description

This is a project in theoretical quantum optics, with particular emphasis on cavity quantum electrodynamics (cavity QED) – the interaction of atoms with quantised light fields inside optical resonators. Our specific interest is in the controlled preparation of uniquely quantum-mechanical states of both atoms and light fields. Such states are of interest from a fundamental point of view and of basic importance in the topical fields of quantum information processing (e.g., quantum communication and computing) and many-body quantum physics. The project will involve a combination of analytical and numerical calculations using simple models and established techniques of theoretical quantum optics.

Project description

Experimental projects are available to study microscale liquid dynamics using high-speed photography (producing cool slow-motion videos). We are particularly interested in drop impact experiments, in which drops collide with solid surfaces. Fluids of interest include partially dried dairy products, and ferrofluids which produce ‘spiky’ magnetic instabilities. Surfaces may be patterned in order to control the spreading, splashing and rebounding of the drops. A project could also focus on development of image analysis techniques.

Projects are suitable for students from any quantitative science / engineering background, and can be aligned with industrial (real-world) applications. Skills developed will include experimental methods for materials science, and understanding of fluid dynamics.

Lab website: https://fluidics.physics.auckland.ac.nz/  

Project description

Projects are available to develop and use computational analysis methods and/or theoretical models to study two interesting soft matter systems.

(i) Assemblies of asymmetric Janus spheres, which consist of two hemispheres with distinct properties. Computational methods will be used to study the relative orientation of Janus microspheres within small clusters. Understanding of how these microparticles can be assembled into larger-scale structures can assist with creation of new sustainable materials.

(ii) Soft microparticles (e.g. cells) undergoing deformation within a constriction. This work is relevant to development of new methods for easily analysing the mechanical (or more fully, rheological) properties of such particles.

Computational / numerical projects are especially suitable for students with some relevant experience.

Lab website: https://fluidics.physics.auckland.ac.nz/  

Project description

Project(s) are available to study levitating droplets in the Dynamic Microfluidics Lab. Drying of droplets as they drift through the air is a critical process for some of the most important scientific challenges of our times, including climate science and the spread of infectious diseases. The student would carry out experiments and/or analysis for droplets held by an acoustic levitator. This instrument can hold a droplet suspended in air while the surrounding atmosphere is controlled, allowing the kinetics of droplet nucleation, growth and drying to be studied.

Lab website: https://fluidics.physics.auckland.ac.nz/  

Project description

Previously, a computational illumination system based on modified consumer electronics was developed for use in a digital microscope. Currently, the system is capable of several different contrast modes, like differential phase contrast or qualitative phase imaging.
To make efficient use of these capabilities, we seek help integrating the illumination system into an existing digital microscope and setting up a graphical user interface for system control.
Skills gained and ideal student: You will gain a deep understanding of modern microscopes and contrast schemes while gaining hands-on experience in programming graphical user interfaces. The Lab work will be completed in the biophotonics laboratory of the physics department (City Campus). Previous experience in an optics laboratory and/or programming in graphical user interfaces would be great but not necessary.

Project description

Even though it is well known that crustaceans, such as the snapping shrimp, use sound for intra-species communication, the mechanics involved in their sound detection are poorly understood. While different organs are thought to be sensitive to sound, no mechanical response to sound stimuli has been recorded yet.

To help fill this gap in the understanding of crustacean acoustic communication, we are developing a depth-resolved laser-vibrometry system capable of measuring periodic displacements on the surface and in the interior of the crustaceans with sub-nanometer precision. This system will be used to characterize the mechanical response of potentially sound-sensitive organs to a wide range of acoustic stimuli.

To reach this goal, we need help designing a sample chamber and conducting measurements in a wide acoustic frequency range.

Skills gained and ideal student: You will gain hands-on experience in various disciplines, including biophotonics, acoustics, experiment design, and CAD. The Lab work will be completed in the biophotonics laboratory of the physics department (City Campus). Previous experience in an optics laboratory and/or with CAD design would be great but not necessary.

Project description

This is an experimental quantum optics project, using lasers and ultracold atoms to generate fixed numbers of photons in a optical cavity. This cavity is a fibre-optic cavity, with in-fibre mirrors and incorporating an optical nanofibre, a stretch of fibre with a diameter that has been reduced to less than 400 nm. We detect single photons exiting the cavity with a single photon detector.
You will work with the team to build new resonators, set up optics, resolve experimental issues and take experimental data for this cutting-edge experimental project. You will learn about fibre-optics, atomic physics and all other aspects of experimental physics.

Project description

This is an experimental project involving a Bose-Einstein Condensate, a gas in which all atoms occupy the same quantum state in an optical trap. We create turbulence by moving a ‘paddle’, which is actually a slab of light, through the condensate. Turbulence is visible through the excitation of vortices, which will be visible as points with zero density in the gas.
For this project, you will work with the team to set up optics and accumulate experimental data on this exotic state of matter. You will learn about lasers, optics, atomic physics, computer control of the experiment and a range of other aspects of experimental physics.  

Project description

Biomedical photoacoustic imaging is a rapidly growing technique that has only reached human clinical use in the last 3 years. Images of blood vessels can be imaged deeper in the body at better resolution than purely optical imaging techniques, opening up many non-invasive applications.

Our group has recently developed a technique for photoacoustic vector-flow (PAVF), which allows the magnitude and direction of blood flow to be detected at every pixel in a photoacoustic image. This is primarily promising for applications where blood is slowly flowing and cannot be measured with ultrasound. For this summer project, we will explore the full capabilities of PAVF through microfluidic experiments.

Our ideal candidate will be keen to learn about medical imaging and get their hands dirty with experiments as well as data processing. Some programming background is helpful (we use MATLAB which is not too dissimilar from Python), but an enthusiasm to get up-to-speed on our experimental protocol and become proficient with our existing data analysis pipeline is key as we take the next step in this project.

Project description

The student will use and modify existing software tools to identify observations of known asteroids in the Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics (MOA) dataset. The MOA survey is a Japanese-New Zealand ground-based microlensing survey which is comprised of images acquired since 2006 by the 1.8-meter MOA telescope located at Mount John Observatory in New Zealand. While the MOA survey was not designed to study asteroids, its high cadence (time between each observation), long baseline (time between the first and last observations), and sizable sky coverage (fraction of space which was observed) is also conducive to searches for objects moving through the Solar System. Faint/small asteroids can be difficult to find using traditional astronomical methods, but it becomes much easier if you cleverly align and then add many telescopic images together. The student will adapt Dr. Markwardt’s existing “Shift-and-Stack” algorithm to work with the MOA dataset in order to produce new images of previously discovered asteroids. Fluency with Python would be extremely useful but not strictly required.

Project description

Gallium-based alloys are receiving growing attention as catalysts, flexible substrates, and electronically interesting materials. These alloys – known as liquid metals – exist as liquids close to room temperature, thus combining the properties of traditional transition metals with the flexibility and self-healing nature of a liquid. As catalysts showcase reactivity, selectivity, and long-term stability that often outclasses their solid heterogeneous counterparts.

In this project the student will perform calculations of the electronic and atomic structure of gallium-alloys. We will simulate these novel materials at temperature, and aim to understand how their structure might change in response to external stimuli. The goal of the project is to tune and design new liquid metal materials for catalytic or electronic applications.  

Project description

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects over 600 million people worldwide and its onset is characterised by micro-scale degeneration that are hard to detect using conventional imaging techniques like MRI. These degenerations partly manifest as a disruption of the collagen fibril matrix in cartilage, significantly impacting its response to external forces. Early-stage diagnosis of OA is crucial for effective management, as invasive surgery becomes necessary at later stages.

We propose using polarisation-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) to study the dynamics of collagen in articular cartilage under compression to better assess cartilage bio-mechanics and degeneration. Using a custom-built compression imaging head, we aim to capture a time sequence of high-resolution PS-OCT images at various stages of cartilage compression.

To achieve this goal, we need assistance performing experiments on animal cartilage of various health grades using our PS-OCT system and compression head. This involves calibrating and running our PS-OCT system, performing experiments, processing of the data to generate polarisation sensitive images and also optimising the experimental protocol.

You will gain hands-on experience in various disciplines, including optics, polarimetry, and experiment design. The lab work will be completed in the biophotonics laboratory of the physics department (City Campus). Previous experience in an optics laboratory and/or with Matlab would be great but not necessary.

Project description

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects over 600 million people worldwide and its onset is characterised by micro-scale degeneration that are hard to detect using conventional imaging techniques like MRI. These degenerations partly manifest as a disruption of the collagen fibril matrix in cartilage, significantly impacting its response to external forces. Early-stage diagnosis of OA is crucial for effective management, as invasive surgery becomes necessary at later stages.

We propose using Raman spectroscopy to study cartilage biochemistry under compression. Specifically, we aim to observe changes in the hydrogen bonding of amide bonds in proteins in response to mechanical loading. Using a custom-built compression imaging head, we aim to capture a time sequence of Raman spectra at various stages of cartilage compression.

To achieve this goal, we need assistance in performing experiments on animal cartilage of various health grades using a Raman spectrometer system and compression head. This involves conducting experiments, optimising experimental protocols, and processing the collected data using principal components analysis.

You will gain hands-on experience in various disciplines, including optics, spectroscopy, and experiment design. The lab work will be completed in the biophotonics laboratory of the physics department (City Campus). Previous experience in an optics laboratory and/or with Python \ Matlab would be great but not necessary.

Project description

We will analyse data from the University of Auckland on the academic pathways (courses, majors, etc.) of students in the Tuākana Physics program, and Māori and Pasifika students more broadly who take physics courses or list physics as a major or minor. The aim of the project is to support Tuākana through an understanding of the pathways and enrolment patterns of MPI students through Physics and other BSc degrees.

A Māori or Pasifika student in any relevant academic discipline, with an interest in education research and Māori and Pasifika student achievement, is highly preferred, as their perspectives will greatly enhance the interpretation of results. Some programming experience is also preferred. We will mentor the student on statistical modelling techniques and data visualization.

Project description

Free Space Optical Communication (FSOC) is the next revolution in high-bandwidth satellite-to-earth data transmission. Utilising infra-red laser light, rather than conventional radio, enables substantially increased bandwidth whilst simultaneously reducing the size and weight of both transmitter and receiver hardware. The critical challenge facing the widespread, commercial adoption of FSOC is requirement of a cloud-free line of sight (CFLOS) between spaceborne assets and optical ground stations (OGS).

Our team currently operates a network of all-sky cameras which provide detailed images of cloud coverage here in Auckland and at OGS sites around the country. We have an algorithm for identifying and mapping cloud coverage during the day, however we do not have the same capability during the night. We are looking for a student to explore various methods of image acquisition, processing and analysis to generate cloud coverage maps of the night sky. This will be a critical part of the FSOC system, allowing us to provide continuous operation.

An ideal candidate would have a background in image analysis, preferably in Python/MATLAB, and familiarity with using Debian/Linux (not essential).

During the project you will be working closely with the FSOC team (and industry partners, e.g. NIWA), and will have the opportunity to learn about astronomy, astrophotography, satellite tracking, and laser communications. Image analysis is a highly desirable skill in both industry and research.