Groundbreaking work by Professor Mike Cottam and postdoc Dr. Zahra Haghshenasfard has been featured by the UK Institute of Physics (IoP). The news article appeared in the IoP’s blog JPhys+, which highlights the highest quality papers published in IoP Physics journals to increase visibility of the research. A link to the blog can be found by clicking here.

The paper deals with magnons, which represent the quantized “spin waves” of magnetic fluctuations and are the analogs of photons as the quanta of light. The theoretical analysis explores how quantum coherence can lead to drastic modifications in the magnon properties in low-dimensional materials, such as magnetic nanowires. The work has important implications for applications in signal processing with magnetic devices, magnetic-based computer memories, and fundamentals of quantum computing.

The reference for the journal paper, which was also a chapter in Zahra’s recently completed Ph.D. thesis, is Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter, volume 29, 195801 (2017).

Congratulations Zahra and Mike!

In honour of the department’s computer resource guru, Henry Leparskas’, impending retirement, an intimate lunch gathering was held on Wednesday May 10 at the Grad Club to say thanks and farewell.

Henry has been an invaluable member of the Physics and Astronomy team for 33 years, always willing to help solve any technical issue or volunteer with whatever event was happening and always had his camera handy to capture memories and document milestones for everyone in the department. Henry will be sorely missed, never forgotten and not easily replaced.

Henry’s final day of work will be Friday May 12. Everyone in the department wishes Henry all the best in his next chapter.  Relax, have fun, and enjoy yourself. Happy retirement Henry!