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The University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NZ, T +44 (0)1227 764000
Physics MSc, MPhil, PhD
This is a research programme within the Physical Sciences subject area.
Key facts
- Subject area: Physical Sciences
- Location: Canterbury
- School: School of Physical Sciences
- Duration: MSc one year full-time or two years part-time, MPhil two years full-time or three years part-time, PhD registration three to four years full-time or five to six years part-time
- Start: At any time but preferably in September.
- Fees: More info
- Entry requirements: A first or second class honours degree in Physics or Chemistry. We will also consider applicants with degrees in computer science, electronics, biochemistry or other closely related disciplines. Please also check our general entry requirements (including English language requirements).
Outline
We make every attempt to allocate you to a supervisor directly in your field of interest, consistent with available funding and staff loading. When you apply, please give specific indications of your research interest – including, where appropriate, the member(s) of staff you wish to work with – and whether you are applying for a studentship or propose to be self-funded.
Programme structure
For further information see the School site.
Funding
Every school at Kent offers one or two University postgraduate research scholarships, each available for three years, providing fees at the home/EU rate and a stipend up to £13,590 per annum (2011/12 rate).
Many schools offer scholarships in the form of Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs) whereby postgraduate research students receive financial support in return for teaching. The value of awards may vary, but often cover tuition fees at the home/EU rate and a substantial maintenance grant.
All postgraduate research students are eligible to apply for GTAs. See Graduate Teaching Assistantships.
Research scholarships are available to suitably qualified UK candidates. We offer EPSRC-funded studentships and CASE awards annually. The latter are for specific topics and have an additional payment compared to the quotas. CASE awards must have direct industrial relevance and involvement and may, in certain cases, be for longer than three years.
Funding for Physics projects comes mainly from EPSRC, from joint EPSRC/DTI initiatives, from STFC, from industry, or from bodies such as the Wellcome Trust, NASA and ESA.
For further details of postgraduate funding, see Postgraduate funding.
Further information:
Resources and facilities
The University has good facilities for modern research in physical sciences. Among the major instrumentation and techniques available on the campus are NMR spectrometers (including solutions at 600 MHz), several infra-red and uv-visiblee spectrometers, a Raman spectrometer, two powder X-ray diffractometers, X-ray fluorescence, atomic absorption in flame and graphite furnace mode, gel-permeation chromatography,gas chromatographyhy, analytical and preparativhigh-performancence liquid chromatography (including GC-MS and HPLC-MS), mass spectrometry (electrospray and MALDI), scanning electron microscopy and EDX, various microscopes (including hot-stage), differential scanning calorimetry and thermal gravimetric analysis, dionex analysis of anions and automated CHN analysis. For planetary science impact studies, there is a two-stage light gas gun.
Further information:
Research groups
Applied Optics Group
Optical sensors
This activity largely covers research into the fundamental properties of guided wave interferometers, and their application in fields ranging from monitoring bridge structures to diagnostic procedures in medicine.
Staff
Dr George Dobre.
Biomedical imaging/Optical coherence tomography (OCT)
OCT is a relatively new technique which can provide very high-resolution images of tissue, and which has a major application in imaging the human eye. We are investigating different in-fibre configurations to increase the rate at which images are acquired without compromising the depth penetration. The group is developing systems in collaboration with a variety of different national and international institutions to extend the OCT capabilities from systems dedicated to eye imaging to systems for imaging skin and tooth caries. Distinctively, the OCT systems developed at Kent can provide both transverse and longitudinal images from the tissue, along with a confocal image. The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary is now evaluating a copy of our instrument, which blends fluorescence, confocal and OCT technologies. Another project is evaluating the capability of OCT in the conservation of fine art, in collaboration with Nottingham Trent University, the National Gallery and the British Museum. Spectroscopic analysis using OCT is another area of active research with wide implications in medicine, industry and art, which aims to add spectral information to the depth-resolved information. The group also conducts more fundamental research on polarisation-sensitive OCT, eye tracking and oximetry, which all address different aspects of the basic OCT technique.
Staff
Dr George Dobre, Professor Adrian Podoleanu.
Forensic imaging
The research of the forensic imaging team is primarily applied, focusing on mathematical and computational techniques and employing a wide variety of image processing and analysis methods for applications in modern forensic science. The group has attracted approximately £850,000 of research funding in the last five years, from several academic, industrial and commercial organisations in the UK and the US. The group also collaborates closely with the Forensic Psychology Group of the Open University.Current active research projects include:
• the development of high-quality, fast facial composite systems based on evolutionary algorithms and statistical models of human facial appearance
• interactive, evolutionary search methods and evolutionary design
• statistically rigorous ageing of photo-quality images of the human face (for tracing and identifying missing persons)
• real and pseudo 3D models for modelling and analysis of the human face
• generating ‘mathematically fair' virtual line-ups for suspect identification.
Staff
Dr Stuart Gibson, Dr Chris Solomon.
Functional Materials Group
The research in FMG is concerned with synthesis and characterisation of functional materials, as exemplified by materials with useful optical, catalytic, or electronic properties, and with an emerging theme in biomaterials. The group also uses computer modelling studies to augment experimental work. The research covers the following main areas.
Amorphous and nanostructured solids
Our interest is in inorganic solids (primarily ceramics and glasses) which possess useful functional properties (eg electrical, optical, catalytic) stemming from their composition and/or nanostructures. Our research includes the synthesis of novel materials, the experimental characterisation of their atomic and nano-scale structure and the computer modelling of these structures and associated properties. Understanding these complex materials demands the use of a range of advanced modern characterisation methods. The truly atomic scale probes available to us are X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and X-ray and neutron diffraction. Porosimetry and analogous techniques, such as small angle scattering, allow us to probe length scales approaching microns. Our work relies on access to world-class international facilities such as the ISIS pulsed neutron source at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, and the ILL neutron and ESRF synchrotron X-ray sources in Grenoble (France). Advanced computer modelling and simulation methods are increasingly being integrated with the experimental work.
Staff
Dr Donna Arnold, Dr Robert Benfield, Dr S Corr, Dr Gavin Mountjoy, Professor Robert Newport.
Soft functional materials
One of the most exciting areas of contemporary materials research is the design of ‘soft' functional materials organised at the nanoscale, using organic, organometallic, polymer and inorganic chemistry to investigate the synthesis of such materials. The functionality in these materials comes from one or two properties: (i) the selfassembly of varying constituent molecular or macromolecular sub units; (ii) the incorporation of biologically derived motifs. The materials are being developed as smart adhesive materials for biomaterial applications, self-assembling bioactive, electroactive and drug delivery vehicles and conducting/photoconducting liquid crystalline materials.
The Group's research incorporates a range of synthetic skills (peptide, ligand, polymer, heterocyclic, organometallic and inorganic synthesis), using fully equipped synthetic laboratories with the associated characterisation techniques (FT-IR, UV-Vis, 1H, 13C and 29Si NMR spectroscopy, polarimetry). The group uses a number of means to examine the organisation of self-assembling materials including DSC, DMTA, polarising optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, dynamic NMR spectroscopy and electron microscopy.
Staff
Dr Robert Benfield, Dr Stefano Biagini, Dr Simon Holder, Professor Michael Went.
Theory and modelling of materials
The Group's interest focuses on first principles modelling of rare earth materials, carbon nanotubes and oxides, and classical modelling of ionic solids and glasses. We primarily use first principles simulations to solve problems in condensed matter physics and materials chemistry. In the case of ionic solids, we also use classical modelling to study properties that require computer calculations.
First principles simulations are predictive and powerful tools, giving access to accurate energies and electronic structures. One strand of our research covers nanostructured materials, surfaces, oxides, carbon and water/ice in situations ranging from vacuum surface science to complex nanostructured battery electrodes.
The related applications include filled and functionalised nanotubes, electrochromic oxides, and battery materials. Another strand of research covers first principles simulations involving relativistic quantum mechanics. These are needed to accurately model the properties of rare earth materials and relativistic effects in materials, including superconductivity. We also undertake classical modelling to study time-consuming properties, such as diffusion in ionic crystals and medium-range structure of glasses.
Staff
Dr Maria Alfredsson, Dr Gavin Mountjoy, Dr J Quintanilla, Professor Paul Strange, Dr T Aste.
Centre for Astrophysics and Planetary Science
The group's research focuses on observational and modelling programmes in star formation, planetary science and early solar system bodies, galactic astronomy and astrobiology. We gain data from the largest telescopes in the world and in space, such as ESO's Very Large Telescope, the New Technology Telescope, the Spitzer Telescope and the Herschel Space Observatory. We also use our in-house facilities which include a two-stage light gas gun for impact studies. Staff are involved in a wide range of international collaborative research projects. Areas of particular interest include: star formation, extragalactic astronomy, solar system science and instrumentation development.
Staff
Professor Mark Burchell, Dr Dirk Froebrich, Dr Stephen Lowry, Dr Jing-Qi Miao, Professor Michael Smith.
Show all
|Staff research
Dr Maria Alfredsson: Senior Lecturerin Theoretical Materials
Quantum-mechanical modelling of clusters, surfaces and solids; inter-atomic potential calculations of defects and grain-boundaries; high pressure and temperature simulations; H-bonding.
Dr Donna Arnold: Lecturer in Forensic Science
Synthesis and characterisation of bulk and nano structured novel multiferroics (materials which exhibit electric and magnetic ordering); enhancement of the ferroelectric and magnetic properties of bismuth ferrite through chemical doping.
Dr Tomaso Aste: Reader in Materials
Complex systems and complex materials by using geometrical and topological investigation tools within the framework of statistical mechanics. Recent research activities include: Granular Materials; Amorphous Materials; Porous Media; Packings; Biological Systems; Financial Systems; Econophysics; Data Mining; Risk Management.
Dr Robert Benfield: Senior Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry
The structure and bonding of metal clusters and nanowires; ordered arrays of metal nanowires contained within mesoporous alumina membranes, and nanoparticles of cobalt.
Dr Stefano Biagini: Senior Lecturer in Organic Chemistry
Ring-opening metathesis polymerisations; complex monomer syntheses; block copolymers, selfassembly, properties and applications; nuclear medicine; unnatural amino acid and peptide syntheses; radiolabelling; nanoparticles; surface modifications on silica magnetite.
Professor Mark Burchell: Professor of Space Science
Hypervelocity impacts, the very violent events typical of solar system impacts, including: impact cratering in ices, intact capture in aerogel, impact disruption of target bodies, oblique incidence impacts, astrobiology (survival of microbial life in impact events); solar system dust using impact ionisation techniques.
Dr Serena Corr: Lecturer in Materials Research
The design, synthesis and structure determination of functional materials, in particular metal oxide nanostructures. The ever-growing area of nanosized materials combines chemistry, materials science, engineering and physics to provide new materials which have potential applications in medicine, information technology and environmental science. Research themes include metal oxide nanoparticles for biomedical applications, transport properties in nanoparticles and energy applications of nanoparticles.
Dr George Dobre: Lecturer in Applied Optics
Optical coherence tomography; optical design; interferometric sensors; fibre optic sensors.
Dr Dirk Froebrich: Senior Lecturer in Astrophysics
Earliest stages of star and star cluster formation; structure and properties of molecular clouds; structure analysis of star clusters.
Dr Stuart Gibson: Lecturer in Forensic Science
Digital image processing with forensic applications; computer vision; interactive evolutionary computation (IEC) and cognitive psychology relating to human facial appearance.
Dr Simon J Holder: Senior Lecturer in Organic Chemistry
Synthesis and application of novel polymeric materials; polymerisation of dichlorodiorganosilanes to improve the yields, allowing for the first time the high yield synthesis of a variety of polysilanes at ambient temperatures; synthesis by controlled polymerisations and application of novel copolymers; design and development of novel non-invasive polymer-based optical sensor systems.
Dr Angeline Kanagasooriam: Lecturer in Medicinal and Physical Organic Chemistry; Chair GSK-UKC Collaboration
The analysis of physiochemical model systems for gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GBH), gamma butyrolactone (GBL) and related neurotransmitters, with applications for forensic detection in complex aqueous milieu.
Dr Stephen Lowry: Senior Lecturer in Astrophysics
Comets, asteroids, solar system, spacecraft and remote observation.
Dr Jing-Qi Miao: Senior Lecturer in Numerical Astrophysics
SPH numerical simulation of collapsing molecular clouds; effect of the UV radiation on the Bright Rim clouds; DSMC modelling of the space particles impacts on spacecraft; structures and formation of proplyds.
Dr Gavin Mountjoy: Senior Lecturer in Condensed Matter Physics
Multi-technique characterisation of oxide glasses (including ‘sol gels'); vibrational spectroscopy of silicate glasses; use of X-ray absorption spectroscopy to characterise nanocrystalline transition metal alloys and oxides, including nanocomposite materials.
Professor Robert Newport: Professor of Materials Physics
Atomic-scale structure of novel amorphous (noncrystalline) materials of contemporary interest such as nonlinear optical glasses and ‘sol gel' glasses, which may be catalytically or biologically active.
Professor Adrian Podoleanu: Head of Applied Optics Group
Non-invasive imaging of tissue, especially optical coherence tomography and confocal microscopy; optical sensing; fast optoelectronics.
Dr Jorge Quintanilla: Lecturer/SEPnet Fellow in Condensed Matter Theory
Quantum condensed matter and materials physics; spontaneous Fermi surface deformations in strongly-correlated quantum matter; unconventional pairing in superconductors; complementarity between cold atom and condensed matter experiments; proximity effect in magnetic nano-structures; design of new quantum information-based neutron scattering and cold atoms probes of strongly correlated quantum matter, and novel topological excitations in frustrated magnets.
Professor Michael Smith: Professor of Astronomy
Star formation; molecular clouds; evolution of galaxies; astrophysical simulation; simulation; shock waves; planetary nebulae.
Dr Chris Solomon: Reader in Physics
Image processing and reconstruction; facial modelling, encoding and synthesis; facial composites, forensic image analysis.
Professor Paul Strange: Professor of Physical Sciences
First principles calculation of the properties of condensed matter; the electronic and magnetic properties of rare earth materials, superconductors, carbon and other nanotubes; superatom materials.
Professor Michael Went: Professor of Chemistry and Forensic Science
Chemistry of co-ordinated alkynes; new chelating and macrocyclic ligands with phosphine, thioether and ether donor groups; synthesis of new radiopharmaceuticals; forensic analysis.
Further information:
Contact details
Admissions enquiries
T: +44 (0)1227 827272
E: information@kent.ac.uk
Subject enquiries
Director of Graduate Studies
School of Physical Sciences,
Ingram Building,
University of Kent,
Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NH,
UK
T: +44 (0)1227 823759
F: +44 (0)1227 827558
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