In the afternoon of the first Thursday, the 16 members of Einstein were introduced to the exciting and technical world of laser physics at the Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering.

After a brief introduction as to how lasers operate and their applications, we were split into groups of three and shown the different labs. The smaller group size allowed for a more individual interaction with the experts and this proved to be a huge advantage when it came to absorbing information about the various lasers.

The demonstrations included:
· Expensive crystals that split laser beams and retained memory using the fundamentals of non-linear optics
· An atmospheric research laser which measures levels of pollutants and ozone and has many more applications - this laser was an invisible yet powerful infrared beam and it was active for bursts lasting only nanoseconds (billionths of a second)
· An integration of yellow, red, orange and green lasers for use alongside some liquid helium (3 Kelvin or -270 degrees Celsius!) to demonstrate the use of quantum physics in laser research
· A strong, invisible laser that analyses a material's composition in an evacuated (vacuum) chamber

ME (Matt), Lauris and Kelly in front of the lasers used for atmospheric studies

In the atmospheric research lab, we tested the invisible laser's activity by placing our arm in front of the laser and receiving what felt like an electric shock. We then focused the laser beam using a lens so that the intensity of the laser at the focus was so great, we could see the laser as a result of the ionisation of the air. Using this focus, we were able to burn our initials into a piece of paper. Our initials appeared to be made of tiny holes that resulted due to the intensity of this invisible laser beam!

For most (if not all) of us, this was our first experience with photonics research. We found out about the future development of computers using photonic technology, and although some parts of the demonstrations were well above our level, we also learnt of the many other uses of photonics in communications and warfare, not just computers and research. The afternoon at the RSPhysSE was very informative, interesting and interactive, to the extent that it managed to hold our attention in our exhausted and sleep-deprived state.

We left the Research School at the ANU with an understanding of recent and future developments in photonics, and an awareness of the diversity in the field of laser physics. Of course, in true ANU style, we were treated to a fantastic afternoon tea and comfy lounges - an example of the hospitality (of which we were most appreciative) that we could have got used to in our visits to the Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering.

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