Ifan Hughes
@ifanghughes
Physicist interested in: Quantum mechanics; atoms, lasers and big magnets; data analysis. Author of Opticsf2f and Measurements and their Uncertainties. Cymro oddi cartre.
It is interesting to note how the field of atom optics has evolved over time. Late last century the motion of cold atoms confined by electric and magnetic forces received a lot of attention. The atoms mostly were in free flight. Now, it is the motion of confined atoms that is mostly of interest.
We found a nice analytic result for periodic orbits that repeat after eight bounces or fewer.
We identified periodic objects, and corrected an earlier mistake in the literature (made by a Nobel laureate!). A phase-space analysis provided insight for the periodic orbits that had been missed in earlier treatments of the problem.
Following a matrix mathematical analysis - similar to ABCD matrix calculation for laser cavities - we identified low-loss and high-loss operation regimes. We discovered families of resonances. Atoms on a main resonance reach their maximum radius in the first few bounces.
We looked at the trajectories of cold atoms in a gravitational cavity - where atoms fall onto a curved mirror, and gravity forms the ''other'' mirror in the cavity.
Some context for the Florence Nightingale Prize for Graphical Excellence.
The 2026 Florence Nightingale Prize for Graphical Excellence at @durhamphysics.bsky.social In recognition of undergraduates who produce the most effective graphical presentation of data to illustrate complex physical phenomena in their laboratory reports.
Gigondas Clos des Tourelles, Perrin 2020. Classic gigondas, garnet coloured. Very deep flavour. Interesting battle between fruit and tannins, that fruit won- cherry, strawberry, blackberry and plumb. Sumptuous. #wine #winereviews #winesky
Hot off the press! Transformation of vector modes by the Faraday effect in strong magnetic fields arxiv.org/pdf/2607.15088 Collaboration with @sonjafrankearnold.bsky.social Atoms, lasers, and magnets! 🧪 #physics ⚛️ #optics 💡
Profound and deeply moving immersive audition installation of Ára by Sigur Rós. First visit to the impressive Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities.
One of Côte de Beaune's finest: Chassagne Montrachet Doudet Naudin. Traditional pinot noir ruby colour. On the nose many fruit and spices. Palate has blackberry, cherry, gooseberry. Persistent. Superb finesse and complexity. Paired well with goose truffle risotto. #wine #winereviews #winesky
Greatly enjoyed our Physics department research away day at Ushaw College. The theme was "A 10-year horizon". Two of my early career colleagues gave the talk on behalf of @durhamqlm.bsky.social .
Attended book launch for Cold War Football: A History in Ten Matches By Alan McDougall and Tony Shaw. Looking forward to read the book now!
A moving book. Final 2/3 is an uplifting tale of Doran travelling the world finding Shakespeare first folios. First 1/3 is a profound and moving testament of grief from Antony Sher's death as Doran cares for his husband. Brutally honest account of living with cancer. #SummerReading
Greatly enjoyed the Rochester lecture "Assembling quantum matter one atom at a time" by Prof. Antoine Browayes. Including real-world problems to solve such as location of electric charging infrastructure for cars in France!
Looking forward to host the Rochester lecture on Monday 18th May, "Assembling quantum matter one atom at a time". The lecturer is Prof. Antoine Browayes.
Shakespeare&Brecht trip. Mark Gatiss stunning as Arturo Ui in the worryingly contemporary parable play, Mawaan Rizwan brilliant as sinister clown. Branagh very good as Prospero in a magical and musical (short) Tempest. Ruby Stokes stand out as Miranda. Prospero as a musical conductor worked well.
Picked up 3 books at the RSC shop. All signed by the authors. Should keep me busy for the rest of 2026! #SummerReading
A profound book. Valuable insight into an episodic worldview. Essentially an extended study of Messiaen’s modernist masterpiece Quartet for the End of Time. #RecentReading
All the material for the Fourier Optics course this term is from set text #opticsf2f co-authored with @durhamqlm.bsky.social colleague @etotheipiequals.bsky.social global.oup.com/academic/pro... Part of the PHYS3721 Modern Atomic and Optical Physics 3 module taught at Durham Physics.
If we use a diffraction grating as a filter in the Fourier plane, we realise a replicator! A periodic array of copies of the object is seen in the image.
In this week’s Fourier Optics course we shall be looking at spatial filtering – how a pair of lenses performs a Fourier analysis and subsequently Fourier synthesis in the 4f set up. The importance of the f to f set up with a single lens is emphasised. 🧪 #physics ⚛️ #optics 💡 #iTeachPhysics 🎢
Oes gennych diddordeb i ddarllen am gyfrifiaduron cwantwm, a sut fydd eu heffaith ar eich bywyd bob dydd yn ddofn? Mae gen i erthygl "Y ‘pendraphendod’ all newid ein byd" yn y rhifyn cyfredol o Barn. barn.cymru/en_gb/y-pend...
All the material for the Fourier Optics course this term is from set text #opticsf2f co-authored with @durhamqlm.bsky.social colleague @etotheipiequals.bsky.social global.oup.com/academic/pro... Part of the PHYS3721 Modern Atomic and Optical Physics 3 module taught at Durham Physics.
In this week’s Fourier Optics course we shall be looking at diffraction from 2D apertures, with arrays of identical structures. A quiz to test your understanding of the array theorem. Can you match the apertures to their Fraunhofer diffraction patterns? 🧪 #physics ⚛️ #optics 💡 #iTeachPhysics 🎢