51³Ô¹ÏÍø

At the latest 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Lates, QuEST showcased light and quantum phenomena through interactive experiments and events.

In celebration of Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø opened its labs and lecture theatres to show how scientists understand, develop, and use light. Under standing the nature of light and the unification of electricity and magnetism were crucial steps in the development of quantum theory. One hundred and twenty-five years ago, Max Planck proposed that energy was quantised and could be emitted and absorbed from atoms in discrete amounts known as ‘quanta’. Discrete packets of light energy are called photons, whose quantum states can be put into superposition, entangled, and measured for computing, imaging, and sensing.

QuEST celebrated the fundamental properties and quantum applications of light through demonstrations, dances, and discussions. The programme used molecules to explore photon polarisation, a property of light that can encode information in qubits, and showcased Quantum Pong, a quantum version of the classic game visualising electron wavefunctions, probability densities, and potential barriers. EntangleCam, a quantum imaging technology created in the Department of Physics, uses special crystals to generate pairs of entangled photons, enabling precise medical diagnostics with low-cost visible light detectors.

As part of the funded Q-Chem engagement project, QuEST welcomed colleagues from the University of Manchester, who created a fairground-style Electron Ejector to demonstrate the photoelectric effect, showing how electrons can be emitted from a material when it absorbs photons of a particular energy.

QuEST also partnered with the to lead a light-based silent disco, taking optical phenomena to the dance floor to explore coherence, phase, wavelength, and entanglement through movement.

The name “Diwali” comes from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, meaning row of lights. The QuEST dance troupe formed a dazzling “row of lights,” moving to photonic beats and music generated in the labs of the LCN. Diwali celebrates light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance - and the innovation, expertise, and enthusiasm of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s quantum community shone brightly all evening.

The next 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Lates is on 20 November, when QuEST will explore how quantum physics enables ultra-precise timing systems, super-sensitive detectors, and powerful computing.