Personal statement

I am a member of the Computational Nonlinear and Quantum Optics (CNQO) group within the Optics division of the Department of Physics. I received my BSc (Hons) from Heriot-Watt University and my PhD from University of Strathclyde. I have been a lecturer in the Department of Physics since 2013.

Publications

Free electron laser generation of X-ray Poincaré beams: Morgan Jenny, Hemsing Erik, McNeil Brian, Yao Alison M; New Journal of Physics Vol 22 (2020); https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/ab984f
Degradation of light carrying orbital angular momentum by ballistic scattering: Viola Shaun, Chen Zhaozhong, Yao Alison M, Valyrakis Manousos, Kelly Anthony E, McKee David, Lavery Martin P J; Physical Review Research Vol 2 (2020)
Optomechanical transport of cold atoms induced by structured light: Baio Giuseppe, Robb Gordon R M, Yao Alison M, Oppo Gian-Luca; Physical Review Research Vol 2 (2020); https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.2.023126
Scattering of light with angular momentum from an array of particles: McArthur Duncan, Yao Alison M, Papoff Francesco; Physical Review Research Vol 2 (2020); https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.2.013100
Control of spatially rotating structures in diffractive Kerr cavities: Yao Alison M, Gibson Christopher J, Oppo Gian-Luca; Optics Express Vol 27, pp. 31273-31289 (2019); https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.27.031273
Control of polarization rotation in nonlinear propagation of fully-structured light: Gibson Christopher J, Bevington Patrick, Oppo Gian-Luca, Yao Alison M; Physical Review A - Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics Vol 97 (2018); https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.97.033832

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Teaching

I am the 1st year Adviser of Studies for Physics.

I currently teach 1st year mechanics and electromagnetism in PH183: Mechanics & Waves and PH184: Electromagnetism & Quantum Physics, and optical angular momentum as part of PH562 Adv. Topics in Quantum Optics.

Research interests

My research is based upon the generation and applications of structured light, in particular light carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM). It ranges from understanding the fundamental properties of this light to investigating its behaviour in various nonlinear systems, including demonstrating for the first time the mechanism behind optical rogue waves, to potential applications in quantum communication, ocean optics, nonlinear beam propagation and interaction with chiral molecules.

Professional activities

5th International Conference on Optical Angular Momentum (ICOAM19), Ottawa , June 2019: Invited speaker; 17/6/2019
SPIE Photonics West 2018: OPTO: Invited speaker; 1/2/2018
6th International Conference on Photonics, Optics and Laser Technology: Member of programme committee; 25/1/2018
4th International Conference on Optical Angular Momentum (ICOAM17): Invited speaker; 18/9/2017
International Conference on Quantum, Atomic, Molecular and Plasma Physics (QuAMP): Organiser; 4/9/2017
“Quantum Field Framework for Structured Light Interactions”, Banff International Research Station for Mathematical Innovation and Discovery (BIRS): Contributor; 23/4/2017

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Projects

Doctoral Training Partnership 2018-19 University of Strathclyde | Henderson, Grant: Yao, Alison (Principal Investigator) Oppo, Gian-Luca (Co-investigator) Henderson, Grant (Research Co-investigator); 01-Jan-2019 - 01-Jan-2022
Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP 2016-2017 University of Strathclyde) | Rooney, Liam Campbell: Yao, Alison (Principal Investigator) Cameron, Robert (Co-investigator) Rooney, Liam Campbell (Research Co-investigator); 01-Jan-2017 - 01-Jan-2019
Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP 2016-2017 University of Strathclyde) | Hill, Lewis: Oppo, Gian-Luca (Principal Investigator) Yao, Alison (Co-investigator) Hill, Lewis (Research Co-investigator); 01-Jan-2017 - 01-Jan-2021
Control and Applications of Structured Light and Chiral Molecules | Rooney, Liam Campbell: Yao, Alison (Principal Investigator) Cameron, Robert (Co-investigator) Rooney, Liam Campbell (Research Co-investigator); 01-Jan-2017 - 01-Jan-2019
Control and Applications of Structured Light and Chiral Molecules: Yao, Alison (Principal Investigator); 01-Jan-2017 - 31-Jan-2021
Collective effects and optomechanics in ultra-cold matter (ColOpt) (H2020 MCSA ETN): Ackemann, Thorsten (Principal Investigator) Griffin, Paul (Co-investigator) Oppo, Gian-Luca (Co-investigator) Robb, Gordon (Co-investigator) Yao, Alison (Co-investigator); 01-Jan-2017 - 31-Jan-2020

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Address

Physics
John Anderson Building

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Dr Alison Yao

Senior Lecturer

Physics