The Australian Institute of Physics SA BRANCH

Enhancing Quantum Outreach in South Australia through Quantum Enrichment Days

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 01:06:22 GMT

After winning the International Year of Quantum (IYQ) grant from the Australian Institute of Physics, Flinders Physicists designed and delivered four Quantum enrichment days to South Australian students targeting school year levels 9- 12, with a total of 171 students participating in the days.

The grant recipients were Prof Maria Parappilly, Prof Gunther Andersson, Dr Darryl Jones, and Dr Pankaj Sharma. Prof Parappilly was the project lead.

The hands-on learning activities were designed and developed in such a way to ensure the abstract quantum concepts were tangible to students. The physicists designed three new major quantum activities with existing activities for the high potential students. The new activities developed included,

1. Measurement of Quantum Constant Using LEDs- In this activity, students measure the voltages required to produce light from different LEDs and use them to obtain a value for Quantum constant.

2. Light, Polarisation and Quantum Mechanics- used light and its polarisation to introduce and investigate how we can describe and interact with quantum objects.

In this activity, students investigated how the orientation of a photons Electric Field, its polarisation, behaves like a quantum state of light, and demonstrate quantum-like properties like superposition and how measurement of the polarisation state collapses the wavefunction.
3. Photocatalysis – Hydrogen Production - Energy Needed to Drive Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production. Students explored that it depends on the wavelength of the illuminating light whether or the chemical reaction to split water is occurring upon illuminating a specific semiconductor with light. The students connect the band gap of the photocatalyst to the energy required to drive the water splitting reaction and the wavelength which the semiconductor can absorb.

The additional activities offered included:

4. Measurement of Planck’s Constant using Hydrogen Lines- Students determined Quantum constant value using the measurements of the wavelengths of the visible Balmer lines.

5. Band Gap of LEDs and solar cells- A simple demonstration of the presence of a bandgap. –students make measurements of the light absorption characteristics of LED’s provided and then apply quantum principles to predict what colour of light each LED will emit.

6. Polarization and Birefringence of materials – exploring how material properties can change the colour of light transmitted through the polarisers.

Supporting regional students to engage with the activities, the first Quantum Enrichment day was held at Kingscote School, Kangaroo Island on August 5. Prof Maria Parappilly delivered major quantum activities 1 and 2 to Year 11/12 Physics students (15)- see the photo of students enjoying the measurement of Quantum constant.

The second Quantum Enrichment day was held at Flinders University on Sept 12. Dr Darryl Jones delivered the polarisation activity that he developed on this day to 42 students (years 9 and 11). This allowed us to receive feedback from teachers and students to refine the activities. The third Quantum enrichment day was attended by 43 Year 11 and 12 students. The fourth Enrichment Day was attended by 81 students (Year 9-11). On this day we introduced our third major quantum activity designed and developed by Prof Gunther Andersson.

During these Quantum events, Dr Darryl Jones (Chair, AIP SA), Prof Maria Parappilly, Dr Bronwyn Dolman (Principal Scientist, ATRAD Pty Ltd) and Danielle Hughes (Flinders Physics PhD student) delivered role-model talks highlighting their journey in physics.

All these events and hands-on activities provided students with an opportunity to celebrate the International Year of Quantum, directly interact with quantum phenomena, discover, and learn more about quantum. See sample comments below.

Photo 1- Year 12 students performing the Quantum Constant Measurement activity at Kingscote school, Kangaroo Island.

Photo 2- Dr Jones explains Quantum activity#2 to Norwood High students.

Photo 3- Prof Andersson runs through Quantum activity#3 with year 10 students from ASMS.

Photo 4- Prof Parappilly runs through Quantum activity#4 with Mary Mackillop Collage Year 11 Physics girls.

Sample Physics Teacher comment

“…Opportunities such as the Quantum Enrichment Day last term offer our students a glimpse to what their futures might be like, and where their interests might lead them in the future. Hence their excitement when you visited us last week!”

Sample Student Comments

“Today when coming back to Flinders and being a part of the Quantum Enrichment Day has allowed me to discover particular interests of mine in physics. Due to the many opportunities I’ve had at the Flinders University I hope to continue down the path of physics in the future and achieve many great things”

“I have been given many valuable opportunities, such as attending the Quantum enrichment day today. This was relevant to the sectors I want to explore in the future, and I feel encouraged to pursue identified interests such as nuclear physics”

“In Year 9 when I first attended the enrichment program held by flinders university I was inspired to continue on with my journey in science. It solidified my interest in physics which led me to selecting it as a subject in Year 11. Today when coming back to Flinders and being a part of the Quantum Enrichment Day has allowed me to discover particular interests of mine in physics”

2025 AIP/IPAS Physics Careers Fair

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 06:30:49 GMT

The Australian Institute of Physics (AIP) and the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) invite you to the 2025 AIP/IPAS Physics Careers Fair!

Are you currently studying physics at university and wondering what comes next? Are you keen to launch an exciting career in physics in Adelaide?

Listen to employers from national & local companies who are looking to hire people just like you:

DST Group,
Saber Astronautics,
QinetiQ,
Minelab,
Fleet Space Technologies,
And more to be announced!

The event details are:
Title: 2025 AIP/IPAS Physics Careers Fair
Date: Thursday 8th May 2025
Lecture: Kerr Grant Lecture Theatre, University of Adelaide,
6:00-7:00 PM Presentations from local industry employers,
Networking and Pizza: 7:00PM - 8:30PM, Physics Room 121, University of Adelaide

Registration: Required. If you would like to attend, please register at the Humanitix link below to ensure there is enough Pizza for everyone:
Australian Institute of Physics: Physics Careers Fair

Enquires: Email to secretary@sa.aip.org.au

Free Public Lecture & Bronze Bragg Awards

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 07:15:59 GMT

The Australian Institute of Physics (SA branch) is proudly hosting the Bronze Bragg presentation and free public lecture:

Title: Could the laws of physics explain not just the universe but also the workings of our minds?
Presenter: Prof Truyen Tran – Head of AI, Health, and Science, Deakin University
Date & Time: Thursday 27th of February 2024 at 6.30 to 7.45 pm
Location: The Braggs lecture theatre, The University of Adelaide (Google Maps here),

Bio: Prof Truyen leads a world-class research team focused on developing competent and human-compatible AI through advanced machine learning. His research explores the fundamental nature of intelligence and reasoning, as well as the application of translational AI to improve health and accelerate scientific discovery. Prof Tran and his team have made significant contributions to the field, with over 160 research papers published. Their work spans deep learning, generative AI, machine reasoning, unifying language and vision, cognitive architectures, and social AI. Under his leadership, the team is driving the transformation of science, healthcare, and engineering through AI. Their projects include efficient exploration of molecular space, acceleration of drug discovery, materials characterisation, battery design and optimization, and automation of software engineering. Professor Tran's expertise and leadership have been recognized through numerous international awards, major research grants, and global collaborations. He holds a BSc from the University of Melbourne (2001) and a PhD in Computer Science from Curtin University (2008).

The Bronze Bragg medals, and merit certificates, will be presented at the lecture. The medals are awarded for highest achievement in Physics in 2024 in the SACE Stage 2 assessments and IB Higher Level Physics, with merit certificates being for students who achieved a merit or a grade of 7.

The presentation and lecture will be held in the Braggs Lecture Theatre, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, at 6.30pm. Members of the public are warmly invited to attend.

Enquires: Email to secretary@sa.aip.org.au

Public Lecture - Light Camera Action!

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 06:00:00 GMT

The Australian Institute of Physics (SA branch) in conjunction with Adelaide Optics Chapter is proudly hosting a free public lecture aimed at high school students and their family members.

Title: Light Camera Action!
Presented by: Prof. Shanti Bhattacharya, Indian Institute of Technology Madras,
Date: Monday 18th November,
Time: Lecture – 5:30 to 6:30 pm. Refreshments to follow lecture.
Location: Horace Lamb Lecture Theatre, The University of Adelaide (Google Maps here),
Registrations: Required for catering. Please register at Humanitix.

Abstract: We are so used to the presence of light in our lives, we probably don't stop to think about it, unless there's a storm and a power cut! What most people don't realise is that light is used today for so much more than illumination. In this talk, I'll introduce some concepts that demonstrate how light has transformed our lives. I invite you on this short journey with me but be warned... I travel light!

Bio: Shanti Bhattacharya obtained her PhD in Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, in 1997. She was awarded the Alexander von Humboldt award in 1998 and worked at the Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany for several years. She subsequently joined Analog Devices, Cambridge, USA, where she worked as a design engineer. She is currently a Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Madras. She has served on the board of OSA (now called Optica) and is currently an Associate Editor of Optical Engineering and the Journal of Optical Microsystems. Her current research interests are meta and diffractive optics, optical MEMS and studies relating to imaging techniques.

Enquires: Email to secretary@sa.aip.org.au

SA Branch AGM and End of Year Dinner

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 03:00:00 GMT

Dear Members,

You are invited to the Australian Institute of Physics (AIP) SA Branch 2024 Annual General Meeting and end of year dinner held in the Ivy Room at the Maylands Hotel on the 26th of November 2024.

The agenda for the evening is as follows:

6:00 pm – Pre-meeting drinks
6:30 pm – Annual General Meeting
7:30 pm – Annual Dinner

The AIP (SA Branch) Annual General Meeting will start at 6:30 pm (pre-meeting drinks from 6:00 pm). Nomination of the 2025 committee will be included as part of the proceedings. Please see the attached letter for details of the current committee’s nominations for the 2025 committee.

Dinner will be from 7.30 pm, following the main course we will have an after-dinner speaker (TBC).

Meals to be ordered and paid on arrival from the hotel's menu.

Please register for the event via Humanitix.

AIP/IPAS Physics Careers Night

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 05:11:20 GMT

AIP/IPAS Physics Careers Night
Pizza & networking with experts with careers in physics and local employers of Physicists and STEM professionals.

Do you know school students curious about Science and Physics? Are they wondering what careers can come from studying Physics? Are they thinking about studying Physics in Year 11, Year 12, or University? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then please pass on the following information, as the AIP/IPAS Physics Careers Night will satisfy their curiosity and queries.

Listen to the experts in their fields who have used their physics education to leap into exciting and rewarding careers.

Hear from local organisations and companies who hire Physics graduates:

Afterwards, enjoy FREE PIZZA over networking with these local employers.

Date: Wednesday 25th September 2024
Time: Lecture: 6:00 - 7:00 PM - Horace Lamb Lecture Theatre
Networking: 7:00 - 8.30 PM - Hub Mezzanine
Location: The University of Adelaide: North Terrace Campus
Registration: HUMANITIX registration required!
Enquires: Email to secretary@sa.aip.org.au

Proudly hosted by Australian Institute of Physics SA Branch and the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing

Claire Corani Memorial Lecture and Award Ceremony

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 04:46:47 GMT

The SA Branch of the AIP warmly invite you to join us for the Claire Corani Memorial free Public Lecture. This year, the presenter is Professor Susan Coppersmith from the University of New South Wales, presenting her talk “What Do Theoretical Physicists Do?” as part of the AIP Women in Physics tour.

The Claire Corani Memorial Prizes in Physics recognising the highest achieving woman in second year physics at each of the universities of South Australia will also be presented during the event.

Presenter: Professor Susan Coppersmith
Title: What do theoretical physicists do?
Date and Time: Wednesday 14 August at 6:30pm
Location: Horace Lamb Lecture Theatre, The University of Adelaide
Registration: RSVPs encouraged via Humanitix

Mid-Year Dinner & Awards Night - AIP SA Branch

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 04:42:54 GMT

The mid-year dinner and awards night is coming up! Come along for an informal evening with your fellow physicists including students, academics, and researchers. Arrive at 6:00 pm with the dinner commencing at 6:30 pm.

Date and Time: Tuesday 30th July 2024 at 6:00 pm
Location: The British Hotel
Registration: AIP-SA Mid-Year Dinner | Humanitix

We will be presenting the Excellence in Physics Teaching award – presented to a Physics teacher who has had a positive impact on teaching Physics to students at the high-school level. We will also present the Silver Bragg Awards – presented to the top final-year students who have completed a Bachelor of Science degree in 2023 with a major in Physics.

Meals to be purchased individually on the night. The first 10 student members to sign up will receive $20 off their meals. Please book via Humanitix at: AIP-SA Mid-Year Dinner | Humanitix

2024 AIP/IPAS Physics Careers Fair - Adelaide

Tue, 14 May 2024 05:01:18 GMT

The Australian Institute of Physics (AIP) and the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) invite you to the 2024 AIP/IPAS Physics Careers Fair!

Are you currently studying physics at university and wondering what comes next? Are you keen to launch an exciting career in physics in Adelaide?

Listen to employers from over 7 national & local companies who are looking to hire people just like you!

The event details are:
Title: 2024 AIP/IPAS Physics Careers Fair
Date: Wednesday 29^th May 2024
Lecture: Horace Lamb Lecture Theatre, University of Adelaide,
6:00-6:30 PM Live stream from national employers,
6:30-7:15 PM Presentations by local employers,
Networking and Pizza: 7:15PM - 8:30PM, Mezzanine (The Hub), University of Adelaide

Registration: Required. If you would like to attend, please register at the Humanitix below to ensure there is enough Pizza for everyone.
AIP/IPAS Physics Careers Fair (South Australia) | Humanitix

Enquires: Email to secretary@sa.aip.org.au

Public Lecture: International Day of Light - A Trip on the Light Fantastic

Thu, 09 May 2024 05:20:18 GMT

Bronze Bragg awards and an attosecond lecture

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 22:00:00 GMT

Top scoring year 12 physics students from 2023 Allegra Kleinig and Rianna Herring were awarded Bronze Bragg medals at the AIP SA Branch’s annual Bronze Bragg Presentation and Lecture.

Congratulations to both of the students, for their hard work and well-deserved achievements.

The Bronze Bragg medals go to the top scoring year 12 physics students from 2023.

(From left to right: Allegra Kleinig, Prof Robert Sang, Rianna Herring, Dr Stephen Warren-Smith.)

Prof Robert Sang gave a lecture on attosecond science: the dynamics of lasers and atoms at one billion-billionth of a second.

Prof Sang investigates the dynamics of electrons in atoms and molecules and ultra-short laser pulses at this timescale to test fundamental quantum theories and develop new x-ray sources.

Free Public Lecture: How to use a time machine to study atomic physics

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 12:25:29 GMT

How to use a time machine to study atomic physics

Presented by: Prof. Robert Sang, Griffith University

Date & Time: Monday 19^th of February 2024 at 6.30 to 7.45 pm

Location: The Braggs lecture theatre, The University of Adelaide

Abstract: In this talk I will give a background into the world of ultrafast laser science with an emphasis on the application to study attosecond science. I will talk about the 2023 Nobel Prize in physics and use some examples of attosecond science research from my own laboratory in the study of atomic physics.

Bio: Professor Robert Sang is the Dean Academic of the Griffith Sciences Group. Professor Sang is an experimental quantum physicist and he co-founded the Attosecond Science Group at Griffith University. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed research articles in the discipline of atomic physics and his current research involves the applications of ultra-short laser pulses of light to the experimental observation of the dynamics of electrons in atoms and molecules which occurs at the time scale of attoseconds (one attosecond is a billion-billionth of a second). The outcomes of this research are diverse and ranges from the development of new coherent x-ray sources, the testing of fundamental quantum theories, to applications in structure determination of complex molecules. Prof Sang has held posts as a Max-Planck Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics in Munich, ARC Postdoctoral Fellowship and visiting scientist to the University of Electro-Communications in Tokyo.

The Bronze Bragg medals, and merit certificates, will be presented at the lecture. The medals are awarded for highest achievement in Physics in 2023 in the SACE Stage 2 assessments and IB Higher Level Physics, with merit certificates being for students who achieved a merit or a grade of 7.

The presentation and lecture will be held in the Braggs Lecture Theatre, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, at 6.30pm. Members of the public are warmly invited to attend.

AGM and End of Year Dinner

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 11:46:49 GMT

Dear Members,

You are invited to the Australian Institute of Physics (AIP) SA Branch 2023 Annual General Meeting and end of year dinner held in the Ivy Room at the Maylands Hotel.

The agenda for the evening is as follows:

6:00 pm Pre-meeting drinks

6:30 pm Annual General Meeting

7:30 pm Annual Dinner

The AIP (SA Branch) Annual General Meeting will start at 6:30 pm (pre-meeting drinks from 6:00 pm). Nomination of the 2024 committee will be included as part of the proceedings. Please see the attached letter for details of the current committee’s nominations for the 2024 committee.

Dinner will be from 7.30 pm, following the main course we will have an after-dinner speaker (TBC).

Meals to be ordered and paid on arrival from the hotel's menu.

Please register for the event via Humanitix.

ASSA - AIP: Free Public Lecture

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 08:48:44 GMT

The Astronomical Society of South Australia (ASSA) and Australian Institute of Physics (AIP) SA Branch are holding a joint public lecture as part of an ASSA monthly meeting. This meeting is being held in-person and is open to the general public.

Speaker: Professor David Ottaway

Date & Time: Wednesday 4^th of October 2023 at 8:00pm to 9:30pm

Location: The Braggs Lecture Theater, The University of Adelaide (map here)

Meeting Agenda:

Gravitational Wave Astronomy Now and Looking to the Future
Announcements & Upcoming Events
Close at 9:30pm

Abstract: It has been 8 years since the first direct detection of gravitational waves (GW) occurred almost 100 years after Einstein predicted their existence a century beforehand. Since that time the first three GW observing runs have detected 90 detections. After a period of downtime to install the instruments upgrades the twin LIGO detectors have commenced its 4th observing runs and significant GW events are now being observed weekly. In this talk I will describe the instrument science that makes these amazing detectors operate and the exciting new astrophysics results that they enable. I will also describe the plans for the next generation of detectors that are being planned for operation starting towards the end of the next decade.

Bio: Professor David Ottaway is a Professor and current Head of Physics at The University of Adelaide. He has spent the vast majority of his career developing optical systems for gravitational wave detectors and other forms of extreme remote sensing. He is principally an instrument scientist who has a keen interest in the amazing Astrophysics that GW Astronomy enables. He is also a Chief Investigator and Node Leader in new funded Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence in Gravitational Wave Astronomy.

Attend In-Person: This is a free public event. A theatre ticket is NOT required for this meeting. Just roll up.

Finding the Venue: The Braggs LT entrance faces the Barr Smith Lawns and is located at E10 on the map.

Watch Live Online: (no ticket required): YouTube or Facebook. Please Subscribe to the ASSA YouTube channel and turn ON Notifications to be instantly notified of our live broadcasts.

AIP/IPAS Physics Industry Night

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 06:30:00 GMT

Pizza & Networking with local employers of Physicists and STEM professionals.

Curious about Science and Physics? Wondering what careers can come from studying Physics? Not sure if you should choose to study Physics in Year 11, Year 12, or University? The AIP/IPAS Physics Industry Night will satisfy your curiosity and queries.

Listen to the experts in their fields who have used their physics education to leap into exciting and rewarding careers.

Hear from local organisations and companies who hire Physics graduates:

Afterwards, enjoy FREE PIZZA over networking with these local employers.

Date: Tuesday 26th September 2023
Time: Lecture: 6:00 - 7:00 PM - The Braggs Lecture Theatre
Networking: 7:00 - 8.30 PM - Hub Mezzanine
Location: The University of Adelaide
Registration: EVENTBRITE registration required!
Enquires: Email to aip_branchsecretary_sa@aip.org.au

Proudly hosted by Australian Institute of Physics SA Branch and the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing

Hint of the Existence of a BSM Particle: A Dark Photon

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 06:00:00 GMT

Congratulations to Tony Thomas for getting a paper published in the Journal of High Energy Physics

The existence of dark matter has been firmly established from its gravitational interactions, yet its precise nature continues to elude us despite the best efforts of physicists around the world. The key to understanding this mystery could lie with the dark photon, a theoretical massive particle that may serve as a portal between the dark sector of particles and regular matter. In our recent work, a collaboration between CSSM, the Adelaide node of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics and Jefferson Laboratory, we study the potential effects a dark photon could have on the interpretation of existing experimental results from the deep inelastic scattering process. Specifically, we make use of the state-of-the-art Jefferson Angular Momentum collaboration (JAM) global analysis framework for parton distribution functions, modifying the underlying theory to allow for the effect of a dark photon. We show that the dark photon hypothesis is preferred over the Standard Model hypothesis at a significance of 6.5 sigma, which constitutes strong evidence, albeit indirect, for a particle discovery.

Profile likelihood showing preferred regions for the dark photon mass and mixing parameter. This suggests that the Standard Model is disfavoured at 6.5σ.

Mind-Bending Light at Science Alive!

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 02:10:56 GMT

Science Alive! is the largest, single, interactive, mobile science exhibition in Australia, which has been running since 2006.

This year, for the first time, the South Australian branch of the AIP (AIP SA) participated in the event, offering ‘Mind-Bending Light’ – a series of hands-on optics demonstrations – amongst the 80 interactive exhibits at the Adelaide Showgrounds from August 4-6.

“The motivation behind the development of these activities is to inspire the next generation of physicists in Australia with fun, hands-on activities,” said Dr Chris Perrella, AIP SA Secretary and co-developer of the activities.

The activities were a hit, with over 750 visitors to the exhibit over the three days, aged from 4 to 18 years old.

The activities included:

Laser Playpen – where a series of mirrors, prisms and gratings are used to align a laser onto a receiver and play music via a “Laser Radio”
Jelly Waveguides – where different shaped jellies and a ‘light dragon’ are used to re-direct laser light onto different detectors, illustrating the principles of total internal reflection and optical fibres.
Absorbing Light – where different coloured lasers and jellies are used to demonstrate the meaning of colours.

This would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the AIP SA branch members, with 12 volunteers assisting for a total of 75 hours, 27 battery changes, and more than 30 packets of jelly used.

“The SA Branch is already planning a repeat performance for 2024, as Science Alive! represents a fantastic opportunity to engage with and excite the general public about physics,” says AIP SA Branch Chair, Stephen Warren-Smith.

August was a busy month for the AIP SA Outreach team, also running workshops using these activities as part of the 70^th Conference of the Australian Science Teachers Association (CONASTA) and the Flinders University STEM Enrichment Academy in July 2023.

AIP SA thanks SASTA/The Oliphant Science Awards for hosting the Mind-Bending Light station, as well as the OptoFab node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility for providing 3D printing services, The University of Adelaide for assistance developing the Laser Radios, and the Adelaide Optica Student Chapter for providing additional volunteers.

For additional information please contact the AIP SA Branch Treasurer at treasurer@sa.aip.org.au.

AIPSA/Adelaide Optical Student Chapter volunteers Darryl Jones, Sabrina Slimani, Ben Sparkes and Harry Noel Lees excited to welcome their first visitors of the day at Science Alive!

AIPSA Secretary Chris Perrella explaining the Laser Playpen activity to eager participants at Science Alive!

Adelaide Optical Student Chapter President Gabriel Britto Monteiro demonstrating the Jelly Waveguide activity at Science Alive!

Claire Corani Memorial Public Lecture - Women in Physics Lecture Tour

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 07:45:49 GMT

The Australian Institute of Physics (SA branch) is proudly hosting the Claire Corani Memorial Public Lecture as part of the Women in Physics national lecture tour:

Nano-magnets: new materials to address biomedical and technological problems.
Presented by: Dr Karen Livesey
Date & Time: Wednesday 6^th of September 2023 at 6.30 to 7.45 pm
Location: Horace Lamb lecture theatre, The University of Adelaide (map here)

Abstract: Tiny magnets that are one thousand times smaller than the width of a human hair are starting to be used in technologies all around us, including cancer treatments, medical imaging and even self-repairing paints. Magnets that are shrunk down to the nanoscale behave very differently to the large ones that you have on your fridge, allowing a whole new set of materials to be designed to answer important technological problems. Come along to hear how a theoretical physicist studies nano-magnets and what exciting problems are currently being solved.

Bio: Dr Karen Livesey was the first in her family to finish high school and studied Physics at the University of Western Australia, completing a PhD in 2010. For almost 10 years she worked at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs reaching the rank of Associate Professor. While the covid-19 pandemic was raging, she moved to Newcastle NSW with her family in 2020. She is currently a Senior Lecturer of Physics at the University of Newcastle, and an Associate Investigator at the ARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low Energy Electronic Technologies. Karen has won teaching awards and research grants in the US, Canada, the UK and Australia. In 2023 she is a national Superstar of STEM (Science and Technology Australia) and the AIP Women in Physics lecturer (Australian Institute of Physics).

The Claire Corani Memorial Prize will be presented at the lecture, for high achievement at second year level physics in 2022 at a South Australian University.

Physics Jobs Fair 2023

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 01:22:16 GMT

On Wednesday 17 May, The Australian Institute of Physics (AIP) South Australia Branch in conjunction with Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) co-hosted the inaugural Physics Jobs Fair 2023.

This event gave university students the opportunity to engage with 10 companies who are seeking to locally employ physicists. Over 50 undergraduate and HDR students heard a short presentation from each of the companies which was followed by a networking event over pizza and drinks.

Thank you to the companies who attended: DST Group, CSIRO, Ellex, Ziltek, Babcock, Shoal Group, QuantX Labs, Fleet Space Technologies, QinetiQ and Norseld.

And special thanks to the small group of volunteers who made it all happen!

Bronze Bragg Presentation and Lecture: All Welcome!

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 09:41:45 GMT

“A Brief History of Entanglement (and Photons)”

6:30 pm, Wednesday 22^nd February 2023

Horace Lamb Lecture Theatre

The University of Adelaide (North Terrace campus)

A/Prof Jacqui Romero

Reader and Westpac Research Fellow,
University of Queensland

I will tell the story of the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics. I will talk about entanglement: its importance and implications. I will talk about photons and their instrumental role in the important experiments that established the reality (aha!) of entanglement.

Bio: Dr Jacqui Romero is an expert in experimental quantum information. Her research is focused on using higher-dimensional systems for exploring curious quantum physics phenomena and developing future quantum technologies. She is the group leader of the research team Qudits@UQ. Jacqui was born and bred in Manila, Philippines. Hearing her high school physics teacher complain about quantum physics, she became curious and googled "quantum physics"—she has been hooked ever since. She holds BS Applied Physics magna cum laude and MS Physics degrees from the University of the Philippines. She finished her PhD at the University of Glasgow (in sunny Scotland!) where she was a researcher for seven years. In 2015, she moved to Brisbane to join the Quantum Technology group at the University of Queensland. In 2016 she took up an ARC DECRA fellowship with the same group. In 2019, she took up a Westpac Research Fellowship and formed her own team, Qudits@UQ. Jacqui is recognised for moving the shape of photons to mainstream quantum information. She is currently an associate professor and Westpac Research Fellow. She is also a chief investigator at the Centre of Excellence For Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS).

The Bronze Bragg medals and merit certificates will be presented at the lecture.

The medals are awarded for highest achievement in Physics in 2022 in the SACE Stage 2 assessments and IB Higher Level Physics, with certificates being for students who achieved a merit or a grade of 7.

For additional information please contact the SA AIP Branch Secretary:
aip_branchsecretary_sa@aip.org.au +61 8 8313 2323 (W)

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND DINNER

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 11:58:21 GMT

To be held on Wednesday Nov. 30th in the Public Schools Club, 207 East Terrace, Adelaide:

6:00 pm Pre-meeting drinks

6:30 pm Annual General Meeting

7:30 pm Annual Dinner

Menu: 3 courses, alternate drop of one of each. (See menu below).

We need to give seven days' notice for vegans, vegetarians and or any other dietary considerations (lactose free, peanut allergy, gluten-free).

Bookings for the dinner are essential and should be made with Dr Laurence Stamatescu by Wednesday November 23rd, by email to lstamatescu@gmail.com

The cost of the 3-course dinner (to be paid on the night) is:

AIP members and guests: $75 per person

AIP student members: $40 per person

The mid-dinner speaker will be Professor Glen Solomon,

Hicks Chair of Quantum Materials, The University of Adelaide

MENU
SANDFORD HOUSE DINING

ENTREÉ

Pan Fried Halloumi

Salt and Pepper Squids

MAIN

Sirloin Char Grilled, Mash Potato – Greens – Red Wine Jus

Barramundi, Broccoli & Cauliflower Gratin – Citrus Sauce

DESSERT

Chocolate Paradise, White Chocolate Ice Cream – Whipped Cream & Choc Sauce

Mini Fruit Pavlovas, Whipped Vanilla Cream

Free Public Lecture: Mars: A Space Radiation Odyssey

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 12:22:54 GMT

Radiation protection is critical for the future human exploration of Mars. Learn about the health hazards and current research in Australia.

Attend In-Person: Click here for Tickets. Theatre tickets are only required if you wish to attend this meeting in-person. Tickets are FREE and can be obtained online via Eventbrite. Ticket numbers may be limited to ensure compliance with SA Govt indoor seating restrictions. Please cancel your tickets if you are unable to attend in-person.

About this event

Members of the general public are most welcome to attend this joint meeting of the Astronomical Society of South Australia (ASSA) and the Australian Institute of Physics (AIP).

Speaker: A/Prof Susanna Guatelli, Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong

Abstract: Human missions to Mars have been identified as a main goal of human exploration by the International Space Exploration Coordination Group in 2013. The roadmap to the human exploration of Mars started with the International Space Station mission about twenty years ago and is envisaged to continue with a human outpost on the Moon and finally with a mission to Mars within the next twenty years. A human mission to Mars would expose astronauts to serious health hazards, including acute and late risks caused by exposure to cosmic radiation, eventually leading to cancer and death. The design of shielding solutions and of powerful and accurate radiation monitoring systems are subjects of research to facilitate the human exploration of the Solar System. However, the testing of proposed novel technologies is limited on Earth as there are no accelerator facilities capable to reproduce the complex cosmic radiation field the astronauts would encounter in space. In the past fifteen years, Monte Carlo simulations, capable to describe cosmic radiation interactions in space mission habitats and in astronauts, demonstrated to be an extremely useful tool for radiation protection studies of astronauts. This seminar will begin with a description of the health hazards in astronauts caused by cosmic radiation and of Monte Carlo simulations for space exploration. The speaker will then illustrate her research in this field aimed to develop simulation tools to improve the prediction of health hazards in astronauts.

Bio: A/Prof Guatelli trained as a nuclear physicist at the University of Genova, Italy. In 2003 she had the opportunity to undertake a PhD in physics, based at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). Her enthusiasm for medical physics drove her to study possible radiation protection solutions for human mission to Mars (a project led by the European Space Agency) as her PhD research topic. In 2007 she moved to Australia and since 2009 she has been an academic at the School of Physics, University of Wollongong where she is the academic director of the Medical Radiation Physics Bachelor Degree. She is an internationally recognised expert of Monte Carlo simulations for medical applications, including radiation protection of astronauts. In 2021 she was awarded with the prestigious Women in Physics Award of the Australian Institute of Physics, which celebrates female physicists that have made a significant contribution to research in physics. In 2022 she became a member of the ARC (Australian Research Council) Panel of experts. Susanna has been chair/co-chair of several international workshops and conference sessions dedicated to Monte Carlo codes applied to medical physics. She is Associate Editor of Physica Medica and of Applied Radiation and Isotopes.

More Info: https://scholars.uow.edu.au/display/susanna_guatelli

The Claire Corani Memorial Lecture - Impacts! Rocks from space colliding with planets

Sun, 28 Aug 2022 13:19:50 GMT

Presented by Associate Professor Katarina Miljkovic,
Space Centre & Technology Centre, School of Earth and Planetary Science, Curtin University

6:30-7:45 PM Tuesday 6th September

in The Braggs lecture theatre, The Braggs building
The University of Adelaide (North Terrace Campus)

Please register at:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/impacts-rocks-from-space-colliding-with-planets-tickets-407387315427

AIP/IPAS Physics Industry Night

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 11:27:04 GMT

The SA Branch of the Australian Institute of Physics (AIP) and the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) invite you to the 2022 AIP/IPAS Physics Industry Night!

Curious about Science and Physics? Wondering what careers can come from studying Physics? Not sure if you should choose to study Physics in year 11, year 12 or University?

Hear from six local organisations and companies who hire Physics graduates. Listen to the experiences of experts in their field who have used their physics education to leap into exciting and rewarding careers.

Stay around after the lecture for free pizza and a chance to meet our speakers from:

Date: Thursday 11 August 2022

Lecture: 6:00PM - 7:00PM, The Braggs Lecture Theatre, The University of Adelaide

Pizza and networking: 7:00PM - 8:30PM, Mezzanine, Hub Central, The University of Adelaide

We ask that all attendees please register individually with an Eventbrite ticket, including students, parents, and presenters to assist us with catering.

AIP Mid-Year Dinner and Awards Presentations

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 12:22:55 GMT

The SA Branch of the Australian Institute of Physics will be holding its mid-year dinner and awards night at The Bombay Bicycle Club on Thursday 28th July. Come along for an informal evening with your fellow physicists including students, academics and researchers. Drinks will be from 6:30 pm with the dinner commencing at 7.00 pm.

We will be presenting the Excellence in Physics Teaching award which is presented to a Physics teacher who has had a positive impact on teaching Physics to students at the high-school level.

We will also be presenting the Silver Bragg Awards to the top final-year students who have completed a Bachelor of Science degree in 2021 with a major in Physics from the University of Adelaide and Flinders University.

Please book before July 26th via Eventbrite at:

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/aip-mid-year-dinner-and-awards-presentations-tickets-382403859237

Bronze Bragg Presentation and Free Public Lecture

Sun, 06 Feb 2022 11:52:15 GMT

6:30 pm, Wednesday February 23^rd 2021

The Braggs lecture theatre, Braggs building,

University of Adelaide (North Terrace campus)

“The climate has always changed - so why are we concerned now?”

Katrin Meissner
Director of the Climate Change Research Centre,

University of New South Wales

I am interested in abrupt climate change events as well as thresholds and feedbacks in the climate system. I use Climate Models together with past climate records to improve our understanding of the basic mechanisms underlying climate variability and climate change.

The Bronze Bragg medals and merit certificates will be presented at the lecture.

The medals are awarded for highest achievement in Physics in 2021 in the SACE Stage 2 assessments and IB Higher Level Physics, with certificates being for students who achieved a merit or a grade of 7.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, seats are limited and bookings are essential through this Eventbrite link.

Joint meeting of the AIP (SA branch) and the Astronomical society of South Australia

Thu, 26 Aug 2021 10:55:21 GMT

8:00 pm, Wednesday September 1st 2021
The Braggs Lecture Theatre, The Braggs building, University of Adelaide.

Meeting Agenda: (in-person TICKETED event). No Ticket, No Entry.

"Exploring the Universe with High Energy Neutrinos detected at the South Pole"
by A/Prof. Gary Hill
"The Sky this Month" by Joe Grida
ASSA Astrophotography Winning Entries
Announcements for September 2021
Coffee/Tea, Supper & Conversation (TBC)

Attend In-Person: A LIMITED number of theatre seat tickets are available for this meeting. Tickets are FREE and must be obtained from Eventbrite to gain entry to the theatre. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND, PLEASE RETURN YOUR TICKET VIA EVENTBRITE so those on the waitlist can then access tickets. No Ticket, No Entry.

The Eventbrite link is
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/exploring-the-universe-with-high-energy-neutrinos-by-aprof-gary-hill-tickets-166462404533?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

The Braggs LT entrance is located at E10 on the map (doors face the Barr Smith Lawns).

Watch Live on YouTube or Facebook. Please Subscribe/Follow to be notified of other live events.

Exploring the Universe with High Energy Neutrinos detected at the South Pole

by A/Prof. Gary Hill, Department of Physics, University of Adelaide

Summary: The IceCube Neutrino Observatory was constructed at the South Pole over seven summer seasons from 2004/5 to 2010/11. Consisting of over 5,000 basketball-sized optical sensors instrumenting a cubic kilometre of the deep Antarctic ice, the observatory has detected thousands of high energy neutrinos from beyond the Earth, and identified a type of black hole powered active galaxy (a blazar) as the source of some of these events. In this talk we will discuss the history of neutrino astronomy, the construction of IceCube, and how the observatory is being used to learn much about our Universe, from the nature of the most powerful galaxies, right down to the fundamental properties of elementary particles.

Bio: Gary Hill completed his PhD in high energy neutrino astronomy in 1996 at the University of Adelaide, and then spent the next year at the South Pole as part of the team constructing and operating the original AMANDA neutrino detector. He then worked for 14 years at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, analysing data from AMANDA and planning and building IceCube, including another 10 summer trips to the South Pole. He returned to the University of Adelaide in late 2011, spending his first official day on the job at the South Pole during his 12th visit. He is currently an Associate Professor in the Physics Department at the University of Adelaide, continuing IceCube research in high energy neutrinos, and more recently has joined the team constructing a dark matter detector, SABRE, to be installed deep in the Stawell mine in Victoria.

AIP Mid-Year Dinner and Awards Presentations

Sun, 08 Aug 2021 08:45:03 GMT

The SA Branch of the Australian Institute of Physics will be holding its mid-year dinner and awards night at The Archer (60 O'Connell Street, North Adelaide, SA 5006) on Thursday, 12th of August 2021, 6:30 pm

To reserve a spot, please book your free ticket through this Eventbrite link.

Come along for an informal evening with your fellow physicists including students, academics and researchers. Drinks will be from 6:30 pm with the dinner commencing at 7.00 pm.

We will be presenting the Excellence in Physics Teaching award which is presented to a Physics teacher that has made a positive impact on teaching Physics to students at the high school level.

We will be also presenting the Silver Bragg Awards to the top final year students who have completed a Bachelor of Science degree in 2020 with a major in Physics from the University of Adelaide and Flinders University.

AIP / IPAS Physics Industry Night - Postponed

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 12:46:28 GMT

Physics industry night: lecture and networking event

Date and time

Tue., 27 July 2021
6:00 pm – 8:30 pm ACST

About this event

The SA Branch of the Australian Institute of Physics (AIP) and the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) invite you to the 2021 AIP/IPAS Physics Industry Night!

Curious about Science and Physics? Wondering what careers can come from studying Physics? Not sure if you should choose to study Physics in year 11, year 12 or University?

Stay around after the lecture for free pizza and a chance to meet our speakers from:

Date: Tuesday 27 July 2021

Lecture: 6:00PM - 7:00PM, The Braggs Lecture Theatre, University of Adelaide

Pizza and networking: 7:00PM - 8:30PM, Ingkarni Wardli Atrium, University of Adelaide

All attendees must register individually with an Eventbrite ticket, including students, parents, and presenters.

Due to covid limits in the lecture theatre we kindly request that students attending bring no more than one parent or guardian.

Location

The Braggs Building

Victoria Drive

Adelaide, SA 5005

ASSA LECTURE BY PROF. LISA KEWLEY

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 00:11:49 GMT

The Astronomical Society of South Australia has invited AIP members to a special General Meeting:

The Astronomical Society of South Australia is hosting a special General Meeting starting at 8pm Wednesday 3rd of March 2021 featuring an in-person presentation by Prof. Lisa Kewley discussing galaxy formation research as well as equity & diversity initiatives. The ASSA will also be launching a new initiative to engage more women into the science of Astronomy through our Society.

Eventbrite registration for free tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/public-lecture-astro-3d-by-prof-lisa-kewley-tickets-141081451419

Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/488225119218624/

Additional info:
https://www.assa.org.au/events/meetings/general-meeting-march-2021/

BRONZE BRAGG PRESENTATION AND FREE PUBLIC LECTURE

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 00:13:15 GMT

Penrose, Singularities and Black Holes: The Nobel Prize in Physics 2020

Details: 6:30 pm, Tuesday February 16th 2021
The Braggs lecture theatre, Braggs building,
University of Adelaide (North Terrace campus)

Professor Susan Scott
Australian National University

In this talk we explore the 20th century story of black holes. Originally black holes were thought to be an undesirable artefact of Einstein’s general theory of relativity, but Penrose’s powerful singularity theorem of the 1960s turned that way of thinking on its head. As a result, we now believe our Universe to be full of black holes. As one of the greatest achievements in theoretical physics, Penrose’s breakthrough led to his receipt of the Nobel Prize in Physics for 2020. We will see how this Nobel Prize intimately connects with the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics for the first direct detection of gravitational waves

The Bronze Bragg medals and merit certificates will be presented at the lecture.

The medals are awarded for highest achievement in Physics in 2020 in the SACE Stage 2 assessments and IB Higher Level Physics, with certificates being for students who achieved a merit or a grade of 7.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, seats are limited and bookings are essential through the Eventbrite link:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/bronze-bragg-presentation-and-free-public-lecture-2021-tickets-139837522795

The Australian Institute of Physics SA BRANCH

Enhancing Quantum Outreach in South Australia through Quantum Enrichment Days

2025 AIP/IPAS Physics Careers Fair

Free Public Lecture & Bronze Bragg Awards

Public Lecture - Light Camera Action!

SA Branch AGM and End of Year Dinner

AIP/IPAS Physics Careers Night

Claire Corani Memorial Lecture and Award Ceremony

Mid-Year Dinner & Awards Night - AIP SA Branch

2024 AIP/IPAS Physics Careers Fair - Adelaide

Public Lecture: International Day of Light - A Trip on the Light Fantastic

Bronze Bragg awards and an attosecond lecture

Free Public Lecture: How to use a time machine to study atomic physics

AGM and End of Year Dinner

ASSA - AIP: Free Public Lecture

AIP/IPAS Physics Industry Night

Hint of the Existence of a BSM Particle: A Dark Photon

Mind-Bending Light at Science Alive!

Claire Corani Memorial Public Lecture - Women in Physics Lecture Tour

Physics Jobs Fair 2023

Bronze Bragg Presentation and Lecture: All Welcome!

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND DINNER

Free Public Lecture: Mars: A Space Radiation Odyssey

About this event

The Claire Corani Memorial Lecture - Impacts! Rocks from space colliding with planets

AIP/IPAS Physics Industry Night

AIP Mid-Year Dinner and Awards Presentations

Bronze Bragg Presentation and Free Public Lecture

Joint meeting of the AIP (SA branch) and the Astronomical society of South Australia

AIP Mid-Year Dinner and Awards Presentations

AIP / IPAS Physics Industry Night - Postponed

Physics industry night: lecture and networking event

Date and time

About this event

Location

ASSA LECTURE BY PROF. LISA KEWLEY

BRONZE BRAGG PRESENTATION AND FREE PUBLIC LECTURE

Penrose, Singularities and Black Holes: The Nobel Prize in Physics 2020

Professor Susan Scott Australian National University

The Bronze Bragg medals and merit certificates will be presented at the lecture.

Professor Susan Scott
Australian National University