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Autumn 2026

Towards molecular photonics: A search for optoelectronic properties in molecules

• Speaker: Dr. Jonathan (Yonatan) Bar-David
• Date: 16 November 2026 (8W 3.13) 13:15
• Narrative: Molecules, nature’s building blocks, are fascinating physical objects, being at the boundary of classical and quantum physics. In this lecture, I will present our investigation of molecular systems coupled to plasmonic nano-cavities(1, 2). Using this state-of-the-art approach, we achieve near video-rate measurements of luminescence and Raman spectra at the single molecule limit. Our results, which include demonstration of bright luminescence from singlemolecules strongly coupled to plasmonic cavities, and the conformation jitter of organic radicals, provide new insights into the light-molecule coupling, revealing phenomena linked to polarizability, permittivity, conductivity, vibrational modes, electronic energy levels, and molecular interactions with their nano-environments, and paving the way for utilization of molecular emitters as light sources and quantum bits.

1. J. Bar-David et al., ACS Nano. 19, 7650–7660 (2025).
2. A. Boehmke et al., Nano Lett. 25, 15817–15823 (2025)

Internal Research Talks

All talks will take place at 1:15pm in 8W 3.13 unless otherwise stated.

Date: 9 November 2026

• Narrative: We will hear from Kerrianne Harrington and Francesco Talenti

Date: 2 November 2026

• Narrative: We will hear from Jeton Koxha and Mat Olszewski

Date: 26 October 2026

• Narrative: We will hear from Charlie Perek-Jennings and Robbie Mears

Date: 12 October 2026

• Narrative: We will hear from Brad Kerrigan and Rebecca Walters.

Harnessing Guided Light with Synchronous Molecular Motion

• Speaker: Prof David Novoa, Ikerbasque
• Date: 5 October 2026 (8W 3.13) 13:15

Narrative: Among other applications, nonlinear photonics aims at developing solutions for the manipulation of the frequency content of arbitrary optical signals. Common approaches based on bulk media such as crystals or gas cells are usually restricted to certain parametric regimes due to limitations in e.g. transparency, dispersion, nonlinearity strength and damage threshold. In contrast, hollow-core anti-resonant fibres stand out due to their ultralow-loss broadband guidance, tight modal confinement and high resilience to photo-induced damage. Furthermore, when filled with gases, the optical properties of these fibres become pressure-adjustable, enabling an exquisite control over nonlinear light-matter interactions taking place along the fibre length.

In this talk we will delve into the physics of gas-filled anti-resonant fibres as a platform for classical and quantum nonlinear conversion with a vast spectral operation range, and capable of handling both signals with large photon numbers and high photon energies reaching the ultraviolet, as well as quantum light states down to the single-photon limit. This is achieved by using molecular filling gases and inducing a synchronous oscillation of the core via stimulated Raman scattering, and then leveraging such molecular choreography for the frequency conversion of arbitrary signals. Such ultrafast molecular modulation process offers very high conversion efficiencies, large frequency shifts, scalability and modal selectivity, thereby paving the way to novel fibre-based convertors with applications in many disparate fields from spectroscopy to quantum technologies.

First Centre meeting of the new Academic year

• Date: 28 September 2026 (8W 3.13) 13:15
• Narrative: Kick-off meeting to discuss upcoming events, meeting format and important dates.

Summer 2026

Optica Pride Bake-Off

• Date: 26 June 2026
• Narrative: As part of the summer party celebrations, Optica will be hosting the Optica Pride Bake-Off. Get involved by baking a cake and competing for one of three prizes. All contributions are welcome, so whether you're an experienced baker or trying something new, we encourage you to take part and celebrate Pride with us. For the bake-off, Optica will be raising money for Transactual and Dorothy House (in memory of Patricia).

Centre for Photonics Launch Event

• Date: 1 June 2026
• Narrative: Join us as Centre Co-Directors, Professor William Wadsworth and Dr Kristina Rusimova, outline the vision for the Centre, its strategic priorities, and future plans. The event will also showcase the new Photonics Laboratory Suite, feature a plenary talk, and include opportunities to engage with academic, student, and industry-led activities. The Centre for Photonics brings together expertise in the science and application of light at the University of Bath, spanning areas such as speciality optical fibres, nanoscale and quantum photonics, and emerging fields including nanobiophotonics.