Denis Hall
Encyclopedia
Denis R Hall is a professor of photonics
at Heriot-Watt University
, Edinburgh. In 2004 he was awarded the Association of Laser Users award for his contributions to the development of industrial laser
s and their applications.
in 1965, an attained his MPhil in 1967 at London University for research in cell biology. He received a PhD in Electrical Engineering in 1971 from Case Western Reserve University
in Cleveland, USA. He received an MBA degree at the Edinburgh Business School
in 1996.
Fellowship at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
where he worked on for space-based optical communication
systems. He then moved to Avco Everett Research Laboratory in Boston, where he worked on electron beam laser technology and high pulse energy modelocked lasers, laser radar and atmospheric optical propagation.
Hall moved to the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment in 1976 working on lasers and infrared systems, before transferring to Hull University in 1979. At Hull he led the UK national project to design and construct the Satellite Laser Ranging Facility
at Royal Greenwich Observatory, Herstmonceux. At the same time Hall developed techniques for laser excitation using transverse radiofrequency discharges to produce a range of compact sealed lasers for medical, industrial and laser radar applications.
Since 1987, Hall has been Professor of Photonics at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, where his research interests have continued in laser device physics and applications. He has been concerned with the design of ultracompact high power waveguide
lasers, exploiting concurrent research in RF discharge physics and planar optical waveguides to develop new laser concepts based on 2-D laser power scaling and novel laser resonators. Planar waveguide lasers are now successful products manufactured by major international companies for applications in industry and medicine. More recently, the planar waveguide ‘thin laser' concept has been extended to other gas lasers and to solid state lasers pumped by diode bars. This work, part of a general industrial orientation involving partnership in many industry/university collaborative research projects, has resulted in a series of new commercial laser devices and industrial laser-based systems. He has been involved in the creation of three successful start-up companies producing lasers and laser systems.
award for his contribution to the development of industrial lasers and their applications, especially work on the technology of the RF-excited diffusion-cooled laser.
He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the IEEE, the UK Institute of Physics
, the IEE, and the Optical Society of America
. He was Chairman of the UK Institute of Physics Quantum Electronics Group from 1990-93, and was also Chairman of the European Physical Society Quantum Electronics and Optics Division (1998-2000). Currently, he is Deputy Principal (Pro-Vice Chancellor) with special responsibility for Research at Heriot-Watt University, operating on a part-time basis in parallel with research activity as Professor of Photonics in the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences. He is also Deputy Director of the Edinburgh Research Partnership between Edinburgh University and Heriot-Watt University
Photonics
The science of photonics includes the generation, emission, transmission, modulation, signal processing, switching, amplification, detection and sensing of light. The term photonics thereby emphasizes that photons are neither particles nor waves — they are different in that they have both particle...
at Heriot-Watt University
Heriot-Watt University
Heriot-Watt University is a university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The name commemorates George Heriot, the 16th century financier to King James, and James Watt, the great 18th century inventor and engineer....
, Edinburgh. In 2004 he was awarded the Association of Laser Users award for his contributions to the development of industrial laser
Laser
A laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of photons. The term "laser" originated as an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation...
s and their applications.
Education
Hall graduated in Physics at the University of ManchesterUniversity of Manchester
The University of Manchester is a public research university located in Manchester, United Kingdom. It is a "red brick" university and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive British universities and the N8 Group...
in 1965, an attained his MPhil in 1967 at London University for research in cell biology. He received a PhD in Electrical Engineering in 1971 from Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University is a private research university located in Cleveland, Ohio, USA...
in Cleveland, USA. He received an MBA degree at the Edinburgh Business School
Edinburgh Business School
Edinburgh Business School is the Graduate School of Business of Heriot-Watt University , Edinburgh, Scotland. Heriot-Watt University is the eighth oldest higher educational institution in the UK, and awards degrees by Royal Charter...
in 1996.
Academic work
In 1971, Hall was awarded a National Academy of SciencesUnited States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
Fellowship at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Goddard Space Flight Center
The Goddard Space Flight Center is a major NASA space research laboratory established on May 1, 1959 as NASA's first space flight center. GSFC employs approximately 10,000 civil servants and contractors, and is located approximately northeast of Washington, D.C. in Greenbelt, Maryland, USA. GSFC,...
where he worked on for space-based optical communication
Optical communication
Optical communication is any form of telecommunication that uses light as the transmission medium.An optical communication system consists of a transmitter, which encodes a message into an optical signal, a channel, which carries the signal to its destination, and a receiver, which reproduces the...
systems. He then moved to Avco Everett Research Laboratory in Boston, where he worked on electron beam laser technology and high pulse energy modelocked lasers, laser radar and atmospheric optical propagation.
Hall moved to the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment in 1976 working on lasers and infrared systems, before transferring to Hull University in 1979. At Hull he led the UK national project to design and construct the Satellite Laser Ranging Facility
Satellite laser ranging
In satellite laser ranging a global network of observation stations measure the round trip time of flight of ultrashort pulses of light to satellites equipped with retroreflectors...
at Royal Greenwich Observatory, Herstmonceux. At the same time Hall developed techniques for laser excitation using transverse radiofrequency discharges to produce a range of compact sealed lasers for medical, industrial and laser radar applications.
Since 1987, Hall has been Professor of Photonics at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, where his research interests have continued in laser device physics and applications. He has been concerned with the design of ultracompact high power waveguide
Waveguide
A waveguide is a structure which guides waves, such as electromagnetic waves or sound waves. There are different types of waveguides for each type of wave...
lasers, exploiting concurrent research in RF discharge physics and planar optical waveguides to develop new laser concepts based on 2-D laser power scaling and novel laser resonators. Planar waveguide lasers are now successful products manufactured by major international companies for applications in industry and medicine. More recently, the planar waveguide ‘thin laser' concept has been extended to other gas lasers and to solid state lasers pumped by diode bars. This work, part of a general industrial orientation involving partnership in many industry/university collaborative research projects, has resulted in a series of new commercial laser devices and industrial laser-based systems. He has been involved in the creation of three successful start-up companies producing lasers and laser systems.
Awards
Hall is the recipient of the 2004 AILUAILU
The Association of Laser Users was established in 1995 as an independent, non-profit making organisation run by and for laser users involved in activities including manufacturing, healthcare, academic and industrial research; as well as suppliers of laser-related products and services.The...
award for his contribution to the development of industrial lasers and their applications, especially work on the technology of the RF-excited diffusion-cooled laser.
He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the IEEE, the UK Institute of Physics
Institute of Physics
The Institute of Physics is a scientific charity devoted to increasing the practice, understanding and application of physics. It has a worldwide membership of around 40,000....
, the IEE, and the Optical Society of America
Optical Society of America
The Optical Society is a scientific society dedicated to advancing the study of light—optics and photonics—in theory and application, by means of publishing, organizing conferences and exhibitions, partnership with industry, and education. The organization has members in more than 100 countries...
. He was Chairman of the UK Institute of Physics Quantum Electronics Group from 1990-93, and was also Chairman of the European Physical Society Quantum Electronics and Optics Division (1998-2000). Currently, he is Deputy Principal (Pro-Vice Chancellor) with special responsibility for Research at Heriot-Watt University, operating on a part-time basis in parallel with research activity as Professor of Photonics in the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences. He is also Deputy Director of the Edinburgh Research Partnership between Edinburgh University and Heriot-Watt University
Sources
- http://www.phy.hw.ac.uk/contacts/Denis%20Hall.htm
- http://www.ailu.org.uk/association/awards_and_prizes/ailu_awards/award/2004_denis_hall.html