Nicholas J. Phillips
Encyclopedia
Nicholas John Phillips (26 September 1933 – 23 May 2009) was an English physicist
, notable for the development of photochemical processing techniques for the color hologram. Holograms typically used to have low signal-to-noise ratio
s, and Phillips is credited as the pioneer of silver halide
holographic processing techniques for producing high-quality reflection holograms.
degree in physics from Imperial College, London. He was a senior researcher at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment (AWRE), Aldermaston
, from 1959-1962. He was a research scientist at the Sperry Rand Research Centre, Sudbury, Massachusetts
, USA, from 1962-1963. He was a theoretical physicist at English Electric
, Whetstone
, Leicester
, UK, from 1963-1965. From 1965-1993 he was appointed at Loughborough University
, where he rose to Professor of Applied Optics. In October 1993, he was appointed as Professor of Imaging Science at De Montfort University
, Leicester
, UK. Phillips was the co-founder in the early 1970s of Holoco, who using lasers supplied by The Who
(that had been used in laser light shows during their concerts), constructed the Light Fantastic exhibitions as The Royal Academy of Arts
, London, in 1977-8. The company became Advanced Holographics in 1980 when The Who withdrew their financial backing, and was based in Loughborough
, UK, and later became part of Markem Systems.
record multi-color reflection holograms from a single wavelength laser
. His research interests include holographic displays, edge-lit holograms, optical encoding for security, photopolymers, and novel micro-optic systems, and he has numerous patents in these areas.
Thomas Young Medal
(1981) in recognition for contributions to holography, particularly the development of high quality holograms for visual display. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics
.
Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
, notable for the development of photochemical processing techniques for the color hologram. Holograms typically used to have low signal-to-noise ratio
Signal-to-noise ratio
Signal-to-noise ratio is a measure used in science and engineering that compares the level of a desired signal to the level of background noise. It is defined as the ratio of signal power to the noise power. A ratio higher than 1:1 indicates more signal than noise...
s, and Phillips is credited as the pioneer of silver halide
Silver halide
A silver halide is one of the compounds formed between silver and one of the halogens — silver bromide , chloride , iodide , and three forms of silver fluorides. As a group, they are often referred to as the silver halides, and are often given the pseudo-chemical notation AgX...
holographic processing techniques for producing high-quality reflection holograms.
Career
Phillips graduated with a BScBachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in physics from Imperial College, London. He was a senior researcher at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment (AWRE), Aldermaston
Aldermaston
Aldermaston is a rural village, civil parish and electoral ward in Berkshire, South-East England. In the 2001 United Kingdom Census, the parish had a population of 927. The village is on the southern edge of the River Kennet flood plain, near the Hampshire county boundary...
, from 1959-1962. He was a research scientist at the Sperry Rand Research Centre, Sudbury, Massachusetts
Sudbury, Massachusetts
Sudbury is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, population 17,659. The town was incorporated in 1639, with the original boundaries including what is now Wayland. Wayland split from Sudbury in 1780. When first incorporated, it included and parts of Framingham, Marlborough, Stow...
, USA, from 1962-1963. He was a theoretical physicist at English Electric
English Electric
English Electric was a British industrial manufacturer. Founded in 1918, it initially specialised in industrial electric motors and transformers...
, Whetstone
Whetstone, Leicestershire
Whetstone is a village and civil parish in the Blaby district of Leicestershire, England. It has a population of 6,000 and largely acts as a commuter village for Leicester, five miles to the north...
, Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
, UK, from 1963-1965. From 1965-1993 he was appointed at Loughborough University
Loughborough University
Loughborough University is a research based campus university located in the market town of Loughborough, Leicestershire, in the East Midlands of England...
, where he rose to Professor of Applied Optics. In October 1993, he was appointed as Professor of Imaging Science at De Montfort University
De Montfort University
De Montfort University is a public research and teaching university situated in the medieval Old Town of Leicester, England, adjacent to the River Soar and the Leicester Castle Gardens...
, Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
, UK. Phillips was the co-founder in the early 1970s of Holoco, who using lasers supplied by The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
(that had been used in laser light shows during their concerts), constructed the Light Fantastic exhibitions as The Royal Academy of Arts
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
, London, in 1977-8. The company became Advanced Holographics in 1980 when The Who withdrew their financial backing, and was based in Loughborough
Loughborough
Loughborough is a town within the Charnwood borough of Leicestershire, England. It is the seat of Charnwood Borough Council and is home to Loughborough University...
, UK, and later became part of Markem Systems.
Research and Achievements
Phillips is credited with the development of bleaching and processing techniques, which made it possible torecord multi-color reflection holograms from a single wavelength 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...
. His research interests include holographic displays, edge-lit holograms, optical encoding for security, photopolymers, and novel micro-optic systems, and he has numerous patents in these areas.
Holographic Art
Phillips developed a technique for producing white light holograms that work in dim lighting conditions, which are now widely used in the world of holographic art.Awards
Phillips was awarded the Institute of PhysicsInstitute 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....
Thomas Young Medal
Young Medal and Prize
The Young Medal and Prize is a prize awarded on odd numbered years by the Institute of Physics in the memory of Thomas Young for distinguished research in the field of optics, including physics outside the visible region.- Young Medalists:...
(1981) in recognition for contributions to holography, particularly the development of high quality holograms for visual display. He is a Fellow of the 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....
.
Selected Publications by Phillips
- N. J. Phillips and D. Porter, "An advance in the processing of holograms," Journal of Physics E: Scientific Instruments (1976) p. 631
- N. J. Phillips, A. A. Ward, R. Cullen, and D. Porter, "Advances in holographic bleaches," Photographic Science and Engineering, 24 (1980) p. 120.
- N. J. Phillips, H. Heyworth, and T. Hare, "On Lippmann's photography," Journal of Photographic Science, 32 (1984) pp. 158–169.
- N. J. Phillips and R. A. J. van der Werf, "The creation of efficient reflective Lippmann layers in ultra-fine grain silver halide materials using non-laser sources," Journal of Photographic Science, 33 (1985) pp. 22–28,
- N. J. Phillips, "Benign bleaching for healthy holography," Holosphere, 14(4) (1986) p. 21.
- N. J. Phillips, "The silver halides—the workhorse of the holography business," Proceedings of the International Symposium of Display Holography, 3 (1988) p. 35.
- D. AbbottDerek AbbottDerek Abbott is a physicist and electronic engineer. He is a Professor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Adelaide, Australia...
, B. R. DavisBruce R. DavisBruce Raymond Davis was born in Adelaide, 1939, and is an electronic engineer notable for his research in mobile communication systems, satellite communications, and high frequency data communication systems.-Education:...
, N. J. Phillips, and K. EshraghianKamran EshraghianKamran Eshraghian is an electronic engineer notable for being a key early pioneer of VLSI in Australia. He is one of the fathers of CMOS VLSI design and his books have been influential on a par with the Mead & Conway revolution.-Education:...
, "Simple derivation of the thermal noise formula using window-limited Fourier transforms," IEEE Trans. Education, 39(1) (1996) pp. 1–13.