Maynooth University Department of Experimental Physics

Experimental Physics - Student Fixing a Device - Maynooth University

Research in the Department of Experimental Physics in done in a variety of areas of experimental physics, astrophysics and astronomy, and members of staff are involved in a number of different international research projects, including two European Space Agency satellite missions - the Herschel Space Observatory and the Planck Surveyor.

Terahertz Space Optics

Experimental Physics - horns small - Maynooth University

Development of new terahertz quasi-optical devices and strategies for new generations of specialised space telescopes and atmospheric monitoring satellites.

Far Infrared Astronomy

Experimental Physics - Herschel small - Maynooth University

Optical receiver design for far-infrared wavelengths for the Herschel Space Observatory (HIFI instrument) and the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA).

Cosmology

Design and verification of instruments used in projects to observe the cosmic microwave background, including MBI, QUaD, and the Planck Surveyor Satellite.

Terahertz Computing

Experimental Physics - teraherz small - Maynooth University

High performance computing is used for the design and modeling of optics in the terahertz band with applications in astronomy, security, defence and medicine.

Star and Planet Formation

Multi-wavelength observational studies of star and brown dwarf formation focussed on jets and the accretion disks in which planets may form. The telescopes used include both ground based telescopes e.g. the ESO VLT and space observatories e.g. HST and Chandra.

Read more about Star and Planet Formation.

Academic working in this area: Dr. Emma Whelan.