Dark field x-ray imaging

Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute and the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland have utilised conventional x-ray optics to produce high contrast and high resolution dark field x-ray images using a conventional x-ray system. This type of imaging was previously only possible using sychrotron x-ray sources.

See Biophotonics Newsletter.

Dublin Energy Lab launches new website

The Dublin Energy Lab (DEL) which includes researchers from the School of Physics as well as from the Faculty of Engineering has launched a new website showcasing the research group's work in the areas of electrical power, energy policy, low carbon buildings and solar energy. The site includes an industry blog highlighting events and news in sustainable energy research, policy and technology.

See dublinenergylab.dit.ie.

Congratulations to Dr Garrett Farrell

Congratulations to Dr Garrett Farrell who recently competed his viva examination for PhD. Garrett's thesis was entitled "Investigation of the Electronic Properties of Organic Systems using Electroabsorption Spectroscopy".

Photo shows, from left: Hugh Byrne, FOCAS manager and thesis co-supervisor; Siegmar Roth of the Max Planck Institute in Stuttgart, external examiner; Des O'Mahony, School of Physics and FOCAS, internal examiner; Garrett Farrell; Gordon Chambers, School of Physics and FOCAS, thesis co-supervisor.

Massive black hole found by Finnish Astronomers

Astronomers from Finland have "weighed" a monster celestial object 18 billion times more massive than the Sun - six times larger than the previous record.

The black hole, known as OJ287, is orbited by a smaller black hole, which allowed its mass to be measured by analysing the orbit. The finding also enabled the researchers to test Einstein's theory of General Relativity for the first time in a strong gravitational field.

See BBC News.

Fascination of Light Exhibition

The Fascination of Light Exhibition will come to DIT to be hosted by the School of Physics at the Gleeson Hall in DIT Kevin Street from April 1st to 15th, 2008. A dedicated website has now been launched for the Exhibition.

See Fascination of Light at DIT.