In the first episode of our new podcast, Physics World Weekly, we bring you a selection of stories on light and light-based technologies. 16 May 2018 was the inaugural International Day of Light, a UNESCO-backed initiative to promote the role light plays in science and society. This annual initiative will provide the legacy of the International Year of Light (IYL 2015), which saw thousands of activities take place across 147 countries, reaching an estimated audience of 100 million people.
In the podcast, Physics World journalist James Dacey visits a pub in Bath where he meets Peter Mosely, a researcher at the centre for photonics and photonic Materials at the University of Bath. On the International Day of Light, Mosely gave a public lecture about his group’s work and its possible applications in quantum computing and cryptography. He tells Dacey about the opportunities and challenges of doing public outreach events.
Also in the podcast, Physics World’s general physics editor Hamish Johnson is in conversation with the magazine’s industry editor Margaret Harris. They discuss a new Institute of Physics report on the state of the photonics industry in the UK and recommendations for its growth. Johnston also speaks about a story he recently covered about how leaks of natural gas can be detected using laser frequency combs.
If you enjoy the podcast then you can subscribe via iTunes or your chosen podcast service. Join us again for another instalment next week. In the meantime, you can also listen to our longstanding monthly podcast, Physics World Stories.
