Contributor

Stefan Popa

Stefan Popa is a PhD student contributor to Physics World. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Durham University and is now studying for a PhD at Imperial College London. His research at the Centre for Cold Matter uses laser-cooled molecules to test fundamental symmetries. His experiment measures the shape of the electron inside ultracold molecules. This is predicted to be near-spherical by the Standard Model of particle physics, so measuring it is a test of physics beyond the standard model.

He enjoys combining his studies with the outdoors and can often be found climbing or hiking.

Contributor archive

Soap bubbles transform into lasers

Laser wavelengths depend on bubble's size, paving the way for bubble-laser-based sensors of pressure or ambient electric field

Physicists measure the electron electric dipole moment to unprecedented precision

Measurement calls into question theories beyond the Standard Model

Artist's illustration of a Rydberg atom bonded to an ion. The Rydberg atom is represented by a large cloud surrounding a small red dot, with the cloud concentrated in two areas (representing an induced dipole). The ion is represented by a nearby blue dot

Physicists detect a new type of molecular bond

Bond between an ion and a Rydberg atom is longer than some bacteria

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