Introduction
The Department has a strong research activity in atomic, molecular and plasma physics.
Optical applications range from sensitive measurements of a wide selection of species (from molecules to the contents of the oceans and the atmosphere), through to the study of novel optical materials, and to the development of state-of-the-art lasers.
Other applications concentrate on the challenge of analysing the magnetic field from the human body, the development of high-power sources for coherent millimetre waves, or the study of the physics of fusion reactors.
These activities are complemented by fundamental research into areas such as theoretical and experimental quantum optics, computational non-linear optics, quantum and solid-state theory, molecular spectroscopy and low temperature discharge physics.
Researchers in the Department play an active role in a large number of national and international collaborations and networks.
Links with government research laboratories and industry serve to take research further either through development of equipment and measurement techniques or through commercialisation of research results. To this end, the Institute of Photonics was set up in 1995 under the umbrella of the Department to bridge the gap to industry and build upon the internationally recognised expertise in the area of laser physics and non-linear optics.
Although all our external links have a specific scientific or technological goal, one of their benefits is that they are a valuable route for many of our graduates to employment in industry or to launching their own research career.
SUPA Graduate School
In addition, the Physics Department is part of the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance,
a pan-Scotland research alliance whose aim is to place Scotland at the forefront of research in physics. A key element of SUPA is the establishment
of a national graduate school for research students.
The SUPA Graduate School delivers training via specialist courses, Summer Schools and Advanced Workshops, distance learning material and enabling distinguished visitors to share their expertise with the research student population. There are also SUPA Prize Studentships, which provide funding for research training for the very best PhD candidates from around the world. An application form for these competitive studentships can be found on the SUPA website.
All research students at Strathclyde will automatically be members of the SUPA Graduate School, allowing them access to the extended training that this opportunity provides.
Glasgow
Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city with a population of 600,000, is the centre of a metropolitan area serving 2 million people. The city is steeped in history and its beginnings date back to the fifth century. Located on the River Clyde in West-Central Scotland, Glasgow is close to places of great natural beauty, such as Loch Lomond and the Highlands.
Glasgow is a modern, cosmopolitan, vibrant city with many restaurants,
parks, clubs and pubs, not to mention great shopping facilities, second
only, in the UK, to London. Glasgow is also home to many museums and galleries and a number of theatres and cinemas.
The friendly and hospitable nature of Glaswegians combined with the culturally diverse and energetic city makes Glasgow the place to be.
Accommodation
The University provides a range of modern, high-quality accommodation in the heart of the city centre for postgraduate students. Centred mainly in the Merchant City, students are close to the University campus, University sports centre and Glasgow's city centre. Priority is given to postgraduate students who are new to Glasgow for one year in University accommodation.
Leisure
The University provides excellent
facilities and clubs for many sporting activities from athletics to windsurfing
and from karate to paragliding. 
At the Sports Union there is a large twin-court
games hall, an activities room, six squash courts, a weight-training room,
a fitness-training room, a gymnasium and a swimming pool, not to mention
outdoor playing facilities which are also available. The University's location also means that winter sports, water sports and
mountaineering activities are also catered for.
