Hans-Albert Bachor (born December 1952) is a German-born Australian research

physicist A physicist is a scientist who specializes in the field of physics, which encompasses the interactions of matter and energy at all length and time scales in the physical universe. Physicists generally are interested in the root or ultimate caus ...

. He was chairperson of the National Youth Science Forum in Australia, and is an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Quantum Science, Research School of Physics at the

Australian National University The Australian National University (ANU) is a public research university located in Canberra, the capital of Australia. Its main campus in Acton encompasses seven teaching and research colleges, in addition to several national academies and ...

, Canberra, Australia.

Biography

Bachor was born in Wolfenbüttel, Germany in 1952. He studied physics in Hannover, Germany, where he received his diploma and doctorate, supervised by Prof. Dr. Manfred Kock. He took up a position at the Australian National University in 1981.

Research

Bachor established experimental

quantum optics Quantum optics is a branch of atomic, molecular, and optical physics dealing with how individual quanta of light, known as photons, interact with atoms and molecules. It includes the study of the particle-like properties of photons. Photons have b ...

in Australia and created a widely known group for optics and

laser physics Laser science or laser physics is a branch of optics that describes the theory and practice of lasers. Laser science is principally concerned with quantum electronics, laser construction, optical cavity design, the physics of producing a popul ...

, exploring the possibilities of harnessing the quantum nature of light. He has pioneered techniques for sensitive measurements beyond the

quantum noise Quantum noise is noise arising from the indeterminate state of matter in accordance with fundamental principles of quantum mechanics, specifically the uncertainty principle and via zero-point energy fluctuations. Quantum noise is due to the appa ...

limit, for the improvement of optical sensors, interferometers,

optical communication Optical communication, also known as optical telecommunication, is communication at a distance using light to carry information. It can be performed visually or by using electronic devices. The earliest basic forms of optical communication date b ...

and data storage. Bachor has mentored and graduated a number of Australia's leading scientists. His former graduate students include Professor Ping Koy Lam (CQC2T), Professor Timothy Ralph (UQ), and Professor Andrew White (UQ). Bachor was Head of the Department of Physics at the Australian National University in the late 1990s, and took a leading role in teaching and inspiring undergraduate students.

Professional activities

He is active in the professional management of science, a former member of the expert panels of the

Australian Research Council The Australian Research Council (ARC) is the primary non-medical research funding agency of the Australian Government, distributing more than in grants each year. The Council was established by the ''Australian Research Council Act 2001'', ...

(1997–2001, 2010–2012) and the

European Research Council The European Research Council (ERC) is a public body for funding of scientific and technological research conducted within the European Union (EU). Established by the European Commission in 2007, the ERC is composed of an independent Scientific ...

(2009–2013), through leading roles in the Australian Optical Society, as chair and organiser of several international science conferences, and as a member of the advisory boards of international research Centres. His awards include the Humboldt Research Prize (1999), Fellow of the Institute of Physics (UK), the

Australian Institute of Physics The Australian Institute of Physics was established in 1963, when it replaced the Australian Branch of the British Institute of Physics based in London.

(AIP) and the

Optical Society of America Optica (formerly known as The Optical Society (OSA) and before that as the Optical Society of America) is a professional society of individuals and companies with an interest in optics and photonics. It publishes journals and organizes conference ...

(OSA). He is recipient of the AIP

Walter Boas Medal The Walter Boas Medal is awarded by the Australian Institute of Physics for research in Physics in Australia. It is named in memory of is named in memory of Walter Boas (1904-1982) — an eminent scientist and metallurgist who worked on the physic ...

(2000), the AIP award for contributions to Physics (2009), the IOP/AIP Harrie Massey Medal (2010) and the AOS Beattie Steel medal (2010). He was awarded Membership in the Order of Australia (AM) on

Australia Day Australia Day is the official national day of Australia. Observed annually on 26 January, it marks the 1788 landing of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove and raising of the Union Flag by Arthur Phillip following days of exploration of Port Ja ...

2012, recognising his achievements as research scientist and educator. He has written the widely used and cited textbook " A guide to experiments in quantum Optics", with Prof. Timothy Ralph. Bachor lives with his wife Connie Bachor in Wamboin, NSW.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bachor, Hans A. 1952 births Living people People from Wolfenbüttel Fellows of the Institute of Physics Fellows of the Australian Institute of Physics Fellows of Optica (society) Members of the Order of Australia Humboldt Research Award recipients Recipients of the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany