In addition, however, there is an active Australian-based program in computer simulations, electronics development and testing, and the analysis of results. The main interest of the Department is in scanning laser microscopy and related techniques in industrial inspection, Fourier optics, and image processing. Another major activity is in adaptive optics for both astronomical telescopes and confocal microscopes. Various novel techniques in confocal and non-linear microscopy are being investigated. Methods are being investigated for surface profiling, surface roughness measurement, thin film depth profiling, dimensional micrometrology and semiconductor device characterisation.
Extensive use is made of a variety of lasers.
The theories of diffraction and image formation are being investigated. Optical and digital methods of enhancement and restoration of images are also being investigated. These projects involve the use of femtosecond and other laser sources, and the laser physics and design of such lasers is an important part of this work. This program promotes research into physics education, and aims to encourage the implementation, inside and outside the university, of the findings of research in physics education. Clive Nockolds Research projects in the Unit are centred around the use of electron optical techniques for investigating microstructure.