The Department was established in 1974 with the aim of developing methods of harnessing the sun's energy for useful purposes. Since that time, the interests of the Department have broadened considerably into the general areas of Applied Physics, with emphasis on the application of the methods, principles, and techniques of physics to problems of relevance in the community. The application of physics often requires the development of new theoretical approaches as well as experimental methods and techniques. Development of evacuated glazing technology and subsequent manufacture in Japan.
Novel mirror designs for efficient management of solar energy.
Development of theory to describe the optical properties of composite media. Discovery of new materials and the development of processes to fabricate them. Particularly noteworthy is research into the new form of carbon, tetrahedral amorphous carbon which was pioneered in the Department of Applied Physics. The development of new plasma deposition technology in collaboration with the Plasma Physics Department and Dr R W Boswell of the Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering, Australian National University. Professor D R McKenzie has taken over the Department of Applied Physics and Professor Collins is now Head of the School of Physics.