NU Ideas | Season 4 Talk 7 | Space Telescope & Bringing Microwave Light

Wednesday 27th May 2026 | 6pm

NU Ideas | Season 4 Talk 7

A series of talks in partnership with Northumbria University

The James Webb Space Telescope

A talk by Dr Henrik Melin, Associate Professor

School of Engineering, Physics and Mathematics

In this presentation, I will outline some of the remarkable discoveries made with the James Webb Space Telescopes, from the formation of the first galaxies in the early universe, to observations from bodies within our own Solar System. This remarkable telescope, packed with new technologies, has enabled a completely new understanding of our cosmos.

Bringing Microwave Light Out of the Cold

A talk by Dr Juna Sathian, Associate Professor and Head of Subject, Physics

Department of Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering

Research area: Photonics, microwave quantum devices, and maser technology

This new kind of microwave light — no longer locked inside cryogenic labs — is poised to transform technologies from space exploration and secure communication to how we observe the universe. It’s a quiet light with loud potential.

Microwave amplification by stimulated emission of radiation — better known as maser technology — has long been the lesser-known cousin of the laser. First demonstrated in the 1950s, masers were historically constrained by the need for extreme operating conditions: cryogenic temperatures, vacuum chambers, and strong magnetic fields. But recent breakthroughs are changing that landscape.

In this talk, I will take the audience on a journey from the early days of maser research to our recent work at Northumbria University, where we have developed the world’s first LED-pumped, room-temperature solid-state maser — an affordable and energy-efficient platform with the potential to revolutionise quantum sensing, secure communications, and deep-space science.
I will share not only the physics, but also the human story of collaboration, creativity, and persistence that brought this breakthrough to life.

A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | FREE

(If you would prefer to book directly over the phone, please call the Library Desk team on 0191 232 0192 and they will be happy to help)

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