Dr Adam Noble obtained his PhD at Lancaster University, in a group that was transitioning from a specialism in general relativity, to a focus on accelerator physics. This approach of adapting theoretical tools and methods from one area of physics, and then applying them to a relatively unrelated field, has been a common and productive theme of Adam’s subsequent research.
He joined the University of Strathclyde as postdoctoral researcher in 2010. Most of his work has been on the interaction of charged particles with extremely strong electromagnetic fields. In particular, Adam specialises in the recoil force experienced by electrons when they emit photons – also known as “radiation reaction”. Particular highlights and achievements include: explaining why a perturbative approach to the radiation reaction remains valid even in regimes where it might be expected to break down; demonstrating that quantum effects break the isotropy of radiative beam cooling; and elucidating the physical processes responsible for radiative entropy change.
In addition to this, he is interested in tests for “new physics”, in particular, proposing a novel plasma-based method to search for “axion-like particles”, a leading candidate for dark matter.
Adam clearly enjoys researching physics at a fundamental level! He is now exploring how some of the ideas and methods he has developed can be applied to the most challenging regime of free-electron laser operation in an attempt to generate coherent gamma rays for the first time. While it is not yet known if this is even possible, any success would certainly bring a step-change in coherent light generation.
Prof Brian McNeil, University of Strathclyde