Dr John Holdsworth

Dr John Holdsworth

Principal Researcher
P: +61 2 4921 5436
E: John.Holdsworth@newcastle.edu.au

View Research Profile
View Staff Profile

I trained as a molecular spectroscopist under Prof. Alan Knight at Griffith University for all my degrees with a central theme of applications of lasers in this field, including laser isotope enrichment, multi-photon ionisation, laser ablation from liquids, cavity ringdown spectroscopy , collisional energy transfer in iodine as probed by laser fluorescence and laser induced chemical vapour deposition.

During the years 1980-1988 I worked in industry developing the initial prototype copper and gold vapour lasers and optical fibre attachments for lasers for Quentron Optics Pty. Ltd. under an Industrial Research and Development Grant and held various positions within that company including research and development scientist. I worked for Spectra-Physics the international laser company, for a three year period in laser applications until returning to Ph.D. study during 1991-1995. During 1995-2001, I transferred to the Philippines and helped to establish a research group performing LIDAR studies of the atmosphere.

My appointment as Photonics Program Coordinator in 2001 brought me to Newcastle as a teaching academic. In order to establish a research dimension to this position I have collaborated with David Booth and Keith Gibbs to measure fluorescent lifetimes in Pr doped ZBLAN glass. I collaborated with Stuart Young of CSIRO and atmospheric scientists to measure dust concentrations with LIDAR. I collaborate with the OFTC on microstructured fibre devices and have shared students with them. I collaborate with Paul Dastoor and research group colleagues and have developed the photocurrent mapping technique using near field scanning optical microscopy which, for the first time, has allowed the photocurrent output from morphological features to be probed. Spectrally resolved photocurrent detection from conductive polymer films has been established as a standard test in our laboratories.

Ultra-fast detection of exciton lifetime in polyphenylenevinylene using a supercontinuum generated in microstructured optical fibre is a topic of current research within the research group and I supervise a RHD student in this area. I collaborate on developing two-photon microscopy for biological applications and supervise a student in this area.

I bring 28 years of experience in molecular science, optical sources, equipment and detection, signal extraction and amplification to the research effort at Newcastle.

Qualifications:

  • Ph.D.(Griffith)
  • B.Sc., B.Sc.(Hons.)

Member:

  • Optical Society of America
  • Australian Optical Society
  • Australian Institute of Physics
  • Institute of Physics.

Research Interests:

  • Lasers and applications
  • Two photon microscopy
  • Fibre lasers
  • Multi-wavelength Near-field Scanning Optical Microscopy
  • Ultrafast laser spectroscopy