Edward Hinds is a physicist who has conducted pioneering research into the behaviour of matter at temperatures approaching absolute zero. His many contributions to the study of ultracold atoms include accurate measurements of the electron’s electric dipole moment — an elusive property of great physical consequence.
A world leader in the development of new techniques to study atomic systems at low temperatures, he constructed optical cavities small enough to fit on a tiny chip, where they can be used to study individual particles at will. Edward also conducted the first measurement of the Casimir–Polder force, which arises between an atom and a surface within a vacuum.
Edward is currently a Royal Society Research Professor and Director of the Centre for Cold Matter at Imperial College London. A Fellow of numerous international learned societies, in 2008 he received both the Thomson Medal and Prize of the Institute of Physics and the Rumford Medal of the Royal Society.
Subject groups
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Astronomy and Physics
Elementary particle physics
Awards
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Rumford Medal
For his extensive and highly innovative work in ultra-cold matter.
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Bakerian Medal and Lecture
For his achievements in controlling individual atoms, molecules and photons. With these, he has advanced our understanding of fundamental phenomena such as Casimir forces, dark energy, and supersymmetry.
