Take 10 with... Claude Aguergaray

1.  Describe your research topic to us in 10 words or less.

Customising lasers and shaping laser beams to tailor light-matter interactions.

2.  Now explain it in everyday terms!

Our goal is to gain better control of the interaction between the light emitted by a laser and materials we want to study or cut. To do so, we either build special lasers that emit light with specific properties, or we modify the beam shape of standard lasers. In both cases, our goal is to create the 'ideal' laser beam for our applications. Lasers are used in an extremely wide range of applications. In our lab alone, we use them to cut samples, to drill tiny holes (few microns wide or even smaller!), to detect cancer cells, to study the plankton in seawater, and many more…

3.  Describe some of your day-to-day research activities.

The Photon Factory is a very dynamic research centre with tons of projects running in parallel. As a project manager and a researcher, my day-to-day activity is split between ensuring that everything is running as smoothly as possible in the lab (admin), support students, provide guidance, and work on my own research activities.
For the last year and a half, I was also contracted by Engender Technologies to help develop a new laser-based technology capable of sorting male and female sperm for the dairy industry. This challenging project which is at the forefront of biology, physics and electronics has been a fantastic adventure.

4.  What do you enjoy most about your research?

I feel fortunate to be working in a research environment. I enjoy gaining a deeper insight and understanding of my field, but I also love learning completely new things when talking to other researchers from different backgrounds.

5.  Tell us something that has surprised you in the course of your research.

I am always surprised and fascinated by how powerful light is. It can be used for so many applications. Scientists and engineers always find new ways to control light to extract more accurate information from biological or chemical samples, to change the properties of materials, or to achieve unparalleled precision and quality when cutting microscopic objects.

6.  How have you approached any challenges you’ve faced in your research?

I think my approach in such situations is to break the problem into smaller (hopefully simpler) pieces and tackle them one by one. This is not always possible but has been very helpful when I could. In any case, a large dose of perseverance and patience is required, and talking it through with colleagues is key.

7.  What questions have emerged as a result?

By nature, research tends to generate more questions than answers. This is very true in our field. The questions can change depending on the projects. One of them is: Can a custom-designed laser used in conjunction with advanced spectroscopy techniques detect prostate cancer and contribute to better treatments for the patients?
On a broad scale, the physics of light-matter interaction has not been fully understood yet, so we are constantly trying to answer new questions. For example, what is the role of the plasma created? Or what is the influence of the surrounding environment?

8.  What kind of impact do you hope your research will have?

Laser light is a fantastic tool that is capable of cracking many problems in industry, medicine, and science otherwise impossible to solve. It is taking a larger place in our world every year. I would be very happy if I can make some contribution toward improving laser technology and help society solve some of these issues.

9.  If you collaborate across the faculty or University, who do you work with and how does it benefit your research?

Within the Photon Factory alone I have access to a wide range of expertise in engineering, chemistry, biology, and physics. Outside the group, I work with several people across the University and the faculty; for example, I’ve worked with Mark Taylor (Engineering), David Williams (Chemical Sciences), Neil Broderick (Physics), Jianyong Jin (Chemical Sciences), and Peter Gilling (FMHS) to name a few. Having the opportunity to collaborate and discuss with specialists with such diverse backgrounds is always incredibly stimulating and often gives me new perspectives to solve problems in the lab, or ideas for new projects.

10.  What one piece of advice would you give your younger, less experienced research self?

Broaden your horizons by reading and looking at what others are doing. Always ask questions if you do not understand something. Find a good mentor.