About B.
Associate Professor of Theoretical Physics
My research studies how charged particles and light behave in intense electromagnetic fields such as one would find in the most intense laser pulses or in the very strong fields of magnetised neutron stars. This research area is sometimes called `nonlinear' or `strong-field' QED (quantum electrodynamics) and the main tool to study it is quantum field theory.
Final-year Tutor for Maths and Stats BSc Programmes
My lecturing is centred around applied mathematics and theoretical physics. I teach courses to undergraduate mathematicians that feature classical mechanics, ordinary differential equations (ODEs), vector calculus, computational methods and cosmology. Some of my lecturing is on introductory mathematics for engineering students. I also supervise BSc dissertations in Theoretical Physics and MSc dissertations in Data Science.
Qualifications:
- Doktor der Naturwissenschaften (Dr. rer. nat.); Universität Heidelberg (2010)
- Master in Science: Physics with Theoretical Physics; Imperial College London (2006)
Research interests:
- Phenomenology of nonlinear QED in strong fields
- Approximation frameworks for nonlinear QED effects
- Numerical calculation of nonlinear QED spectra
- New physics in intense electromagnetic fields
Awards
2017 Editor-in-Chief Choice Award 2016 (with Dr Tom Heinzl) for High Power Laser Science and Engineering 4, e5 (2016)
2013 Excellence in Peer Review, Annals of Physics
2011 Otto Hahn Medal of the Max Planck Society
2010 Best presentation, GRC Multiphoton Processes
I am a member of the Plymouth Centre for Mathematical Sciences
Serving as external examiner:
PhD Examinations
- 26/01/2023, Rapporteur, Anthony Mercuri-Baron, Sorbonne Universite, Paris
"Pair creation in extreme light : highlights on vortex laser beams"
- 24/11/2022, External Examiner, Jonathan Jacob Beesley, Imperial College London
"Ultra-Relativistic Thermal Production of Electrons and Positrons"
- 10/12/2021, External Examiner, Christian Flohr Nielsen, Aarhus University, Denmark
"Elementary Particles and their Interaction with Strong Electromagnetic Fields"
- 07/05/2020,External Examiner, Ramy Aboushelbaya, University of Oxford
"Orbital Angular Momentum in High-Intensity Laser Interactions"
- 20/04/2019,Examiner, Benjamin Wettervik, Chalmers University of Technology
"Modelling of laser plasma interaction with applications to particle acceleration
and radiation generation"
- 19/09/2016, Zweitgutachter, Patrick Boehl, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
"Vacuum Harmonic Generation in Slowly Varying
Electromagnetic Backgrounds"
Invited lectures:
13) 16/11/2016 "Strong-Field QED in High-Power Lasers", Helmholtz Institute, Jena, Germany
Conferences organised
Teaching
- MATH3707 - Relativity and Cosmology (Lecturer) (2023-)
- MATH2704 - Ordinary Differential Equations (Module Leader) (2019-2021, 2022-)
The module aims to provide an introduction to different types of ordinary differential equations and analytical and numerical methods to obtain their solutions. Extensive use will be made of computational mathematics packages. Applications to mechanical and chemical systems are considered as well as the chaotic behaviour seen in climate models. - MATH2706 - Complex analysis and Vector Calculus (Lecturer) (2023-)
- MATH3628 - Maths Project (Supervisor) (2014-)
A year-long project module, in which students work one-to-one with a member of staff to gain an in-depth understanding in a mathematical area of their interest. Previous projects supervised include: i) Schwarzschild Black Holes; ii) Henon-Heiles nonlinear dynamics and chaos; iii) Vacuum energy and the Casimir Effect in (1+1)D; iv) Dynamical symmetries in Kepler orbits and the Hydrogen atom; v) Criticality in percolation and self-organisation in 1D sandpiles; vi) the effect of setting a juggling club on fire on the club's dynamics - ENGR104 - Engineering Mathematics (Module Leader) (2021-)
This course is designed to provide you with a number of fundamental mathematical skills and techniques which are essential for the analysis of engineering problems. The topics covered are: basic maths techniques; complex variables; differentiation; matrices and determinants; integration; vector theory; ODEs with engineering applications.
Older Courses:
- MATH3606 - Classical and Quantum Mechanics (Module Leader) (2014-2023)
This module introduces advanced classical mechanics and the key ideas of quantum mechanics to students with a mathematics background. An overarching theme will be the key role of symmetry, both for classical motion and quantum behaviour. - MATH2604 - Mathematical Methods and Applications (Module Leader) (2014-2021, 2022-2023)
Vector calculus is extended to higher dimensions and applied to a range of important scientific problems primarily from classical mechanics and cosmology. Differential and integral calculus is applied to the solution of differential equations and the orthogonal functions bases are constructed. The crucial mathematical concepts of integral transforms (Fourier and Laplace) and Fourier series are introduced. - MATH257 - Computer Aided Mathematics (Module Leader) (2014-2018)
Students will be taught advanced mathematical techniques and their application using the MATLAB computer software package to solve engineering mathematics problems. The module will also introduce the students to the theoretical fundamentals of finite element analysis.
Contact B.
Room 209, 2 Kirkby Place, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA
+44 1752 586340
b.king@plymouth.ac.uk