As part of its ongoing outreach activities, the LAMBDA Physics Group at the University of Jordan (UJ) organized an online lecture titled: “Quantumness of Light Explored in the Physics Curriculum through Experiments.” The talk was delivered by Prof. Muhammad Sabieh Anwar, a distinguished professor of physics at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Pakistan.
This event is part of the "Light Up with Physics-2024" series, which aligns with the essence of the International Day of Light, celebrating the science and applications of light worldwide.
The session commenced with a welcome address by Joud Abu-Hijjeh, a student member of the LAMBDA Physics Group, who introduced the group and its mission. Abu-Hijjeh also highlighted a significant upcoming milestone: the group’s 10th anniversary in 2025.
The founding supervisor of the LAMBDA Physics Group, Prof. Hanan Sa’adeh, introduced Anwar and moderated the session. In her opening remarks, Prof. Sa’adeh emphasized the importance of inspiring students and faculty to delve into innovative uses of light for single-photon experiments, which enrich the understanding of quantum physics.
In his lecture, Anwar offered an engaging exploration of quantum physics, beginning with foundational principles and moving to specific experiments conducted by his team. He elaborated on methods for generating single photons in laboratory settings and showcased a series of groundbreaking experiments, including demonstrations of nonlocality, quantum entanglement, and quantum interferometry.
Anwar underscored the transformative role of hands-on experiments in the physics curriculum, advocating for the establishment of quantum physics labs, particularly in developing countries, criticizing the traditional approach to quantum mechanics education, emphasizing those affordable tabletop experiments could vividly illustrate key concepts. He further noted that optics and photons offer a compelling entry point into the realm of quantum mechanics.
The event concluded with closing remarks by Reem Saif, another student member of the LAMBDA Physics Group, who extended heartfelt thanks to Prof. Anwar for his thought-provoking talk. Saif praised the lecture for sparking curiosity and motivation to explore the rapidly advancing field of quantum physics.
The webinar attracted a global audience, including faculty and students from Jordan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Egypt, Palestine, Algeria, Yemen, China, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The session concluded with an interactive discussion on physics education and experimentation.
Muhammad Sabieh Anwar, who is Professor of Physics at the LUMS Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering, holds a PhD in Quantum Computing from the University of Oxford. His research focusses on spintronics, magnetism, and optics, and he has authored nearly 100 research articles in leading journals, including Science, the Physical Review series, and Optics Express. His book on tabletop quantum mechanics experiments with single photons, published by the Institute of Physics (UK), has gained significant recognition. Additionally, his physics instructional laboratories, known as PhysLab, have been adopted by several Pakistani universities.