University of Auckland physicist Miro Erkintalo has won the 2019 Prime Minister's Emerging Scientist Prize. Photo: Supplied
The concept of lasers possibly starts to conjure up images of Mission Impossible movie scenes, but in fact the technology underpins much of what we rely on in everyday life, from surgery to communications.
And new Kiwi-led research is setting up huge developments in the field, that could contribute to creating faster internet, and precision self-driving cars.
Associate Professor Miro Erkintalo of Auckland University this year won the Beatrice Hill Tinsley Medal for outstanding research published within 15 years of getting a PhD.
The Medal is awarded by the New Zealand Association of Scientists.
Dr Erkintalo is a laser physicist who combines theoretical analyses, numerical modelling, and laboratory experiments to develop novel sources of laser light, for applications ranging from telecommunications, to sensing.
He says New Zealand has the potential to be a world-leader in this industry, and it was a great honour to be awarded the Beatrice Hill Tinsley Medal.
