Jonathan Leach

Professor Jonathan Leach’s research interests lie in applying classical and quantum optics techniques to solve problems in information science, nano-photonic optical sensing, and computational imaging. His work in the field of quantum optics includes using high-dimensional quantum entanglement to show violations of generalised Bell inequalities, holographic ghost imaging, and an experimental demonstration of the angular EPR paradox. These experiments explore the capabilities of high-dimensional spatial entanglement for important quantum information protocols.  He is an integral member of the Quantum Imaging Hub—part of the UK’s initiative in quantum technologies. His role in this has been the development of applications for single-photon sensitive detector arrays.  This recent activity has led to Professor Leach joining the NATO panel on the modelling of single photon imaging. 
 
Jonathan Leach started his undergraduate work at the University of Manchester and then moved to study at the University of Glasgow, where he obtained an MSc in physics.  After earning a  PhD from the University of Glasgow, he worked to integrate the fields of optical trapping and microfluidics to develop ultra-sensitive sensors. In addition to being a postdoctoral researcher in the Optics Group at the University of Glasgow, he gained industrial experience by working with Lumerical Inc., a world-leading nano-photonic design software company. He went on to become  a senior research associate in the Quantum Photonics group at the University of Ottawa, where he worked closely with Professor Robert Boyd, the Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC), to develop the research program in nanophotonic methods for quantum nonlinear optics. In the autumn, of 2012, he joined Heriot-Watt University to establish a research program in experimental quantum optics.