Monday, 17 February 2025
Researchers from the University of Nottingham’s Gravity Laboratory, alongside student LEGO enthusiasts, have developed unique LEGO-based interferometer kits to make quantum science more accessible and engaging.
The kits are designed for secondary and older pupils, embracing a hands-on approach with LEGO bricks that are suitable for classroom use. The fully functional LEGO interferometer sets are designed to replicate professional optical equipment, bridging the gap between abstract concepts of cutting-edge technology and tangible demonstrations that captivate live audiences. With easy-to-follow instructions, these kits serve as valuable teaching aids, inspiring the next generation of scientists.
Featuring lasers, mirrors, and beamsplitters, the kits demonstrate the principles of interferometry. When two laser beams are combined, they create a delicate, alternating pattern of dark and bright stripes, known as an interference pattern. This pattern is highly sensitive to even the tiniest changes in the lengths of the beams, otherwise imperceivable to our senses. Interferometry has a range of practical applications that touch our daily lives. For example, it enables eye doctors to capture detailed images of the retina, helping in precise diagnoses and treatment of eye conditions. It's also used to improve navigation systems by providing us with the most accurate rotation sensors. In science, interferometry plays a crucial role in detecting gravitational waves, which are ripples in spacetime caused by massive cosmic events, allowing astronomers to gain new insights into the Universe.
This project, titled Photon Bricks and led by Dr. Patrik Svancara, a Research Fellow from the School of Mathematical Sciences, is funded under the UKRI’s Quantum Technologies for Fundamental Physics Programme, which demonstrates how quantum technologies can explore key physics questions, such as dark matter, gravity, and the quantum properties of elementary particles.
Photon Bricks have completely transformed the way I see my research. Developing this project made me realise just how incredibly similar my work as a quantum scientist is to the hands-on creativity of building with LEGO. It’s an absolute thrill to show the public that cutting-edge research isn’t just complex equations. It’s so much more about curiosity, problem-solving, and gradually bringing ideas to life, brick by brick!
Photon Bricks is currently showcased at the exhibition Cosmic Titans: Art, Science, and the Quantum Universe at the Djanogly Art Gallery in Nottingham. Running from 25 January to 27 April 2025, the exhibition features hands-on workshops and public demonstrations of Photon Bricks. Visitors can interact with the scientists behind Photon Bricks, observe the LEGO interferometer in action, and learn the basic principles of interferometry.
Dr. Patrik Svancara aligns the LEGO interferometer for the workshop participants
The first workshop was fully booked months in advance. Néstor Valero-Silva, a participant in the workshop, said: "This approach makes science very accessible. It's a great way to communicate complex concepts to a broader audience without requiring extensive knowledge of physics." Hilary McCullagh, another participant said: "At first, I thought the Cosmic Titans exhibition would be too complicated. Physics has always been a closed book to me. But this talk was amazing, and the use of LEGO made it understandable." Due to the high demand, Lakeside Arts has added four more Quantum Lego workshops in April.
University of Nottingham students engaging in the development of Photon Bricks
Cosmic Titans including Photon Bricks were developed as part of ARTlab, an ArtScience initiative at the University of Nottingham. ARTlab’s mission is to engage the public, widen research communities, host artists in residency programs, and promote playful approaches to science
It was amazing to see everyone's energy and drive make this project a success. In just a few months, we transformed piles of Lego into fully working interferometers. Including students at the University of Nottingham was a wonderful experience, offering them the chance to learn new concepts in a playful manner.
To delve further into the intricate world of quantum physics, Dr. Svancara contrasted the LEGO interferometer with commercially available demonstration of single-photon interference, which showcases the famous Schrödinger's cat thought experiment through interferometry, which is the idea in quantum physics that tiny particles can be in two places at once until they are observed.
To delve further into the intricate world of quantum physics, Dr. Svancara contrasted the LEGO interferometer with commercially available demonstration of single-photon interference, which showcases the famous Schrödinger's cat thought experiment through interferometry, which is the idea in quantum physics that tiny particles can be in two places at once until they are observed. Valero-Silva remarked, “Both interferometers proved to be very useful, with the single-photon interferometer elevating the experience to the next level. Without the LEGO interferometer, the demonstration would have been much more challenging. The additional explanations were also incredibly helpful.” McCullagh stated "I had always found quantum concepts unbelievable, but witnessing the live demonstration made it more concrete, showcasing how two things can exist simultaneously, like Schrödinger's cat being both dead and alive."
The significance of quantum science has been recognized this year, with the United Nations declaring 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology to raise public awareness of its importance and impact on various aspects of life. Dr. Svancara and Prof. Weinfurtner are developing the LEGO Interferometer kits in collaboration with Professor Hartmut Grote, who provides expertise for the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), the world's largest observatory for detecting gravitational waves from space, and Dr. Chris North, both from Cardiff University. Nottingham is responsible for the development and testing of the interferometers. The LEGO blueprints have been passed on to Cardiff, where the team will create copies and develop materials to upskill science teachers. Training materials and Photon Brick sets will be available to teachers in the wider Nottingham and Cardiff regions.
The hope is that the LEGO sets will eventually be available throughout the UK.
We are sharing our experiences, LEGO interferometer blueprints, and instruction manuals across various online platforms to ensure our activities have a lasting impact and reach their full potential. With quantum technology advancing rapidly, we aim to equip the future quantum workforce with the passion, knowledge, and skills needed to further this exciting field of research. Prof. Weinfurtner adds “We are excited to enter the next stage of the project, which is to engage with teachers and pupils. We invite teachers to get in touch with us to use the interferometers in their classrooms and bring quantum science to life for their students.
There is a new Quantum Science and Technology MSc at the University of Nottingham taught jointly by experts from the Schools of Physics and Astronomy and Mathematical Sciences and provides excellent training for a career in the fast-paced Quantum Technology sector as well as for PhD studies. The course covers both theoretical and practical aspects of Quantum Science and Technology, including Quantum Information, Computation, and Quantum Devices. It also addresses related topics such as Machine Learning and Scientific Programming. The programme is unique in its focus on Quantum Sensing and Metrology, an area in which Nottingham enjoys international recognition.
Single-photon interferometer on display at the Angear Visitor Centre in the Djanogly Art Gallery, Nottingham
Story credits
More information is available from Patrik Svancara on patrik.svancara@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 24 in Europe and 15th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the third most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2024 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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