Introduction
Professor Hans-Albert Bachor is a German-born Australian research scientist and academic leader. He was born in Wolfenbüttel, Germany, in 1952 and studied Physics in Hannover, where he received his diploma and doctorate. He took up a position at the Australian National University in 1981, was the Chair of the National Youth Science Forum in Australia and is now an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Quantum Science, Research School of Physics and Engineering at the Australian National University.
Professor Bachor established experimental quantum optics in Australia and created a widely known group for optics and laser physics, exploring the possibilities of harnessing the quantum nature of light. He has pioneered techniques for sensitive measurements beyond the quantum noise limit, for the improvement of optical sensors, interferometers, optical communication and data storage. He is active in the professional management of science, a former member of the expert panels of the Australian Research Council (1997-2001, 2010-2012) and the European Research Council (2009-2013), through leading roles in the Australian Optical Society, as chair and organiser of several international scientific conferences, and as a member of the advisory boards of global research Centers.
Professor Bachor holds many academic awards and distinctions, including the Humboldt Research Prize (1999), Fellow of the Institute of Physics (UK), the Australian Institute of Physics (AIP) and the Optical Society of America (OSA). He is recipient of the AIP Walter Boas Medal (2000), the AIP award for contributions to Physics (2009), the IOP/AIP Harrie Massey Medal (2010) and the AOS Beattie Steel medal (2010). He was awarded Membership in the Order of Australia (AM) on Australia day 2012, recognising his achievements as a research scientist and educator. He was elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science in 2014.
In this interview, Professor Bachor remembers his childhood and schooling in Germany, building lasers at Imperial College in London and discusses the impact of teachers, mentors, and friends. He recalls coming to Australia, offers insight into how he works and what he finds inspiring, and shares his thoughts on the importance of communicating science to a broad audience and the future of research in Australia.
