Professor Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop
Professor

Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 53139

Background

Professor Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop’s research interests are in the fields of atom optics, laser micromanipulation, nano optics, quantum computing and biophotonics.

She has long standing experience with lasers, linear and nonlinear high-resolution spectroscopy, laser micromanipulation, and atom cooling and trapping. She was one of the originators of the widely used laser enhanced ionisation spectroscopy technique and is well known for her recent work in laser micromanipulation. She has been also working (Nanotechnology Laboratory, Göteborg, Sweden) in the field of nano- and microfabrication in order to produce the microstructures needed for optically driven micromachines and tips for the scanning force microscopy with optically trapped stylus. Recently she led the team that observed dynamical tunnelling in quantum chaotic system. Additionally Prof. Rubinsztein-Dunlop has led the new effort into development of new nano-structured quantum dots for quantum computing and other advanced device related applications.

Availability

Professor Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Physical Sciences

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Gothenburg

Research interests

  • Biophotonics

    The multidisciplinary Centre for Biophotonics and Laser Science is engaged in projects such as laser dentistry, optical micromanipulation and hyperpolarised NMR gas imaging.

  • Nano-optics and quantum computing

    We study colloidal quantum dots for use in future quantum technologies. Our system is based on a fluorescence activated PbS quantum dot. We are developing techniques for single dot detection, for the demonstration of a single qubit operation, and for controlled entanglement between two dots.

  • Laser micromanipulation

    We are characterising the optical forces developed in laser tweezers, including micro-rotational dynamics studies and optical angular momentum transfer. We have demonstrated the principals of an all optically-driven micromachine. Our studies are multidisciplinary, involving synaptic connections, microrheology, DNA twisting, and cell properties.

  • Atom optics

    Using laser beams, we trap and cool atoms until their behaviour is governed by quantum theory. We have used this technology to verify theoretical predictions, such as dynamic quantum tunnelling. Our recent work involves the production of a micro-Bose Einstein condensate, which can be moved around on an �atomic chip�.

Search Professor Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop’s works on UQ eSpace

446 works between 1974 and 2025
All (446) Journal Article (251) Book Chapter (14) Conference Publication (179) Other Outputs (2)

1 - 20 of 446 works

2025

Journal Article

Shear-induced decaying turbulence in Bose-Einstein condensates

Simjanovski, S., Gauthier, G., Rubinsztein-Dunlop, H., Reeves, M. T. and Neely, T. W. (2025). Shear-induced decaying turbulence in Bose-Einstein condensates. Physical Review A, 111 (2) 023314. doi: 10.1103/physreva.111.023314

Shear-induced decaying turbulence in Bose-Einstein condensates

2025

Journal Article

Interrogating the Ballistic Regime in Liquids with Rotational Optical Tweezers

Watson, Mark, Stilgoe, Alexander, Favre-Bulle, Itia and Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Halina (2025). Interrogating the Ballistic Regime in Liquids with Rotational Optical Tweezers. Optica, 12 (2), 246-254. doi: 10.1364/optica.549215

Interrogating the Ballistic Regime in Liquids with Rotational Optical Tweezers

2024

Conference Publication

Tracking active matter particles with DeepTrack

Grant, Patrick, Nieminen, Timo A., Stilgoe, Alexander and Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Halina (2024). Tracking active matter particles with DeepTrack. SPIE Nanoscience + Engineering, San Diego, CA United States, 18-23 August 2024. Bellingham, WA United States: SPIE. doi: 10.1117/12.3027939

Tracking active matter particles with DeepTrack

2024

Conference Publication

High-bandwidth rotational optical tweezers for ultrafast and calibration-free viscometry in fluids

Watson, Mark L., Stilgoe, Alexander B., Favre-Bulle, Itia A. and Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Halina (2024). High-bandwidth rotational optical tweezers for ultrafast and calibration-free viscometry in fluids. SPIE Nanoscience + Engineering, San Diego, CA United States, 18-23 August 2024. Bellingham, WA United States: SPIE. doi: 10.1117/12.3028345

High-bandwidth rotational optical tweezers for ultrafast and calibration-free viscometry in fluids

2024

Conference Publication

Sculpted light and all optically driven micro and nanomachines

Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Halina, Favre-Bulle, Itia A., Watson, Mark L., Grant, Patrick, Nieminen, Timo A. and Stilgoe, Alexander B. (2024). Sculpted light and all optically driven micro and nanomachines. SPIE Organic Photonics + Electronics, San Diego, CA United States, 18-23 August 2024. Bellingham, WA United States: SPIE. doi: 10.1117/12.3030461

Sculpted light and all optically driven micro and nanomachines

2024

Journal Article

Shining light in mechanobiology: optical tweezers, scissors, and beyond

Stilgoe, Alexander B., Favre-Bulle, Itia A., Watson, Mark L., Gomez-Godinez, Veronica, Berns, Michael W., Preece, Daryl and Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Halina (2024). Shining light in mechanobiology: optical tweezers, scissors, and beyond. ACS Photonics, 11 (3), 917-940. doi: 10.1021/acsphotonics.4c00064

Shining light in mechanobiology: optical tweezers, scissors, and beyond

2024

Journal Article

Tired and stressed: direct holographicquasi-static stretching of aging echinocytes and discocytes in plasma using optical tweezers

Stilgoe, Alexander, Kashchuk, Anatolii, Balanant, Marie Anne, Santangelo, Deborah, Nieminen, Timo, Sauret, Emilie, flower, robert and Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Halina (2024). Tired and stressed: direct holographicquasi-static stretching of aging echinocytes and discocytes in plasma using optical tweezers. Biomedical Optics Express, 15 (2), 656-671. doi: 10.1364/boe.504779

Tired and stressed: direct holographicquasi-static stretching of aging echinocytes and discocytes in plasma using optical tweezers

2023

Journal Article

Optimizing persistent currents in a ring-shaped Bose-Einstein condensate using machine learning

Simjanovski, Simeon, Gauthier, Guillaume, Davis, Matthew J., Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Halina and Neely, Tyler W. (2023). Optimizing persistent currents in a ring-shaped Bose-Einstein condensate using machine learning. Physical Review A, 108 (6) 063306. doi: 10.1103/physreva.108.063306

Optimizing persistent currents in a ring-shaped Bose-Einstein condensate using machine learning

2023

Conference Publication

Sensing inertia with rotational optical tweezers

Watson, Mark L., Stilgoe, Alexander B., Favre-Bulle, Itia A., Nieminen, Timo A. and Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Halina (2023). Sensing inertia with rotational optical tweezers. SPIE Nanoscience + Engineering, San Diego, CA United States, 20-25 August 2023. Bellingham, WA United States: SPIE. doi: 10.1117/12.2677236

Sensing inertia with rotational optical tweezers

2023

Conference Publication

Optical tweezers in mechanobiology

Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Halina, Watson, Mark L., Favre-Bulle, Itia, Grant, Patrick, Nieminen, Timo A. and Stilgoe, Alexander B. (2023). Optical tweezers in mechanobiology. Optical Trapping and Optical Micromanipulation XX: SPIE Nanoscience + Engineering, San Diego, CA United States, 20-25 August 2023. Bellingham, WA United States: SPIE. doi: 10.1117/12.2682972

Optical tweezers in mechanobiology

2023

Journal Article

Viability of rotation sensing using phonon interferometry in Bose-Einstein condensates

Woffinden, Charles, Groszek, Andrew J., Gauthier, Guillaume, Mommers, Bradley J., Bromley, Michael W. J., Haine, Simon A., Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Halina, Davis, Matthew J., Neely, Tyler W. and Baker, Mark (2023). Viability of rotation sensing using phonon interferometry in Bose-Einstein condensates. SciPost Physics, 15 (4) 128, 1-22. doi: 10.21468/scipostphys.15.4.128

Viability of rotation sensing using phonon interferometry in Bose-Einstein condensates

2023

Conference Publication

Accelerating optical tweezers simulations with auto-encoders

Lenton, Isaac C. D., Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Halina and Waitukaitis, Scott R. (2023). Accelerating optical tweezers simulations with auto-encoders. SPIE Nanoscience + Engineering, San Diego, CA United States, 20-25 August 2023. Bellingham, WA United States: SPIE. doi: 10.1117/12.2672782

Accelerating optical tweezers simulations with auto-encoders

2023

Journal Article

Quantum thermodynamics

Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Halina (2023). Quantum thermodynamics. AVS Quantum Science, 5 (3) 030401, 1-3. doi: 10.1116/5.0160436

Quantum thermodynamics

2023

Conference Publication

Vector beam shaping for transverse angular momentum transfer

Stilgoe, Alexander B., Gillies, Naran and Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Halina (2023). Vector beam shaping for transverse angular momentum transfer. Complex Light and Optical Forces XVII, San Francisco, CA United States, 28 January - 3 February 2023. Bellingham, WA United States: International Society for Optical Engineering. doi: 10.1117/12.2657224

Vector beam shaping for transverse angular momentum transfer

2023

Conference Publication

Aberration corrected structured light for in-house fabrication of functional micro-structures

Armstrong, Declan J., Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Halina, Nieminen, Timo A. and Stilgoe, Alexander (2023). Aberration corrected structured light for in-house fabrication of functional micro-structures. SPIE OPTO, San Francisco, CA United States, 28 January - 3 February 2023. Bellingham, WA United States: SPIE. doi: 10.1117/12.2657795

Aberration corrected structured light for in-house fabrication of functional micro-structures

2023

Journal Article

Roadmap for Optical Tweezers 2023

Volpe, Giovanni, Marago, Onofrio M, Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Halina, Pesce, Giuseppe, Stilgoe, Alexander, Volpe, Giorgio, Tkachenko, Georgiy, Truong, Viet Giang, Nic Chormaic, Sile, Kalantarifard, Fatemeh, Elahi, Parviz, Kall, Mikael, Callegari, Agnese, Marqués, Manuel, Neves, Antonio, Saija, Rosalba, Beck, Paul, Eismann, Jörg, Banzer, Peter, Fernandes, Thales, Pedaci, Francesco, Bowen, Warwick, Roy, Basudev, Thalhammer, Gregor, Ritsch-Marte, Monika, Perez Garcia, Laura, Arzola, Alejandro, Perez Castillo, Isaac, Argun, Aykut ... Swartzlander, Grover A (2023). Roadmap for Optical Tweezers 2023. Journal of Physics: Photonics, 5 (2) 022501, 1-135. doi: 10.1088/2515-7647/acb57b

Roadmap for Optical Tweezers 2023

2022

Conference Publication

Sculpted light in optical micromanipulation and quantum atom optics

Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Halina (2022). Sculpted light in optical micromanipulation and quantum atom optics. SPIE/COS Photonics Asia, Online, 5-12 December 2022. Bellingham, WA United States: SPIE. doi: 10.1117/12.2656162

Sculpted light in optical micromanipulation and quantum atom optics

2022

Journal Article

Spin–orbit interaction in non-paraxial Gaussian beams and the spin-only measurement of optical torque

Nieminen, Timo A., Watson, Mark Liam, Loke, Vincent L. Y., Stilgoe, Alexander and Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Halina (2022). Spin–orbit interaction in non-paraxial Gaussian beams and the spin-only measurement of optical torque. Journal of Optics, 24 (12) 124001, 1-10. doi: 10.1088/2040-8986/ac9c6e

Spin–orbit interaction in non-paraxial Gaussian beams and the spin-only measurement of optical torque

2022

Journal Article

Improved two-photon photopolymerisation and optical trapping with aberration-corrected structured light

Armstrong, D. J., Stilgoe, A. B., Nieminen, T. A. and Rubinsztein-Dunlop, H. (2022). Improved two-photon photopolymerisation and optical trapping with aberration-corrected structured light. Frontiers in Nanotechnology, 4 998656, 1-12. doi: 10.3389/fnano.2022.998656

Improved two-photon photopolymerisation and optical trapping with aberration-corrected structured light

2022

Conference Publication

Optically driven nano and micromachines in optical tweezers

Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Halina, Armstrong, Declan, Watson, Mark, Favre-Bulle, Itia, Nieminen, Timo and Stilgoe, Alexander B. (2022). Optically driven nano and micromachines in optical tweezers. SPIE Organic Photonics + Electronics, San Diego, CA United States, 21-26 August 2022. Bellingham, WA United States: SPIE. doi: 10.1117/12.2639995

Optically driven nano and micromachines in optical tweezers

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2027
    Vortex matter simulators of two-dimensional melting
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2025 - 2027
    CERQuS: Cavity-Enhanced Rydberg Quantum Sensors for Bioelectrics
    Quantum 2032 Challenge Program
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2030
    ARC Centre of Excellence in Quantum Biotechnology
    ARC Centres of Excellence
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Cell fluid interaction: inside and outside cells
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2025
    ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQuS2)
    ARC Centres of Excellence
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2020 - 2022
    An integrated platform for studying sensory networks in the vertebrate brain
    United States National Institutes of Health
    Open grant
  • 2020
    Multi-kilohertz laser for attosecond and ultrafast science (ARC LIEF led by Griffith University)
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Inertial sensing with a quantum gas phonon interferometer
    Commonwealth Defence Science and Technology Group
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Brain-wide mapping of sensory perception and integration in a vertebrate model
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Multimode optical waveguide characterisation facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Australian Quantum Gas Microscope (ARC LIEF grant administered by Swinburne University of Technology)
    Swinburne University of Technology
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    Probe-free biophysical force and torque measurements with optical tweezers
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Riding a quantum wave: transport and flow of atomic quantum fluids
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Advanced Superfluid Physics Facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Force microscopy with arbitrary optically-trapped probes and application to internal mechanics of cells
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Live molecular imaging using super resolution microscopy, two photon and spinning disk confocal microscopy
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2013
    Ultrafast Laser Photophysics Facilities for Physical, Chemical, Biological and Materials Sciences
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Achieving high sensitivity in cavity optomechanical magnetometry
    United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2017
    ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQuS)
    ARC Centres of Excellence
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Dynamics of constrained Brownian motion of neuro-secretory vesicles.
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Ultra-precision cutting and polishing machines for fabricating high-Q crystalline resonators (ARC LIEF administered by ANU)
    ARC LIEF Collaborating/Partner Organisation Contributions
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Ultracold facility for investigation of light-matter interactions
    UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Improved quantification of spatial and temporal changes in plasma and tissue drug levels and tissue pathology
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Laser facility for quantum optics, imaging, and fabrication (ARC LIEF Administered by University of Melbourne)
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Quantum limited single atom detectors (ARC LIEF Administered by Australian National Univeristy)
    Australian National University
    Open grant
  • 2007
    An Australian Attosecond Science Facility
    ARC LIEF Collaborating/Partner Organisation Contributions
    Open grant
  • 2006
    Foundational National Nanotechnology Infrastructure
    ARC LIEF Collaborating/Partner Organisation Contributions
    Open grant
  • 2006
    National Nanolithography Facility
    ARC LIEF Collaborating/Partner Organisation Contributions
    Open grant
  • 2004
    ARC Network in Imaging Science and Technology
    ARC Seed Funding for Research Networks
    Open grant
  • 2004
    In Vivo Fluorescence Spectroscopy Of Hard And Soft Pigmented Tissues
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    Nonlinear dynamics and chaos in Bose-Einstein Condensates on atom chips
    ARC Linkage International
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2010
    ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computer Technology (UNSW lead institution)
    ARC Centres of Excellence
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2007
    Quantum Atom Optics and Single Atom Detection with Micro-Bose-Einstein Condensates
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2002
    Dynamics of atomic BEC's in mesoscopic wires
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2001
    Super-Resolution in Microscopy - A Novel Approach Using Standing Waves.
    University of Queensland Small Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2000 - 2002
    Decoherence in quantum chaos
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 2000 - 2002
    Optical investigation of combustion in an upstream-injected supersonic-combustion ramjet
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 2000
    Special Research Centre for Quantum Computer Technology
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant
  • 2000
    Using Optical Tweezers and Scissors to Unravel Chloroplast Ultrastructure.
    UQ Foundation
    Open grant
  • 1999
    Laser cooling of solids
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2001
    Measurement of Mesoscale Forces and Rotational Dynamics using Optical Tweezers
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 1997 - 1998
    Optical trap scanning force microscopy
    DIST Bilateral Science & Technology Collab.Program
    Open grant
  • 1997 - 1999
    Experimental tests of quantum nonlinear dynamics in atom optics
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 1997 - 1998
    Optical tweezer micromanipulation of axons for construction of neural microcircuitry
    UQ Foundation
    Open grant
  • 1996 - 1997
    Improved fault determination in optical fibres/Location of buried marker tapes
    Optus Communications
    Open grant
  • 1996 - 1997
    Application of optical tweezers in polymer rheology and cellular biology
    Quality Funds Round 3
    Open grant
  • 1996 - 1997
    Mechanism of optical trapping for absorbing and reflecting particles
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1996
    Optical imaging for multi-parameter diagnostics in super orbital facilities
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop is:
Available for supervision

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Available projects

  • Control and measurement of optical active matter

    Swarms of optically driven particles interact with each-other and their environment. Enquire about one of several projects that are aimed at revealing several aspects of the hidden inner workings of optical active matter.

    Supervised by Halina Rubisnztein-Dunlop and Alex Stilgoe

  • Physical versus behavioural interactions in collective motion in active matter

    Self-propelled active matter particles take energy from their environment and use it for motion and/or other purposes. Interaction between the active matter particles can result in collective motion such as flocking, schooling, and swarming, as seen with birds, fish, insects, and bacteria. The interactions can be behavioural ("Which way are my neighbours flying? How close are they?") or physical (e.g., bacteria). One important question is to what extent can artificial active matter particles, with purely physical interactions between them, mimic the complex collective motion driven by behaviour.

    Supervised by Halina Rubisnztein-Dunlop and Alex Stilgoe

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop directly for media enquiries about:

  • Atom optics
  • Laser micromanipulation
  • Lasers
  • Lasers - UV and visible
  • Linear laser spectroscopy
  • Multiphoton imaging
  • Optics - atomic
  • Photons
  • Spectroscopy

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