Hamish Johnson

I chose SFU for its focus and renown for research and teaching within physics and computer science, as well as its closeness to nature.

I developed an apparatus to control the polarization of laser light (the direction the electromagnetic waves wiggle) for studies of a defect — called a T centre — within silicon. By better understanding the structure of this T centre the lab aims to use it as a q-bit for quantum computing and communications.

I enjoy how encouraging the faculty is in getting undergraduates involved with research, there is a wide range of fields within physics that are all open to be explored during your program.

Talk to your professors. After class or over email set up a time to talk about their research and what they’re interested in. You will learn a lot about what they do and if that interests you, it serves as a stepping stone to ask if they have any research opportunities you can get involved with. There are also events such as departmental coffee time and seminars which welcome undergraduates at any level.