Dr Sarah Watzdorf

Grant-Funded Researcher (A)

School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences

College of Sciences


I am a grant-funded researcher in the Portable Atomic Clocks group at the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS). I work as part of a large, diverse team to develop robust portable optical atomic clocks for precision timekeeping at sea. My research area is developing frequency combs and next-generation spectroscopy systems to generate timing signals that can be used in lieu of GPS.My PhD was in solid-state lasers. I developed two Er:YAG based lasers for lidar applications. The first was a laser capable of use in the detection of methane leaks over natural gas pipelines from a light aircraft. The second was for use in the detection of radial wind speed for wind farms using coherent Doppler lidar.I am also passionate about outreach. I have volunteered as part of the Optica Student Chapter and Australian Institute of Physics. Through Optica, I chaired the organisational committee for the 2022 KOALA conference, a student-lead conference on optics, atoms, and laser applications. I have also participated in outreach activities with AIP, which included showcasing physics to high school students and attending Science Alive.

Date Position Institution name
2023 - 2025 Project Manager IPAS
2023 - ongoing Grant-funded researcher IPAS

Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
2023 Award NMI Research Impact Award National Measurement Institute Australia -
2023 Research Award Excellence in Research Award The University of Adelaide Australia -
2023 Award NMI People's Choice Award The National Measurement Institute Australia -
2022 Award Merry Wickes Transdisciplinary Prize Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing Australia -
2018 Award The David Sutton Memorial Prize The University of Adelaide Australia -

Date Institution name Country Title
University of Adelaide Australia PhD in Sciences
University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Science (Honours)
University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Science (Laser Physics and Technology)

Date Role Committee Institution Country
2023 - ongoing Member IPAS Science Network Committee Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing Australia

Date Role Membership Country
2019 - ongoing Member Australian Institute of Physics Australia

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