B. King

Dr B. King is an Associate Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Plymouth, affiliated with the School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Their research focuses on nonlinear QED in extreme electromagnetic fields, including phenomena like light-by-light scattering and vacuum polarization, with applications to high-intensity laser experiments and neutron star physics. King also contributes to theoretical physics education, teaching applied mathematics and supervising dissertations in Theoretical Physics and Data Science.

Education:

• Doktor der Naturwissenschaften (Dr. rer. nat.), Universität Heidelberg (2010)
• Master of Science in Physics with Theoretical Physics, Imperial College London (2006)

Research Interests:

King's work explores the behavior of charged particles and light in intense electromagnetic fields, such as those generated by high-power lasers or magnetized neutron stars. Key areas include developing approximation frameworks for nonlinear QED effects, numerical calculations of spectral phenomena, and investigating new physics insights into QCD and cosmology. Their contributions address challenges in strong-field QED, particularly when perturbation theory fails, and they actively engage with upcoming experimental facilities like HIBEF and the LUXE collaboration to test theoretical predictions.

Scientific Awards:

• Guest Research Fellowship, Quantum Universe Excellence Cluster (2021-2022)
• Editor-in-Chief Choice Award, High Power Laser Science and Engineering (2016)
• Excellence in Peer Review, Annals of Physics (2013)
• Otto Hahn Medal, Max Planck Society (2011)
• Best Presentation, GRC Multiphoton Processes (2010)

Grants and Leadership:

King has led or co-led multiple grants totaling over £900,000, including a 2024 Leverhulme Grant (£200k) and an EPSRC Standard Grant (£450k). They also organize conferences like SFQED24 and serve as an external examiner for PhD theses in quantum field theory and particle physics.

Teaching and Supervision:

They teach courses in relativity, differential equations, and computational methods, and supervise student projects on topics ranging from black holes to quantum chaos. Notable modules include MATH3707 (Relativity and Cosmology) and MATH3628 (Maths Project).

Labs and Collaborations:

King participates in the LUXE collaboration and the Plymouth Centre for Mathematical Sciences, focusing on theoretical aspects of high-intensity laser experiments and vacuum fluctuations.