Skip to main content

Site navigation

  • University of Technology Sydney home
  • Home

    Home
  • For students

  • For industry

  • Research

Explore

  • Courses
  • Events
  • News
  • Stories
  • People

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt
  • Study at UTS

    • arrow_right_alt Find a course
    • arrow_right_alt Course areas
    • arrow_right_alt Undergraduate students
    • arrow_right_alt Postgraduate students
    • arrow_right_alt Research Masters and PhD
    • arrow_right_alt Online study and short courses
  • Student information

    • arrow_right_alt Current students
    • arrow_right_alt New UTS students
    • arrow_right_alt Graduates (Alumni)
    • arrow_right_alt High school students
    • arrow_right_alt Indigenous students
    • arrow_right_alt International students
  • Admissions

    • arrow_right_alt How to apply
    • arrow_right_alt Entry pathways
    • arrow_right_alt Eligibility
arrow_right_altVisit our hub for students

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt

POPULAR LINKS

  • Apply for a coursearrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt
  • Scholarshipsarrow_right_alt
  • Featured industries

    • arrow_right_alt Agriculture and food
    • arrow_right_alt Defence and space
    • arrow_right_alt Energy and transport
    • arrow_right_alt Government and policy
    • arrow_right_alt Health and medical
    • arrow_right_alt Corporate training
  • Explore

    • arrow_right_alt Tech Central
    • arrow_right_alt Case studies
    • arrow_right_alt Research
arrow_right_altVisit our hub for industry

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt

POPULAR LINKS

  • Find a UTS expertarrow_right_alt
  • Partner with usarrow_right_alt
  • Explore

    • arrow_right_alt Explore our research
    • arrow_right_alt Research centres and institutes
    • arrow_right_alt Graduate research
    • arrow_right_alt Research partnerships
arrow_right_altVisit our hub for research

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt

POPULAR LINKS

  • Find a UTS expertarrow_right_alt
  • Research centres and institutesarrow_right_alt
  • University of Technology Sydney home
University of Technology Sydney home University of Technology Sydney home
  1. home
  2. arrow_forward_ios ... Newsroom
  3. arrow_forward_ios ... 2023
  4. arrow_forward_ios 07
  5. arrow_forward_ios 'Light whisperer' Alex Solntsev awarded 2023 Young Tall Poppy

'Light whisperer' Alex Solntsev awarded 2023 Young Tall Poppy

26 July 2023

UTS optical physicist Alex Solntsev has been honoured with a NSW 2023 Young Tall Poppy Science Award.

Alexander Solntsev

Alexander Solntsev. Photo: Supplied

What are your areas of expertise?

I'm a bit of a "light whisperer". I study how light interacts with super tiny structures, those that are even smaller than a strand of your hair! The scientific terms for my area of expertise are photonics and nanophotonics, which basically deal with the amazing and often surprising things that light can do.

What research are you working on currently?

Right now, I'm exploring how we can use a laser to fiddle with individual particles of light (we call these 'photons'). These photons can be of different wavelengths, and we get to control various properties of them like their frequency, direction, and even their polarisation.

Why is it important?

Just imagine the Internet being faster, more efficient, and greener! My research is part of a worldwide effort to build the next generation internet. We are aiming to use light to power our communication and computing systems, to keep up with the growing demand for speed and data bandwidth while also being eco-friendly.

What inspired or prompted you to work in this field?

As a kid, I was always fascinated by light – rainbows, mirrors, anything that sparkled. As I grew up, this fascination turned into a desire to study light in more detail, leading me into the world of photonics. I love the idea that light can be harnessed to create technology that can change the way we live and communicate.

laser

Image: Adobe Stock

What have been your key challenges and achievements?

Navigating the uncharted territory of manipulating light at such a tiny scale has been challenging. However, it's also been a source of my greatest achievements, like being able to control the properties of individual photons. And of course, receiving the Young Tall Poppy Science Award, a recognition for research excellence and enthusiasm in science communication, is a huge honour.

You have been recognised as a NSW Young Tall Poppy for 2023. What does that mean to you?

Being named a NSW Young Tall Poppy is like receiving a thumbs up from the scientific community for my efforts so far. It's a recognition that I'm on the right track, and it's an incredible boost of encouragement. The award is also a reminder that I have a responsibility to share the beauty of science and light with the public, and inspire the next generation of light whisperers.

What comes next?

I'll continue to unravel the secrets of light and its amazing potential. There's still so much to learn and explore! Alongside my research, I'll keep on sharing the wonder of science with everyone – from high school students to adults. Who knows? We might even end up making the Internet greener and faster together!

Share
Share this on Facebook Share this on Twitter Share this on LinkedIn
Back to Health and science

Related News

  • Jen Matthews
    Coral biologist Jen Matthews wins 2023 Young Tall Poppy
  • Dr Peter Irga onsite at the Eastern Distributor in Sydney
    Dr Peter Irga awarded a 2022 Young Tall Poppy Science Award

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation and the Boorooberongal People of the Dharug Nation upon whose ancestral lands our campuses now stand. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands. 

University of Technology Sydney

City Campus

15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007

Get in touch with UTS

Follow us

  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Facebook

A member of

  • Australian Technology Network
Use arrow keys to navigate within each column of links. Press Tab to move between columns.

Study

  • Find a course
  • Undergraduate
  • Postgraduate
  • How to apply
  • Scholarships and prizes
  • International students
  • Campus maps
  • Accommodation

Engage

  • Find an expert
  • Industry
  • News
  • Events
  • Experience UTS
  • Research
  • Stories
  • Alumni

About

  • Who we are
  • Faculties
  • Learning and teaching
  • Sustainability
  • Initiatives
  • Equity, diversity and inclusion
  • Campus and locations
  • Awards and rankings
  • UTS governance

Staff and students

  • Current students
  • Help and support
  • Library
  • Policies
  • StaffConnect
  • Working at UTS
  • UTS Handbook
  • Contact us
  • Copyright © 2025
  • ABN: 77 257 686 961
  • CRICOS provider number: 00099F
  • TEQSA provider number: PRV12060
  • TEQSA category: Australian University
  • Privacy
  • Copyright
  • Disclaimer
  • Accessibility