Dr. Peter Murray's Homepage |
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Hello and welcome to the homepage of Dr. Peter Murray! This website contains a mixture of work and non-work related things, bundled together in one useful (for me) collection of webpages. I am largely involved in materials research for advanced and third generation interferometric gravitational wave detectors and my PhD thesis was submitted in May 2008: Measurement of the Mechanical Loss of Test Mass Materials for Advanced Gravitational Wave Detectors Peter G. Murray M.Sci (Hons) PhD Thesis University of Glasgow May 2008 Please contact me for access to a copy  Me and (cardboard) Albert Einstein at the GEO 600 detector in Germany  The natural philosopher, philosophising in Berlin. Naturally! I am currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate for the Institute for Gravitational Wave Research at the University of Glasgow. I work on material characterisation towards the next generation of ground based interferometric gravitational wave detectors. My areas of research include finite element analysis and the measurement of mechanical losses of test masses, mirror coatings and silicate bonds for advanced gravitational wave detectors. I also assist with the preparation of bonded samples for Scanning Electron Microscope, Tunnelling Electron Microscope and Atomic Force Microscope measurements. I also work on cryogenic measurements of materials for the third generation of gravitational wave detectors. As well as research duties I demonstrate in undergraduate physics laboratories, help at the Royal Society of Edinburgh Physics Master classes and give lectures at the Pre-University Physics Summer School run by the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
Now that I have completed my PhD thesis I have more time to participate in activities I enjoy. I enjoy heading down the Forestry Commission 7 Stanes Mountain Biking trails and throw my trusty Stumpjumper and myself around their courses and getting myself completely caked in mud from head to toe. In the winter if it snows I like to head up to either Glencoe, Nevis or Glenshee Mountain Resorts for skiing or snowboarding. Glasgow has an indoor snow slope so can occasionally be seen playing about on the rails and jumps there. Scotland has some spectacular scenery, so in the summer I like to head out and get some fresh air and climb some of the 284 Munros (mountains over 3000 feet) and am currently over half way through completing them. I have recently joined the Glasgow University Canoe Club, and although I am currently pretty rubbish in a canoe I still enjoy going on trips with them and getting fished out the river at the end (beginning, middle and several times in between) of the day. Getting fit is my main objective of 2009, so most evenings I can be found after work in the gym doing cardio and weights, in the sports hall for super circuits or 5-a-side football or splashing about pretending to swim in the pool. Dr. Peter Murray |
