Quantum magnetometry on the microscale. This proposal will create a microscope for magnetic fields by measuring the quantum spin of a Bose-Einstein condensate at temperatures near absolute zero. Classical measurements of spin have underpinned transforming technologies, from magnetic resonance imaging to terabyte-scale hard-disc storage. We will make a truly quantum measurement of spin which will create a magnetic field microscope one million times more sensitive than the current state-of-the-art ....Quantum magnetometry on the microscale. This proposal will create a microscope for magnetic fields by measuring the quantum spin of a Bose-Einstein condensate at temperatures near absolute zero. Classical measurements of spin have underpinned transforming technologies, from magnetic resonance imaging to terabyte-scale hard-disc storage. We will make a truly quantum measurement of spin which will create a magnetic field microscope one million times more sensitive than the current state-of-the-art. The magnetic field microscope will be sensitive enough to measure fields from single biological cells and from superconducting nanosurfaces, giving critical new perspectives in biomedical research and next-generation electronics.Read moreRead less
The first critical tests of many-body and correlated Quantum Electro-Dynamics (QED) in medium-Z atomic systems. Major difficulties are being encountered in the computation of high-order and correlated terms of Quantum Electro-Dynamical effects in atoms. We will make the first measurements for medium-Z atoms critically sensitive to two-electron QED, and the first tests of QED in this region accurate to 1%. This accuracy will allow new insight into two-electron systems, theoretical approaches, and ....The first critical tests of many-body and correlated Quantum Electro-Dynamics (QED) in medium-Z atomic systems. Major difficulties are being encountered in the computation of high-order and correlated terms of Quantum Electro-Dynamical effects in atoms. We will make the first measurements for medium-Z atoms critically sensitive to two-electron QED, and the first tests of QED in this region accurate to 1%. This accuracy will allow new insight into two-electron systems, theoretical approaches, and recent observed discrepancies between QED theory and experiment. This proposal follows recent successful experimental work using new capabilities of Electron-Beam Ion Traps (EBITs). Our recent publications have proven that this novel approach can yield new insight into the interaction of light with matter.Read moreRead less
A New Window on Photosynthesis: Ultrafast Coherence Dynamics in Biomolecules and Semiconductor Nanostructures. Recent research has indicated that the remarkable efficiency of energy capture and transfer in photosynthesis may be due to the effects of quantum coherence, which is an intrinsically non-classical phenomenon. We will investigate these effects in biological and nanofabricated systems using ultrafast laser spectroscopy . An understanding of these energy transfer processes may open the d ....A New Window on Photosynthesis: Ultrafast Coherence Dynamics in Biomolecules and Semiconductor Nanostructures. Recent research has indicated that the remarkable efficiency of energy capture and transfer in photosynthesis may be due to the effects of quantum coherence, which is an intrinsically non-classical phenomenon. We will investigate these effects in biological and nanofabricated systems using ultrafast laser spectroscopy . An understanding of these energy transfer processes may open the door to the development to a range of new technologies, including clean and virtually limitless energy sources that convert solar energy directly into useful power and quantum computers that will revolutionize our ability to process information.Read moreRead less
Integrated Atom Optics: Guiding Matter Waves with Magnetic Microstructures. The development of micron-scale waveguides that coherently transport, split and recombine atom de Broglie waves is important for atom optics and interferometry. Atom interferometers will be used for fundamental tests of quantum physics and as inertial sensors for the detection of gravitational anomalies. The expected outcomes include microfabrication of integrated atom devices that produce coherent matter waves via Bose- ....Integrated Atom Optics: Guiding Matter Waves with Magnetic Microstructures. The development of micron-scale waveguides that coherently transport, split and recombine atom de Broglie waves is important for atom optics and interferometry. Atom interferometers will be used for fundamental tests of quantum physics and as inertial sensors for the detection of gravitational anomalies. The expected outcomes include microfabrication of integrated atom devices that produce coherent matter waves via Bose-Einstein condensation and utilise them in a new generation of atom interferometers.Read moreRead less
Solid Light: Frontiers and applications of solid-state Cavity Quantum Electro-Dynamics. Our understanding of quantum mechanics directly fuels new technology. We are on the verge of a new revolution in technology, where the aspects of quantum physics that we haven't been able to understand are now within technological reach. Our concept of solid-light joins two of the most important branches of physics, and in so doing develops a new technology of diamond-based quantum processors that will be b ....Solid Light: Frontiers and applications of solid-state Cavity Quantum Electro-Dynamics. Our understanding of quantum mechanics directly fuels new technology. We are on the verge of a new revolution in technology, where the aspects of quantum physics that we haven't been able to understand are now within technological reach. Our concept of solid-light joins two of the most important branches of physics, and in so doing develops a new technology of diamond-based quantum processors that will be built in Australia. This will benefit the Australian scientific community by providing devices to solve important quantum problems, and benefit the wider community by growing a new industry based around diamond quantum nanoscience.Read moreRead less
The Role of Thermodynamics and Kinetics in Self-Assembly of Metallic Nanocrystals. Global interest in metallic nano-crystals has recently increased dramatically as the realized applications of these structures begin to span the fields of nanotechnology and nano-biotechnology. In all these applications, control of the size and morphology of the nano-particles is critically important, as these characteristics determine their electronic, optical and catalytic properties. This requires an understa ....The Role of Thermodynamics and Kinetics in Self-Assembly of Metallic Nanocrystals. Global interest in metallic nano-crystals has recently increased dramatically as the realized applications of these structures begin to span the fields of nanotechnology and nano-biotechnology. In all these applications, control of the size and morphology of the nano-particles is critically important, as these characteristics determine their electronic, optical and catalytic properties. This requires an understanding of the underlying thermodynamic and kinetic driving forces, which govern nano-particle nucleation, growth and stability. This project will investigate the role of surface thermodynamics and growth kinetics in the nucleation, growth and stability of metallic nano-crystals in order to understand how to control their synthesis.Read moreRead less
Critical Tests of Quantum Electro-Dynamics (QED) in heavy atomic systems. The 2005 Nobel prize was awarded for high-precision spectroscopy and a critical test of QED in light atomic systems. This led to dramatic applications to constants of nature and Quantum Optics. Our research has also developed state-of-the-art detector and spectrometer technology in pursuit of fundamental knowledge, but in the X-ray regime. We will make major progress for heavy atomic systems. Applications include the deve ....Critical Tests of Quantum Electro-Dynamics (QED) in heavy atomic systems. The 2005 Nobel prize was awarded for high-precision spectroscopy and a critical test of QED in light atomic systems. This led to dramatic applications to constants of nature and Quantum Optics. Our research has also developed state-of-the-art detector and spectrometer technology in pursuit of fundamental knowledge, but in the X-ray regime. We will make major progress for heavy atomic systems. Applications include the development of a few-electron calibration lamp, widely discussed as a new energy standard. These studies provide data, physical insights and highly skilled personnel for Australia's future in frontier technologies. Our fundamental research has led to two orders of magnitude improvement in mammographic diagnostic accuracy.Read moreRead less
Development of a neutral helium beam microscope. This project would demonstrate Australia's capability in developing leading edge technologies applicable to the growing nanotechnology industry. The development of a neutral helium beam microscope brings into Australia expertise in the emerging field of molecular optics, and would place Australia as one of the first countries to make a commitment to this field. The project will develop a prototype instrument which is aimed at becoming a commercial ....Development of a neutral helium beam microscope. This project would demonstrate Australia's capability in developing leading edge technologies applicable to the growing nanotechnology industry. The development of a neutral helium beam microscope brings into Australia expertise in the emerging field of molecular optics, and would place Australia as one of the first countries to make a commitment to this field. The project will develop a prototype instrument which is aimed at becoming a commercially viable product - the neutral helium beam microscope. The possibilities of using the microscope system as a nanofabrication device would also give researchers in Australia the ability to fabricate structures that could not be manufactured anywhere else in the world.Read moreRead less
Dynamics of Interacting Bose Gases/Fluids in Atomic and Condensed Matter Systems. This research would raise the profile of Australian theoretical physics in two key areas of fundamental research. The work on correlated electron fluids will be directly related to the breakdown of the quantum Hall effect, which is used to maintain the resistance standard, with one possible outcome being the improvement of the accuracy of this standard. The work on the dynamics of dilute gas Bose-Einstein condensat ....Dynamics of Interacting Bose Gases/Fluids in Atomic and Condensed Matter Systems. This research would raise the profile of Australian theoretical physics in two key areas of fundamental research. The work on correlated electron fluids will be directly related to the breakdown of the quantum Hall effect, which is used to maintain the resistance standard, with one possible outcome being the improvement of the accuracy of this standard. The work on the dynamics of dilute gas Bose-Einstein condensates will promote understanding of such systems and propose knew methods of exploring this novel state of matter. Drawing analogies between these two diverse subjects will promote a greater understanding of both research fields. The work would be in collaboration with internationally renowned research groups.Read moreRead less
New Multidimensional Femtosecond Spectroscopic Techniques for Complex Molecular Systems. We will develop novel multidimensional nonlinear spectroscopic techniques based on sequences of femtosecond laser pulses to investigate ultrafast processes and transient species in complex molecular systems. The molecular systems will include biologically important protein molecules, complex synthetic polymers, new semiconductor materials and semiconductor quantum structures including quantum dots. This in ....New Multidimensional Femtosecond Spectroscopic Techniques for Complex Molecular Systems. We will develop novel multidimensional nonlinear spectroscopic techniques based on sequences of femtosecond laser pulses to investigate ultrafast processes and transient species in complex molecular systems. The molecular systems will include biologically important protein molecules, complex synthetic polymers, new semiconductor materials and semiconductor quantum structures including quantum dots. This information will significantly advance our understanding of fundamental dynamical processes such as energy and charge transfer in macro- and supra-molecules, transport of oxygen in animals, photosynthesis, advanced photo-active devices, and ultrafast processes in new semiconductor materials and semiconductor quantum structures.Read moreRead less