Non-classical motion of a macroscopic mechanical resonator. This project will create the experimental tools to fully control the motion of a mechanical oscillator at the single-quanta level, opening a rich avenue for fundamental research and the development of quantum physics enhanced applications. This project will prepare a quantum state of a macroscopic mechanical resonator exhibiting quantum interference fringes at at an unprecedented mass scale. The observation of these fringes will enable ....Non-classical motion of a macroscopic mechanical resonator. This project will create the experimental tools to fully control the motion of a mechanical oscillator at the single-quanta level, opening a rich avenue for fundamental research and the development of quantum physics enhanced applications. This project will prepare a quantum state of a macroscopic mechanical resonator exhibiting quantum interference fringes at at an unprecedented mass scale. The observation of these fringes will enable the study of the intricacies of quantum decoherence and ultimately even probe quantum gravitational phenomena. To achieve these goals it will employ micro-scale optical resonators fabricated by established techniques, that also provide the ideal platform for scalable mechanical-oscillator-based quantum information applications.Read moreRead less
Ultraprecise sensing with microcavity optomechanics. New technologies will be developed to observe nanoscale motion with light confined on a silicon chip. Based on advances in integrated photonics and nanofabrication, these technologies will enable microscale magnetic field, mass, and gas sensing with precision surpassing today’s state-of-the-art. Important proof-of-principle applications will be realised, including ultrasensitive monitoring of greenhouse emissions, hydrogen absorption into fuel ....Ultraprecise sensing with microcavity optomechanics. New technologies will be developed to observe nanoscale motion with light confined on a silicon chip. Based on advances in integrated photonics and nanofabrication, these technologies will enable microscale magnetic field, mass, and gas sensing with precision surpassing today’s state-of-the-art. Important proof-of-principle applications will be realised, including ultrasensitive monitoring of greenhouse emissions, hydrogen absorption into fuel cell materials, space communication technologies, and magnetic resonance techniques for diagnosis of disease and airport security. The capacity to observe microscopic processes with record precision will further enable fundamental studies in areas such as condensed matter physics and photosynthesis.Read moreRead less
The Silicon Single Electron Pump: A New World Standard for Electric Current. This project seeks to develop a new ultra-high-precision current standard, providing a missing link in today’s world standards for electrical measurement. Although highly accurate metrological standards are available for both voltage and resistance, there is no equivalent current standard available. The project aims to create nanoelectronic charge-pump devices that can generate a highly accurate output current. This pro ....The Silicon Single Electron Pump: A New World Standard for Electric Current. This project seeks to develop a new ultra-high-precision current standard, providing a missing link in today’s world standards for electrical measurement. Although highly accurate metrological standards are available for both voltage and resistance, there is no equivalent current standard available. The project aims to create nanoelectronic charge-pump devices that can generate a highly accurate output current. This project plans to use silicon-based single-electron-transistor technology to undertake high-precision measurements. The project expects to contribute to the technological basis for a new world current standard.Read moreRead less
Electric field imaging of single charges and molecules via spins in diamond. This project aims to build, demonstrate and advance quantum microscopes in Australia. The microscopes are based on the quantum metrology capabilities of nitrogen-vacancy centre defect spins in diamond. The project will use the microscopes to produce nanoscale images of the electric fields of individual electric charges and molecules in ambient conditions. It will then extend the capabilities of the microscopes towards t ....Electric field imaging of single charges and molecules via spins in diamond. This project aims to build, demonstrate and advance quantum microscopes in Australia. The microscopes are based on the quantum metrology capabilities of nitrogen-vacancy centre defect spins in diamond. The project will use the microscopes to produce nanoscale images of the electric fields of individual electric charges and molecules in ambient conditions. It will then extend the capabilities of the microscopes towards the vibrational resonance imaging of single molecules. This project could improve the study of electronic processes in biology and nanotechnology and the structure and properties of complex molecules. It may also enable advances in interdisciplinary research and the development of high-performance materials, nanoelectronic devices and associated industry.Read moreRead less
Dual nanoparticles to distinguish between right and left biomolecules. This project aims to enhance the sensitivity of optical activity to ultralow molecular concentration samples. Optical activity is a commercially available technique used to distinguish chemically identical and morphologically different biomolecules (enantiomers). Unlike other scattering techniques, near-field enhancing of optical activity has not been achieved, thus limiting these measurements to high molecular concentrations ....Dual nanoparticles to distinguish between right and left biomolecules. This project aims to enhance the sensitivity of optical activity to ultralow molecular concentration samples. Optical activity is a commercially available technique used to distinguish chemically identical and morphologically different biomolecules (enantiomers). Unlike other scattering techniques, near-field enhancing of optical activity has not been achieved, thus limiting these measurements to high molecular concentrations. There is evidence indicating that optical activity can be enhanced using dual nanoparticles (ie small particles with the same response to electric and magnetic fields). This project aims to advance our understanding of these dual nanoparticles and experimentally implement their use to enhance optical activity.Read moreRead less
Atomic Resolution Sensors for Imaging and Metrological Science. This project aims to create new sensing technologies for detecting motion on the atomic scale with Megahertz (MHz) bandwidth. Advanced signal processing and communication theory will be applied with the aim of developing new classes of capacitive, inductive and optical position sensors. The resolution and bandwidth are predicted to be a one-hundred fold improvement over the current state-of-the-art. Applications are expected to incl ....Atomic Resolution Sensors for Imaging and Metrological Science. This project aims to create new sensing technologies for detecting motion on the atomic scale with Megahertz (MHz) bandwidth. Advanced signal processing and communication theory will be applied with the aim of developing new classes of capacitive, inductive and optical position sensors. The resolution and bandwidth are predicted to be a one-hundred fold improvement over the current state-of-the-art. Applications are expected to include biomedical imaging, high-speed nanofabrication, high-resolution computer numerical control (CNC) machining, high-speed gas and chemical sensors, and ultra-precise seismometers and gyroscopes.Read moreRead less
A Transportable Self-referenced Quantum Current Standard on a Silicon Chip. The field of metrological science strives for continuous improvement in precision and reproducibility, a goal only achievable by exploiting the fundamental constants of nature. In electrical metrology, both voltage (V) and resistance (R) standards have reached this milestone, but not current (I). We aim to develop novel self-referenced nanoelectronic charge-pump devices that can generate a highly accurate, error-detectab ....A Transportable Self-referenced Quantum Current Standard on a Silicon Chip. The field of metrological science strives for continuous improvement in precision and reproducibility, a goal only achievable by exploiting the fundamental constants of nature. In electrical metrology, both voltage (V) and resistance (R) standards have reached this milestone, but not current (I). We aim to develop novel self-referenced nanoelectronic charge-pump devices that can generate a highly accurate, error-detectable output current utilising Australian-developed silicon-based single-electron transistor technology. We will undertake high-precision measurements in collaboration with leading European standards institutes and researchers, establishing the technological basis for a new world current standard that is reproducible worldwide.Read moreRead less
Single electron pumping for current measurement standards. Precision measurement standards for electric current and voltage are necessary to ensure the safe and accurate operation of much of the electronic equipment that underpins modern society. This project will develop a new ultra-high-precision current standard, providing a missing link in today's world standards for electrical measurement.
Nanometrology of laser-trapped airborne particles. This project aims to develop a new concept of touch-free measuring of physical characteristics of nanoparticles using specially designed optical vortex beams. The new concept will be of direct importance in developing new nanotechnologies demanding ever-increasing purity of every element in the industrial environment and production processes.
Mechanical control of defect spins in diamond and its applications in quantum technology. This project will demonstrate the mechanical control of optically addressable defect spins in diamond in order to rapidly exploit innovative approaches to quantum technologies, including high sensitivity metrology and information processing. This will be achieved by capitalising on the proven quantum applications of the nitrogen-vacancy defect centre in diamond and the performance of both fundamental inquir ....Mechanical control of defect spins in diamond and its applications in quantum technology. This project will demonstrate the mechanical control of optically addressable defect spins in diamond in order to rapidly exploit innovative approaches to quantum technologies, including high sensitivity metrology and information processing. This will be achieved by capitalising on the proven quantum applications of the nitrogen-vacancy defect centre in diamond and the performance of both fundamental inquiry into the effects of mechanical stress on this centre and the design, fabrication and operation of simple nano-mechanical devices. Read moreRead less