A semiclassical approach to spectral theory. Spectral theory is the branch of mathematics dealing with natural frequencies (eigenvalues) and modes of vibration (eigenfunctions) of systems arising in geometry, quantum physics and engineering. As such, they have important applications in seismic and medical imaging, nanotechnology, and optical communications. This project aims to use recently developed mathematical tools to advance our understanding of high energy eigenvalues and eigenfunctions, a ....A semiclassical approach to spectral theory. Spectral theory is the branch of mathematics dealing with natural frequencies (eigenvalues) and modes of vibration (eigenfunctions) of systems arising in geometry, quantum physics and engineering. As such, they have important applications in seismic and medical imaging, nanotechnology, and optical communications. This project aims to use recently developed mathematical tools to advance our understanding of high energy eigenvalues and eigenfunctions, as well as new algorithms for numerically computing them.Read moreRead less
Anisotropy and flow in fast-particle dominated and burning tokamak plasmas: stability of ITER and the coming demonstration fusion power plant. This project will identify how beam injected and fusion born alphas affect the magnetic ?eld and excite wave modes in spherical tokamaks, where these particles have the most impact. Understanding these effects is critical to long pulse operation of high performance tokamaks with burning plasmas. In the UK spherical tokamak MAST for instance, fast ion driv ....Anisotropy and flow in fast-particle dominated and burning tokamak plasmas: stability of ITER and the coming demonstration fusion power plant. This project will identify how beam injected and fusion born alphas affect the magnetic ?eld and excite wave modes in spherical tokamaks, where these particles have the most impact. Understanding these effects is critical to long pulse operation of high performance tokamaks with burning plasmas. In the UK spherical tokamak MAST for instance, fast ion driven bursty “chirping modes” and “?shbone” modes evolve into "long-lived" modes damaging plasma performance. This project will resolve the physics of the seed fast ion driven mode, its linear threshold and fully nonlinear evolution. Wider outcomes include scoping the impact of beams and alphas in next step burning plasma experiments, such as a nuclear facility for materials development, ITER, and a fusion power plant.Read moreRead less
Emergence and control of self-organisation in fusion plasmas: through the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) and beyond. Fusion is a carbon free technology, which promises millions of years of base-load power. The promise has led to massive support for the proof-of-principle experiment, ITER. A challenge facing ITER is minimising edge instabilities, which can destroy the plasma facing wall. The project will explore if a new model can describe and control these instabilities.
Robust numerical solution of partial differential equations on petascale computer systems with applications to tsunami modelling and plasma physics. The project will apply new mathematical ideas to exploit the unprecedented computational resources provided by the next generation of high performance computers. The resulting techniques and software will form a key component for the science needed to understand the workings of complex dynamical systems, such as tsunamis and fusion reactors.
Accurate and fast quantum simulation to predict chemistry. Quantum mechanical simulation is the most accurate tool available for predicting and understanding chemical reactions. Traditional techniques for performing quantum mechanical simulations of molecular collisions and reactions cannot be applied to more than five or six atoms, meaning that it is not possible to study most chemical reactions in full detail. In this project a new technique for performing these accurate simulations, recently ....Accurate and fast quantum simulation to predict chemistry. Quantum mechanical simulation is the most accurate tool available for predicting and understanding chemical reactions. Traditional techniques for performing quantum mechanical simulations of molecular collisions and reactions cannot be applied to more than five or six atoms, meaning that it is not possible to study most chemical reactions in full detail. In this project a new technique for performing these accurate simulations, recently invented at the Australian National University and allowing the study of much larger systems, will be developed and applied to important outstanding problems in chemical dynamics, ranging from roaming in formaldehyde to atom migration in proteins.Read moreRead less