Optical supercontinuum generation from high pulse-energy optical sources. The aim of this project is to develop a broadband and high brightness optical fibre source based on optical supercontinuum generation (i.e. low-coherence optical signals with octave or more bandwidth). Unlike similar sources demonstrated recently which rely on expensive bulk femtosecond pump lasers, this source will be pumped by a large pulse-energy optical fibre laser and use stimulated Raman scattering to seed the contin ....Optical supercontinuum generation from high pulse-energy optical sources. The aim of this project is to develop a broadband and high brightness optical fibre source based on optical supercontinuum generation (i.e. low-coherence optical signals with octave or more bandwidth). Unlike similar sources demonstrated recently which rely on expensive bulk femtosecond pump lasers, this source will be pumped by a large pulse-energy optical fibre laser and use stimulated Raman scattering to seed the continuum generation. The primary outcome will be a compact low-cost all-fibre supercontinuum source with a wide range of applications in areas such as optical metrology, optical coherence tomography, and high resolution non-contact position and motion sensing.Read moreRead less
Characterisation, development and application of novel Ion Beam technology (IBT) to enhance the optical thin film manufacturing process. Manufacture of optical thin film coatings is a difficult and generally inefficient process undertaken within a vacuum chamber. There are many variables which are not easily controlled nor understood in these complex thermodynamic environments. This project aims to advance core knowledge in three critical areas namely an improved understanding of ion beam phy ....Characterisation, development and application of novel Ion Beam technology (IBT) to enhance the optical thin film manufacturing process. Manufacture of optical thin film coatings is a difficult and generally inefficient process undertaken within a vacuum chamber. There are many variables which are not easily controlled nor understood in these complex thermodynamic environments. This project aims to advance core knowledge in three critical areas namely an improved understanding of ion beam physics, new knowledge of the thermodynamic environment used in physical vapour deposition of thin films and new knowedge in the application of Ion beam Technology to optical thin film growth and characteristics.
This project is significant, developing core knowledge and understanding with potential to lead to process efficiency gains, improved optical film characteristics and accessing new areas of research (rf/photoic devices). This project will advance the current state of art in the field of Ion Beam Technology and Ion Beam assisted physical vapour deposition.
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Instrumentation for High Voltage Power Distribution Using Optical Fibre Sensors. This project aims to realise a novel optical fibre voltage sensor, exploit a recent discovery of Bassett and Haywood in interferometry to improve an existing optical current sensor, and bring the voltage and current sensor together in a combined field trial on a high voltage distribution network.
The voltage sensor concept is unique and provides significant advantages.
The expected outcomes of this project are an ....Instrumentation for High Voltage Power Distribution Using Optical Fibre Sensors. This project aims to realise a novel optical fibre voltage sensor, exploit a recent discovery of Bassett and Haywood in interferometry to improve an existing optical current sensor, and bring the voltage and current sensor together in a combined field trial on a high voltage distribution network.
The voltage sensor concept is unique and provides significant advantages.
The expected outcomes of this project are an electro-optically active silica fibre suitable for voltage sensing, a prototype voltage sensor and signal processing system, and a prototype combined electrical power (voltage and current) measurement unit deployed in a field trial.
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Application of ultra-high stability cryogenic sapphire oscillators to Very Long Baseline Interferometry. This project will develop a state-of-the-art commercial prototype of the cryogenic sapphire oscillator (CSO) optimised for use at remote sites. Proof of operation will be applied to the important niche market of Very-Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) radio astronomy, with improvements in image quality. The research will also significantly benefit the Australian bid for the SKA project, as ....Application of ultra-high stability cryogenic sapphire oscillators to Very Long Baseline Interferometry. This project will develop a state-of-the-art commercial prototype of the cryogenic sapphire oscillator (CSO) optimised for use at remote sites. Proof of operation will be applied to the important niche market of Very-Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) radio astronomy, with improvements in image quality. The research will also significantly benefit the Australian bid for the SKA project, as the CSO is the only technology capable of synchronising the outputs of the telescopes arrays to the required signal to noise to attain the required image quality. The project will further Australia's status in radio astronomy as a world leader and add to our exports of precision scientific instruments.Read moreRead less
The effect of turbulence scale and intensity on water flow measurement using ultrasonic techniques. Management of water resources and water distribution networks is important as Australia and the world face increasing water shortages. A significant aspect of water management is prevention of supply losses in urban and non-urban water distribution networks - a vital factor in improving water security of Australian cities and agricultural production regions. This research will develop ultrasonic f ....The effect of turbulence scale and intensity on water flow measurement using ultrasonic techniques. Management of water resources and water distribution networks is important as Australia and the world face increasing water shortages. A significant aspect of water management is prevention of supply losses in urban and non-urban water distribution networks - a vital factor in improving water security of Australian cities and agricultural production regions. This research will develop ultrasonic flow-velocity technology, which can be retrofitted to existing water distribution networks, providing distributed high precision water flow measurement systems that can prevent the loss each year of more than 155GL of water through leaks and burst in Australia's capital cities alone.Read moreRead less
Advanced Electromagnetic Sensors and Magnetic Gradiometers for Natural Resources Exploration and Future Space Missions. Australia will benefit from the long-standing world-class mining exploration industry. The new magnetic gradiometer system would greatly enhance their arsenal of geophysical exploration tools, especially for the detection of both magnetically and/or conductive minerals like nickel sulphide. Due to the inherent skin depth issues of conductive cover, a unique condition in Austral ....Advanced Electromagnetic Sensors and Magnetic Gradiometers for Natural Resources Exploration and Future Space Missions. Australia will benefit from the long-standing world-class mining exploration industry. The new magnetic gradiometer system would greatly enhance their arsenal of geophysical exploration tools, especially for the detection of both magnetically and/or conductive minerals like nickel sulphide. Due to the inherent skin depth issues of conductive cover, a unique condition in Australia, a low frequency electromagnetic survey system is one of the best methods to penetrate the cover and investigate deeper geological structures. The low frequency isolation system developed in this project will improve the survey instrument performance down to 4Hz, providing capability to explore resources about 50-100% deeper than existing instrumentation allows.Read moreRead less
Application of Femtosecond Light Sources to Generation of Low Noise Microwave Signals. The main goal of the research project is to develop prototypes of photonic oscillators capable of generating spectrally pure signals both at optical and microwave frequencies. The project is also aimed at understanding noise mechanisms affecting frequency stability of classical microwave oscillators based on sapphire loaded cavity resonators. By cryogenically cooling such resonators we plan to create a new fam ....Application of Femtosecond Light Sources to Generation of Low Noise Microwave Signals. The main goal of the research project is to develop prototypes of photonic oscillators capable of generating spectrally pure signals both at optical and microwave frequencies. The project is also aimed at understanding noise mechanisms affecting frequency stability of classical microwave oscillators based on sapphire loaded cavity resonators. By cryogenically cooling such resonators we plan to create a new family of extremely low noise and economically viable microwave signal sources. The research proposed will enrich the field of oscillator frequency control, give rise to new techniques for precision noise measurements and reinforce Australia's position at the forefront of microwave and photonic science.Read moreRead less
Power scaling of remote plasma sources for gallium nitride film growth with real-time monitoring of activated nitrogen species. Domestic, industrial and community lighting currently accounts for ~20% of the world's overall energy consumption. Commonly used incandescent lights are based on inefficient, century-old technologies. In contrast, light emitting diodes (LEDs) use ~80% less energy and last ~100 times longer. LED deployment will bring substantial economic and environmental benefits for Au ....Power scaling of remote plasma sources for gallium nitride film growth with real-time monitoring of activated nitrogen species. Domestic, industrial and community lighting currently accounts for ~20% of the world's overall energy consumption. Commonly used incandescent lights are based on inefficient, century-old technologies. In contrast, light emitting diodes (LEDs) use ~80% less energy and last ~100 times longer. LED deployment will bring substantial economic and environmental benefits for Australia and globally. Next generation high-efficiency LEDs for lighting, will operate with reduced energy consumption, thus contributing to reaching future national targets for CO2 emission reduction. This project will achieve reduced production cost of a key LED material, and will support Australia's leadership in a growing global semiconductor manufacturing industry.Read moreRead less
Development of an Intelligent Perception System for Electric Brakes. Electric braking is a vital component of the drive by-wire systems whose development is currently being supported worldwide by many automobile manufacturers. The aim of this project is to contribute to the development of an efficient fully functional electrically operated braking system. The main focus is on development of the intelligent perceptual sensors required for optimum performance of a by-wire braking system (to be com ....Development of an Intelligent Perception System for Electric Brakes. Electric braking is a vital component of the drive by-wire systems whose development is currently being supported worldwide by many automobile manufacturers. The aim of this project is to contribute to the development of an efficient fully functional electrically operated braking system. The main focus is on development of the intelligent perceptual sensors required for optimum performance of a by-wire braking system (to be commercialised by 2007). This project will also facilitate the development of professional courses for by-wire technology. Such courses will play a crucial role in maintaining the competitiveness of the Australian car component industry as by-wire technology emerges.Read moreRead less
Disposable microfluidic diagnostics for new generation foods, beverages and oral care products. The outcomes of this project will lead to the establishment of a new paradigm in designing foods, beverages and oral care products that have tailored health and vitality benefits (e.g. reduced levels of fat, sugar and salt). In addition, these foods will contain beneficial additives (e.g. anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients) targeted to specific consumer groups according to their lifesty ....Disposable microfluidic diagnostics for new generation foods, beverages and oral care products. The outcomes of this project will lead to the establishment of a new paradigm in designing foods, beverages and oral care products that have tailored health and vitality benefits (e.g. reduced levels of fat, sugar and salt). In addition, these foods will contain beneficial additives (e.g. anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients) targeted to specific consumer groups according to their lifestyle, age, medical condition or requirement for nutritional/nourishment efficacy, thereby contributing to healthy ageing. It is foreseen that this novel approach to designing foods will be extended to products intended for consumers whose sensory perception is compromised by existing medical therapeutic practices (such as radiation therapy).Read moreRead less