Modelling quantum dynamics of electronic excited states in complex molecular materials. Understanding new materials that are the basis of new sources of renewable energy sources represents a major scientific challenge. Many of these materials are composed of large organic molecules containing hundreds of atoms. Their properties and the concepts needed to understand these materials are distinctly different from semiconductors such as silicon. This research will enhance our ability to design bett ....Modelling quantum dynamics of electronic excited states in complex molecular materials. Understanding new materials that are the basis of new sources of renewable energy sources represents a major scientific challenge. Many of these materials are composed of large organic molecules containing hundreds of atoms. Their properties and the concepts needed to understand these materials are distinctly different from semiconductors such as silicon. This research will enhance our ability to design better materials and optimize the performance of organic solar cells and LEDs. Australia's capacity for research and development in this scientifically challenging and technologically important field will be enhanced by this project. Read moreRead less
Interplay of superconductivity and magnetism in layered molecular crystals. The most interesting new electronic materials discovered in the past decade are built from layers of atoms or molecules. Many exhibit a subtle competition between magnetism and superconductivity.
This project will develop new theoretical concepts and models for the electronic properties of organic molecular crystals. The theoretical predictions will be tested experimentally at the USA National High Magnetic Field Labo ....Interplay of superconductivity and magnetism in layered molecular crystals. The most interesting new electronic materials discovered in the past decade are built from layers of atoms or molecules. Many exhibit a subtle competition between magnetism and superconductivity.
This project will develop new theoretical concepts and models for the electronic properties of organic molecular crystals. The theoretical predictions will be tested experimentally at the USA National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.
The outcome will be a better understanding of a wide range of materials (including high-temperature superconductors, giant magnetoresistance and plastic electronic materials) that could be the
basis of much of the electronic technology of the twenty-first century.Read moreRead less
Probing new physics with atomic parity violation. This project aims to provide a new level of rigour in tests of the standard model of particle physics at low energies, and to reveal or more tightly constrain new particles or forces. This will involve the development of state-of-the-art atomic theory techniques and collaboration with world-leading experimental groups. The expected outcomes and benefits include a breakthrough in the precision of atomic theory calculations, new insights into nucle ....Probing new physics with atomic parity violation. This project aims to provide a new level of rigour in tests of the standard model of particle physics at low energies, and to reveal or more tightly constrain new particles or forces. This will involve the development of state-of-the-art atomic theory techniques and collaboration with world-leading experimental groups. The expected outcomes and benefits include a breakthrough in the precision of atomic theory calculations, new insights into nuclear magnetic structure, improved determination of fundamental particle physics parameters, stronger ties with the international experimental community, enhancing Australian leadership and expertise, and high-level training of the next generation of scientists.Read moreRead less
Novel aspects and applications of quantum measurement theory. The first aim is to develop further a novel formalism for quantum measurement theory based on retrodiction (rather than prediction). The second is to apply this theory to non-Markovian systems (in which the measurement is smeared-out in time). The third is to combine quantum measurement theory with natural selection better to understand the appearance of the everyday world. The expected outcomes include a deeper understanding of quant ....Novel aspects and applications of quantum measurement theory. The first aim is to develop further a novel formalism for quantum measurement theory based on retrodiction (rather than prediction). The second is to apply this theory to non-Markovian systems (in which the measurement is smeared-out in time). The third is to combine quantum measurement theory with natural selection better to understand the appearance of the everyday world. The expected outcomes include a deeper understanding of quantum physics and the establishment of new techniques for analysing problems in quantum communication and quantum-limited technologies. These advances are significant both fundamentally and, at the dawn of the quantum information age, in practice.Read moreRead less
Entanglement Processing in N-Atom Systems. An essential part of modern technological society is an understanding the scientific explanation of the world around us, and a realization that these explanations must be critically tested in the light of technological advances. The study of multi-atom entanglement is closely related to questions of fundamental physics. A breakthrough in stimulating this problem could have applications in other areas of physics and in technology, such as information pro ....Entanglement Processing in N-Atom Systems. An essential part of modern technological society is an understanding the scientific explanation of the world around us, and a realization that these explanations must be critically tested in the light of technological advances. The study of multi-atom entanglement is closely related to questions of fundamental physics. A breakthrough in stimulating this problem could have applications in other areas of physics and in technology, such as information processing and cryptography.Read moreRead less
Interlayer magnetoresistance of strongly correlated electron materials. The continued rapid expansion of information and entertainment technology requires new materials and devices for information storage. State of the art computer and iPod memories utilise advanced materials composed of layers of atoms, recognised by the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physics. These materials have metallic properties quite unlike those of simple metals such as copper and brass. This research will lead to a greater underst ....Interlayer magnetoresistance of strongly correlated electron materials. The continued rapid expansion of information and entertainment technology requires new materials and devices for information storage. State of the art computer and iPod memories utilise advanced materials composed of layers of atoms, recognised by the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physics. These materials have metallic properties quite unlike those of simple metals such as copper and brass. This research will lead to a greater understanding of and ability to design the next generation of materials. Australia's capacity for research and development in this scientifically challenging and technologically important field will be enhanced by this project. Read moreRead less
The theory of interferometers in nano-scale electronics. Soon the electronic circuits in computer chips will be so small that new effects due to quantum phyiscs will become important.
The proposed research will provide a better understanding of a range of nano-scale electronic devices including electron interferometers based on quantum points contacts and quantum dots.
Sepcifically, a new understanding of quantum coherent phenomena
in nano-scale interferometers will offers a potential ap ....The theory of interferometers in nano-scale electronics. Soon the electronic circuits in computer chips will be so small that new effects due to quantum phyiscs will become important.
The proposed research will provide a better understanding of a range of nano-scale electronic devices including electron interferometers based on quantum points contacts and quantum dots.
Sepcifically, a new understanding of quantum coherent phenomena
in nano-scale interferometers will offers a potential application
to other quantum technologies important to the future
of computing.
Read moreRead less
Hydrogen Absorption by Nanostructured Carbons. Carbon-based materials show great promise for clean energy storage through the absorption and desorption of hydrogen. The project aims to use powerful theoretical and experimental methods to resolve the controversy that surrounds reports of massive hydrogen absorption by nanostructured carbons, by understanding why particular structures should or should not absorb hydrogen atoms or molecules. We will particularly study and model intercalated graphit ....Hydrogen Absorption by Nanostructured Carbons. Carbon-based materials show great promise for clean energy storage through the absorption and desorption of hydrogen. The project aims to use powerful theoretical and experimental methods to resolve the controversy that surrounds reports of massive hydrogen absorption by nanostructured carbons, by understanding why particular structures should or should not absorb hydrogen atoms or molecules. We will particularly study and model intercalated graphite and nanotubes made in Australia. Their hydrogen capacity will be compared to the US DOE target of 6.5 weight percent for viable automotive hydrogen fuel storage. Reproducibly exceeding this target would constitute a great advance in the field.Read moreRead less
Entanglement as resource for quantum technology. This project focuses on groundbreaking research in quantum information theory, an exciting new area of fundamental physics that underpins the development of quantum technologies. Australia has already invested heavily in one particular quantum technology: computation. Our project, if successful, will enable an Australian research effort into other quantum technologies for communication, metrology, data storage and security. This project will as ....Entanglement as resource for quantum technology. This project focuses on groundbreaking research in quantum information theory, an exciting new area of fundamental physics that underpins the development of quantum technologies. Australia has already invested heavily in one particular quantum technology: computation. Our project, if successful, will enable an Australian research effort into other quantum technologies for communication, metrology, data storage and security. This project will assist in elevating Australia to a major international research centre in quantum information theory, complementing its existing strength in experiment, and will provide extensive training of early career researchers.Read moreRead less
Quantum steering, nonlocality and foundations. This project aims at answering foundational questions that will help further our understanding of quantum mechanics---a scientific discipline with proven track record of technological output of great impact in modern society and a huge potential for future developments such as quantum computation and communication. There is a global trend towards interest in quantum foundations, and Australia is already a world leader in the closely related fields o ....Quantum steering, nonlocality and foundations. This project aims at answering foundational questions that will help further our understanding of quantum mechanics---a scientific discipline with proven track record of technological output of great impact in modern society and a huge potential for future developments such as quantum computation and communication. There is a global trend towards interest in quantum foundations, and Australia is already a world leader in the closely related fields of quantum information and quantum-atom optics. Funding of this project will help strengthen and consolidate Australia's position as a world leader in the foundations of quantum mechanics.Read moreRead less