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
New quantitative methods in X-ray imaging using crystal optics. This project will enhance Australian science's international leadership in the area of x-ray imaging. This powerful type of X-ray imaging, which makes use of optical elements made of perfect crystals, is specially tailored to image samples which are invisible to conventional x-ray techniques. Such "extended x-ray vision" is extremely important for imaging in medicine, biology and materials science. Furthermore, we will train x-ray s ....New quantitative methods in X-ray imaging using crystal optics. This project will enhance Australian science's international leadership in the area of x-ray imaging. This powerful type of X-ray imaging, which makes use of optical elements made of perfect crystals, is specially tailored to image samples which are invisible to conventional x-ray techniques. Such "extended x-ray vision" is extremely important for imaging in medicine, biology and materials science. Furthermore, we will train x-ray scientists of tomorrow, whose expertise will allow Australia to capitalize on its investment in the Australian Synchrotron.Read moreRead less
Scaling-up microstructured fibres for terahertz radiation. Terahertz radiation is the last region of the electromagnetic spectrum to be fully utilised. Many applications have been identified but their practicality has been limited by a lack of low-loss flexible waveguides. The waveguides to be developed in this project will build on Australia's existing international lead and investments in photonics as well as extend the dynamic field of microstructured optical fibres, indentified as the 'futur ....Scaling-up microstructured fibres for terahertz radiation. Terahertz radiation is the last region of the electromagnetic spectrum to be fully utilised. Many applications have been identified but their practicality has been limited by a lack of low-loss flexible waveguides. The waveguides to be developed in this project will build on Australia's existing international lead and investments in photonics as well as extend the dynamic field of microstructured optical fibres, indentified as the 'future' of optical fibres. Low-loss flexible waveguides will enable imaging and spectroscopy applications that can reveal and object's internal structure and composition. This will have immediate applications in security, quality control, medical imaging and other safety or industrial applications.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0454184
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$155,792.00
Summary
Silicon Imaging Device Construction Facility - Wirebonder. The development of state-of-the-art, high precision semiconductor imaging devices (for high energy particle physics, synchrotron science and medical imaging ) requires a significant capability in modern assembly facilities. In constructing test and 'production' modules consisting of fine-grained, multi-channel bare silicon or other semiconductor imaging devices and custom electronic chips, a high-reliability, highly flexible wire-bonding ....Silicon Imaging Device Construction Facility - Wirebonder. The development of state-of-the-art, high precision semiconductor imaging devices (for high energy particle physics, synchrotron science and medical imaging ) requires a significant capability in modern assembly facilities. In constructing test and 'production' modules consisting of fine-grained, multi-channel bare silicon or other semiconductor imaging devices and custom electronic chips, a high-reliability, highly flexible wire-bonding machine is an essential tool. The international reputation from success in several challenging projects under difficult conditions, gained by the Chief Investigators has resulted in several more projects being planned in addition to a foreseen program of device development. A modern wirebonder, to replace the existing 30 year-old machine, has become critical to maintain our leading position in this area.Read moreRead less
Development of a light detection system for enhanced scanning electron microscopy imaging of fully hydrated biological specimens at room temperature. This project aims to develop instrumentation and techniques to image fully hydrated cellS for prolonged periods at room temperature in an environmental scanning electron microscope. Multiple fluorescent nano-particle labels will be used to image complex cellular structure and dynamics at ultra high spatial resolution. This innovative bio-imaging te ....Development of a light detection system for enhanced scanning electron microscopy imaging of fully hydrated biological specimens at room temperature. This project aims to develop instrumentation and techniques to image fully hydrated cellS for prolonged periods at room temperature in an environmental scanning electron microscope. Multiple fluorescent nano-particle labels will be used to image complex cellular structure and dynamics at ultra high spatial resolution. This innovative bio-imaging technique will be facilitated by the construction of a high speed light collection system that can efficiently operate at the pressures required to stablise water within the cell. Applications for this new bio-imaging technique will also be explored.Read moreRead less
Super-resolution in microscopy and optical recording. The classical resolution limit imposes severe restrictions on the performance of optical instruments, especially in optical microscopy and optical recording. Improved understanding of the fundamental principles involved in super-resolution should allow substantial increases in resolution to be achieved. We aim to explore theoretically and experimentally the performance of different super-resolution schemes alone and in combination, including ....Super-resolution in microscopy and optical recording. The classical resolution limit imposes severe restrictions on the performance of optical instruments, especially in optical microscopy and optical recording. Improved understanding of the fundamental principles involved in super-resolution should allow substantial increases in resolution to be achieved. We aim to explore theoretically and experimentally the performance of different super-resolution schemes alone and in combination, including optical masks, near-field optics, detector arrays, multi-photon imaging and digital deconvolution. Selected methods will be demonstrated with practical examples in multi-photon microscopy. Applications in super-high density optical recording will also be studied.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0347462
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
Femtosecond laser micromachining facility. The proposed establishment of a femtosecond laser micromachining facility, with microdiagnostic capabilities, will facilitate a range of projects involving fabrication of submicron structures in metals, polymers, glasses, ceramics and crystalline materials. This facility, unique in Australia , will be comparable to the best such facilities in the world, enabling researchers to apply new microfabrication techniques to a range of photonic and optoelectro ....Femtosecond laser micromachining facility. The proposed establishment of a femtosecond laser micromachining facility, with microdiagnostic capabilities, will facilitate a range of projects involving fabrication of submicron structures in metals, polymers, glasses, ceramics and crystalline materials. This facility, unique in Australia , will be comparable to the best such facilities in the world, enabling researchers to apply new microfabrication techniques to a range of photonic and optoelectronic devices, including laser-written optical planar waveguides, nonlinear components and photonic bandgap structures , and various biomedical microstructures. Outcomes will include demonstration and development of novel photonic/optoelectronic devices and of new techniques, crucial to cost-effective manufacture of photonic components.Read moreRead less
Narrowband coherent light sources for spectroscopic sensing. The project will develop optical instruments and sensing techniques based on novel high-performance tunable optical parametric oscillator devices. These laser-like devices will be designed to monitor gases in a highly sensitive, molecule-specific way and thus indicate the presence and concentration of particular species with characteristic spectroscopic signatures. Useful applications will include optical sensing in science, industry ....Narrowband coherent light sources for spectroscopic sensing. The project will develop optical instruments and sensing techniques based on novel high-performance tunable optical parametric oscillator devices. These laser-like devices will be designed to monitor gases in a highly sensitive, molecule-specific way and thus indicate the presence and concentration of particular species with characteristic spectroscopic signatures. Useful applications will include optical sensing in science, industry, medicine, agriculture, community security, and the environment. In addition to making significant scientific discoveries and technological advances, the project will provide training for postgraduate research students and will develop intellectual property that may be of commercial benefit.Read moreRead less
Ringed photonic crystal fibres for broadband nonlinear optics. The technology developed from this project will enable organic molecules to be detected, identified and quantified. Because the technology is compact, easily engineered and low cost, it will lead to a dramatically increased capability for infrared spectroscopic measurement throughout biology and medicine, with specific benefits in agriculture, the food industry and defence.
Radiation protection for space, aviation, and terrestrial applications: the development of novel radiation detectors and computational techniques. Personnel in space, aviation, and terrestrial applications may be exposed to potentially harmful levels of densely ionising radiation. This project will produce improved radiation detectors and computational techniques, addressing needs in the prediction and assessment of equivalent dose in these applications. The "preventative healthcare" priority go ....Radiation protection for space, aviation, and terrestrial applications: the development of novel radiation detectors and computational techniques. Personnel in space, aviation, and terrestrial applications may be exposed to potentially harmful levels of densely ionising radiation. This project will produce improved radiation detectors and computational techniques, addressing needs in the prediction and assessment of equivalent dose in these applications. The "preventative healthcare" priority goal of the National Research Priority "Promoting and Maintaining Good Health" will be addressed, serving to reduce the risk to personnel involved in such activities. This research will also enhance Australia's international reputation in this field, stimulate local expertise, and create a critical mass of researchers in this field. Read moreRead less