Building Schrodinger's cat: large-scale entanglement of trapped ions. Where does the microscopic quantum world leave off and the normal world begin? The project will expand the boundaries of the quantum realm by building the largest quantum objects ever assembled and put them to work in computing and cryptography. These quantum devices will help Australia lead the race for future information technologies.
Resonator-enhanced quantum levitation of macroscopic systems. This project aims to develop advanced technologies to optically levitate macroscopic (millimetre-sized) objects and nanoscopic (atomically thin) materials. Levitation platforms built by the investigatory team are based on the resonantly amplified radiation pressure of laser beams. This new type of optical levitation can provide ultimate isolation of the systems from external noise, making them extremely responsive to subtle environmen ....Resonator-enhanced quantum levitation of macroscopic systems. This project aims to develop advanced technologies to optically levitate macroscopic (millimetre-sized) objects and nanoscopic (atomically thin) materials. Levitation platforms built by the investigatory team are based on the resonantly amplified radiation pressure of laser beams. This new type of optical levitation can provide ultimate isolation of the systems from external noise, making them extremely responsive to subtle environmental changes. These platforms could be turned into sharp instruments for measuring metrological variables of interest and probing new physics. Quantum optical techniques could be developed to optimise the sensitivity of levitated systems to levels that allow the exploration of quantum and gravitational physics.Read moreRead less
Coherent Laser Levitation for Precision Sensing and Enabling Science. When light collides with matter, it may exert a force called radiation pressure. This project aims to use radiation pressure to levitate a small mirror. Using a tripod of laser beams, it is possible to levitate and trap the mirror in a stable position. Radiation pressure has been used before to levitate, but previous work has always involved scattering light from the levitating object. This project proposes the use of a high q ....Coherent Laser Levitation for Precision Sensing and Enabling Science. When light collides with matter, it may exert a force called radiation pressure. This project aims to use radiation pressure to levitate a small mirror. Using a tripod of laser beams, it is possible to levitate and trap the mirror in a stable position. Radiation pressure has been used before to levitate, but previous work has always involved scattering light from the levitating object. This project proposes the use of a high quality mirror, allowing the collection of the reflected light and the accurate measurement and control of the position of the mirror as it floats on the laser beams. Using the unique properties of the floating mirror, it will be possible to search for signatures of quantum gravity and develop tools for ultra-precision metrology.Read moreRead less
Time-space resolved photoelectron emission to control molecular processes. This project aims to resolve simultaneously the timing and space localisation of photoelectron emission from atoms and molecules as a means for targeted breaking of molecular bonds. Existing techniques determine the timing and spatial characteristics of photoemission independently. The simultaneous time-space resolution will allow for the precise manipulation of photoelectrons by a sequence of phase-stabilised laser pulse ....Time-space resolved photoelectron emission to control molecular processes. This project aims to resolve simultaneously the timing and space localisation of photoelectron emission from atoms and molecules as a means for targeted breaking of molecular bonds. Existing techniques determine the timing and spatial characteristics of photoemission independently. The simultaneous time-space resolution will allow for the precise manipulation of photoelectrons by a sequence of phase-stabilised laser pulses, a technique known as coherent control. The benefit of this project will be the coherently controlled breaking of molecular bonds in oxide, carbonyl and hydrocarbon molecules. The outcome will be a significant step forward in driving complex photochemical reactions in industry.Read moreRead less
Cold positron interactions with ultracold rubidium atoms. Antiparticles and antimatter have progressed from theory and science fiction to become an important and exciting area of pure and applied science. This fundamental atomic physics project aims to further study how antimatter and matter interact by providing the first comprehensive experimental results for the interaction of positrons (the electron anti-particle) with trapped rubidium atoms in an innovative combination of two cutting-edge ....Cold positron interactions with ultracold rubidium atoms. Antiparticles and antimatter have progressed from theory and science fiction to become an important and exciting area of pure and applied science. This fundamental atomic physics project aims to further study how antimatter and matter interact by providing the first comprehensive experimental results for the interaction of positrons (the electron anti-particle) with trapped rubidium atoms in an innovative combination of two cutting-edge atomic physics techniques. It aims to provide measurements of many fundamental interaction quantities and for collisions between matter and antimatter. This will look to test the latest quantum theoretical approaches and further our understanding of the uses of antimatter in medical and materials science.Read moreRead less
Interferometry beyond the Standard Quantum Limit. This research aims to realise measurements below the Standard Quantum Limit (SQL) using advanced quantum optic and opto-mechanical techniques. This is of fundamental interest as the SQL is yet to be observed for a macroscopic object. It is also of particular significance to second generation gravitational wave detectors which are expected to be limited by the SQL. This project will develop an opto-mechanical sensor capable of achieving SQL sensit ....Interferometry beyond the Standard Quantum Limit. This research aims to realise measurements below the Standard Quantum Limit (SQL) using advanced quantum optic and opto-mechanical techniques. This is of fundamental interest as the SQL is yet to be observed for a macroscopic object. It is also of particular significance to second generation gravitational wave detectors which are expected to be limited by the SQL. This project will develop an opto-mechanical sensor capable of achieving SQL sensitivity as well as develop and test techniques to surpass the SQL. These techniques will be directly applicable to long base-line gravitational wave detectors.Read moreRead less
Enhancing the science reach of second generation interferometric gravitational wave detectors through innovative mirror design and control. Predicted by Einstein, gravitational waves promise to unlock the secrets of the universe just as seismic measurements unlocked the secrets of the Earth's interior. Scientists are on the brink of detecting these waves. This research aids that effort by developing Australian technologies which allow specific gravitational wave sources to be targeted.
Using high-resolution lasers to test quantum electrodynamics. High-precision laser-based measurements of atomic and molecular structure are benchmarks for our fundamental understanding of matter. This project will undertake state-of-the-art experiments on atomic helium, to test and challenge current theoretical predictions of fundamental quantum-electrodynamic properties for helium and for more complex atoms.
Quantum spatial modes and their use in imaging, measurement, and communication. Quantum optics has the potential to provide highly accurate physical measurements, and to improve the speed and security of communication. The spatial modes of a light field provide a new and interesting basis for these investigations.
This fellowship proposes to generate spatially correlated quantum light beams, applying them to spatial positioning applications, such as atomic force microscopy, and to quantum ....Quantum spatial modes and their use in imaging, measurement, and communication. Quantum optics has the potential to provide highly accurate physical measurements, and to improve the speed and security of communication. The spatial modes of a light field provide a new and interesting basis for these investigations.
This fellowship proposes to generate spatially correlated quantum light beams, applying them to spatial positioning applications, such as atomic force microscopy, and to quantum communication protocols. I will experimentally develop general techniques to losslessly combine multiple quantum spatial modes, and demonstrate multi-mode quantum correlations in a light beam. I will investigate the potential of this light to cryptography, densecoding, and atomic force microscopy.
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Quantum Photonics and Imaging. Photonics is an expanding industry and its technology to date is essentially all classical, it uses light as a wave. In Quantum Photonics we want to carry out fundamental research that makes full use of the quantum properties of photons. We want to demonstrate novel and better ways to create, transfer, store and manipulate information both in space and time. This will lead to new applications such as quantum-cryptography, optical teleportation, and quantum-imagin ....Quantum Photonics and Imaging. Photonics is an expanding industry and its technology to date is essentially all classical, it uses light as a wave. In Quantum Photonics we want to carry out fundamental research that makes full use of the quantum properties of photons. We want to demonstrate novel and better ways to create, transfer, store and manipulate information both in space and time. This will lead to new applications such as quantum-cryptography, optical teleportation, and quantum-imaging, initially with a few, later with many pixel. All these are particularly suitable for our proven technology of nonclassical continuous laser beams.Read moreRead less