Transition Metal Oxide Interfaces: Novel Emerging Functionalities. The project aims to investigate transition metal oxide heterostructures, which offer tremendous opportunities for fundamental research and future technological applications because they combine quantum size effects with effects of strong electron correlations such as magnetic switching, multiferroic coupling or superconductivity. Recent advances in growth methods such as pulsed laser deposition enable layer-by-layer growth with ....Transition Metal Oxide Interfaces: Novel Emerging Functionalities. The project aims to investigate transition metal oxide heterostructures, which offer tremendous opportunities for fundamental research and future technological applications because they combine quantum size effects with effects of strong electron correlations such as magnetic switching, multiferroic coupling or superconductivity. Recent advances in growth methods such as pulsed laser deposition enable layer-by-layer growth with atomic precision. The aim of this project is to combine complementary experimental methods (ie neutron scattering and optical spectroscopy), in order to gain a detailed insight into the magnetic and electronic properties of the heterostructures. This is designed to yield a deeper understanding of the underlying physics in order to help develop new materials for next-generation information technology.Read moreRead less
Topological spin systems as basis for multifunctional materials. This project aims to investigate the fundamental properties (magnetic structure, surface topology, dynamics and interaction with external stimuli) of topological spin systems. Unconventional topological spin structures at the nanometre scale, such as skyrmions in chiral spin systems, could be used in ultra-low energy electronics and high density data storage. In particular, multi-ferroic skyrmion materials could directly control sk ....Topological spin systems as basis for multifunctional materials. This project aims to investigate the fundamental properties (magnetic structure, surface topology, dynamics and interaction with external stimuli) of topological spin systems. Unconventional topological spin structures at the nanometre scale, such as skyrmions in chiral spin systems, could be used in ultra-low energy electronics and high density data storage. In particular, multi-ferroic skyrmion materials could directly control skyrmions through an external electric field, which makes them ideal for nanoelectronics and data storage for IT applications. This project will create and investigate skyrmion materials as the basis for next generation computer and information technology in Australia.Read moreRead less
An efficient optical interconnect for superconducting quantum computers. This project aims to develop the technology to connect superconducting quantum computers to the future quantum internet: an optical interconnect. Superconducting qubits are a leading quantum computing system, but their practical use is limited by their microwave operation frequency, as global quantum networks will operate at optical frequencies. This project aims to solve this problem by converting the microwave photons tha ....An efficient optical interconnect for superconducting quantum computers. This project aims to develop the technology to connect superconducting quantum computers to the future quantum internet: an optical interconnect. Superconducting qubits are a leading quantum computing system, but their practical use is limited by their microwave operation frequency, as global quantum networks will operate at optical frequencies. This project aims to solve this problem by converting the microwave photons that carry superconducting quantum information to optical photons. To achieve high efficiency the project will investigate magnetically ordered rare-earth crystals, which uniquely possess the strong optical and microwave coupling required, to build a converter that could greatly enhance the capabilities of quantum computers.Read moreRead less
Structural and physical properties of 4d and 5d metal oxides. Transition metal oxide with perovskite structures are hosts to many fascinating phenomena. This project explores the emerging area of 4d and 5d transition metal oxides where the correlated electrons can form a variety of electronic phases. Perovskite and related oxides containing 4d and 5d transition metal will be prepared and structurally characterised. The proposed study represents a critical step in understanding the factors influe ....Structural and physical properties of 4d and 5d metal oxides. Transition metal oxide with perovskite structures are hosts to many fascinating phenomena. This project explores the emerging area of 4d and 5d transition metal oxides where the correlated electrons can form a variety of electronic phases. Perovskite and related oxides containing 4d and 5d transition metal will be prepared and structurally characterised. The proposed study represents a critical step in understanding the factors influencing the magnetic and electronic properties of these potentially important oxides. It is anticipated that this will guide the design of materials with specific structures and associated physical properties.Read moreRead less
Emergent Behaviours in Spin Crossover Materials. This project aims to develop new molecular materials in which the incorporation of electronic switching leads to the emergence of fundamentally new chemical and physical phenomena. Through an innovative interdisciplinary approach that targets interesting new forms of interplay at the nanoscale this project expects to generate step-change advances in the understanding of spin-switching materials. Significant anticipated outcomes and benefits includ ....Emergent Behaviours in Spin Crossover Materials. This project aims to develop new molecular materials in which the incorporation of electronic switching leads to the emergence of fundamentally new chemical and physical phenomena. Through an innovative interdisciplinary approach that targets interesting new forms of interplay at the nanoscale this project expects to generate step-change advances in the understanding of spin-switching materials. Significant anticipated outcomes and benefits include identification and development of several new classes of materials function, each of major fundamental interest, and to the generation of advanced new materials worthy of commercial development in electronic device, actuator, sensor and gas separations technologies.Read moreRead less
Multidimensional Coherent Spectroscopy of Strongly Correlated Materials. By applying new types of spectroscopy, this project aims to address the gaps in our understanding of how remarkable macroscopic properties, such as superconductivity, emerge from the fundamental interactions in strongly correlated electron materials. This project will combine theory and experiment to develop a pathway by which multidimensional coherent spectroscopy can disentangle the competing interactions that make these ....Multidimensional Coherent Spectroscopy of Strongly Correlated Materials. By applying new types of spectroscopy, this project aims to address the gaps in our understanding of how remarkable macroscopic properties, such as superconductivity, emerge from the fundamental interactions in strongly correlated electron materials. This project will combine theory and experiment to develop a pathway by which multidimensional coherent spectroscopy can disentangle the competing interactions that make these materials so complex, but also potentially useful. By delivering an understanding of the interplay between different microscopic processes, the project will make it more feasible to control them. This will allow for the design new controllable quantum materials that can be the basis for future technologies.Read moreRead less
Polynuclear Metal Complexes as Molecular Nanomagnets. Computer hard drives and other devices use tiny particles of magnetic materials to store digital information. Technological advances require an increase in the density of information storage and therefore even smaller magnetic particles. This project has the potential to synthesise materials where a single molecule could act as the smallest possible unit of magnetic memory. The future application of these materials may provide an increase ....Polynuclear Metal Complexes as Molecular Nanomagnets. Computer hard drives and other devices use tiny particles of magnetic materials to store digital information. Technological advances require an increase in the density of information storage and therefore even smaller magnetic particles. This project has the potential to synthesise materials where a single molecule could act as the smallest possible unit of magnetic memory. The future application of these materials may provide an increase of three orders of magnitude in information storage density. In addition, they may find employment in quantum computers, which can perform calculations exponentially faster than conventional computers.Read moreRead less
Novel organic materials for efficient low-cost solar cells. Finding sources of renewable energy is the greatest challenge faced by mankind in the coming decades. Solar energy has the potential to provide a large fraction of the world's energy needs. The successful development of a solar technology capable of large scale energy production will reduce our dependence on non-renewable energy sources, such as fossil fuels, leading to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and a sustainable envir ....Novel organic materials for efficient low-cost solar cells. Finding sources of renewable energy is the greatest challenge faced by mankind in the coming decades. Solar energy has the potential to provide a large fraction of the world's energy needs. The successful development of a solar technology capable of large scale energy production will reduce our dependence on non-renewable energy sources, such as fossil fuels, leading to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and a sustainable environment. The harnessing of solar energy involves a number of frontier technologies that will enhance Australia's strengths in research and innovation. There is also potential for the creation of a world-class industry in solar energy that has both economic and environmental benefits.Read moreRead less
Molecular magnetic materials of the cluster and network types. This research project involves the preparation of new molecular based magnets, using metals such as manganese or dysprosium, together with detailed studies of their physical properties. When groups of these metal ions form in to clusters, bridged by organic molecules, they are nano-sized and display new and useful magnetic and quantum properties.
Chemical mapping of materials at the atomic scale. This project will develop a method for measuring the chemical composition of technologically important nanomaterials. This capability will provide Australian scientists with an advanced method for the characterisation of materials and will help them to develop new and better materials for future applications.