Studies of near-field optical emission from waveguides and photonic crystals. Advanced optical materials and photonic devices require microscopic feature sizes close to the wavelength of light, challenging the limits of conventional fabrication and characterisation techniques (often developed in parallel). With extensive expertise in near-field optical modelling, Dr Rahmani will target specific problems associated with the characterisation of actual photonic devices. This will improve device de ....Studies of near-field optical emission from waveguides and photonic crystals. Advanced optical materials and photonic devices require microscopic feature sizes close to the wavelength of light, challenging the limits of conventional fabrication and characterisation techniques (often developed in parallel). With extensive expertise in near-field optical modelling, Dr Rahmani will target specific problems associated with the characterisation of actual photonic devices. This will improve device design and fabrication, enabling the development of more efficient, compact lasers and other devices. Economic and social benefits are expected from resulting improvements in optical processing, and the potential for new jobs and industries in this field.Read moreRead less
The standard quantum limit and beyond collaboration. Achievement of a limit never before reached in measuring the position of a macroscopic object will produce a new world record for Australia, breaking that limit is akin to breaking the 4 minute mile - a feat previously thought impossible. Not only will this create national pride in our ability to innovate, but the optical technology developed with the opening of the new field of sub-quantum interferometry has the potential to generate tangibl ....The standard quantum limit and beyond collaboration. Achievement of a limit never before reached in measuring the position of a macroscopic object will produce a new world record for Australia, breaking that limit is akin to breaking the 4 minute mile - a feat previously thought impossible. Not only will this create national pride in our ability to innovate, but the optical technology developed with the opening of the new field of sub-quantum interferometry has the potential to generate tangible benefits for Australian industry. This proposal will produce scientists highly trained in technologies related to emerging industries such as photonics.Read moreRead less
Detectors and sources for photonic quantum engineering. This collaboration brings together two of the leading groups in quantum information and will speed the development of breakthrough technologies. Dr Jennewein is a senior member of one of the leading quantum optics groups in the world, with strong scientific credentials; Prof. White is an expert in making, applying, and detecting photons for quantum information. Dr Jennewein's experience will enhance research training of Australian students; ....Detectors and sources for photonic quantum engineering. This collaboration brings together two of the leading groups in quantum information and will speed the development of breakthrough technologies. Dr Jennewein is a senior member of one of the leading quantum optics groups in the world, with strong scientific credentials; Prof. White is an expert in making, applying, and detecting photons for quantum information. Dr Jennewein's experience will enhance research training of Australian students; using the unique facilities available in Australia, his research will be the first in the world to combine bright photon sources and efficient photon detectors, enabling new quantum technologies such as quantum communication, metrology, and computation.Read moreRead less
Quantum Photonics with continuous laser beams - travel award. Quantum information and communication is a new paradigm in information technology which utilises quantum physics to improve current limitations in speed, security and fidelity of information transmission and processing, extending the present Electronics and Photonics devices. Future applications will include teleportation, cryptography and ultimately quantum computation. We propose to investigate these applications using continuous (C ....Quantum Photonics with continuous laser beams - travel award. Quantum information and communication is a new paradigm in information technology which utilises quantum physics to improve current limitations in speed, security and fidelity of information transmission and processing, extending the present Electronics and Photonics devices. Future applications will include teleportation, cryptography and ultimately quantum computation. We propose to investigate these applications using continuous (CW) laser beams and the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) quantum entanglement, which is generated via a pair of optical parametric oscillators. The advantage of CW over the established single photon technology is better detection efficiency, wider data bandwidth and a compatibility with existing photonics technology.Read moreRead less
Low threshold photonic crystal microlasers. The aims of this project are to develop detailed finite-difference time-domain numerical models of active photonic crystal structures, and to use them to optimise the design and performance of photonic-crystal-based devices, especially micro-cavity lasers. Photonic crystal microlasers have the potential to provide very efficient and low noise laser sources in micron-sized cavities, however the simplistic structures used to realise these lasers to date ....Low threshold photonic crystal microlasers. The aims of this project are to develop detailed finite-difference time-domain numerical models of active photonic crystal structures, and to use them to optimise the design and performance of photonic-crystal-based devices, especially micro-cavity lasers. Photonic crystal microlasers have the potential to provide very efficient and low noise laser sources in micron-sized cavities, however the simplistic structures used to realise these lasers to date provide sub-optimal performance. Innovative designs with improved performance will be developed by tailoring both the optical and thermal properties of planar photonic crystal stuctures. Devices designed during this project will subsequently be fabricated at facilities in France.Read moreRead less
Singular optics of polychromatic light. This project targets fundamental research in the emerging field of nonlinear singular optics with polychromatic light. It underpins new technological advances in the field of photonics, where Australia has built strong expertise and plays a significant role in the international development. This research will assist in the development of new type of photonic applications, where the spatial and spectral coherence of light plays a key role. Therefore our pro ....Singular optics of polychromatic light. This project targets fundamental research in the emerging field of nonlinear singular optics with polychromatic light. It underpins new technological advances in the field of photonics, where Australia has built strong expertise and plays a significant role in the international development. This research will assist in the development of new type of photonic applications, where the spatial and spectral coherence of light plays a key role. Therefore our project will contribute to the designated priority area 'Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries' by providing fundamental understanding of novel physical phenomena and by building experimental and theoretical basis for new photonic technologies.Read moreRead less
Microcharacterisation of rare-earth-doped optical fibres. Rare-earth-doped optical fibres continue to play a central role in optical telecommunication systems and are increasingly being used as elements in optical fibre sensing devices and as fibre lasers. The aim of this project is the application of new high spatial resolution techniques for determining the physical properties of such fibres. These methods will permit unprecedented knowledge of the precise distribution of rare-earth ions in th ....Microcharacterisation of rare-earth-doped optical fibres. Rare-earth-doped optical fibres continue to play a central role in optical telecommunication systems and are increasingly being used as elements in optical fibre sensing devices and as fibre lasers. The aim of this project is the application of new high spatial resolution techniques for determining the physical properties of such fibres. These methods will permit unprecedented knowledge of the precise distribution of rare-earth ions in the fibre and its relationship with the fibre's refractive index profile. This information is critical to understanding the performance of rare-earth-doped fibres in a variety of applications and the outcomes of this work will inform the design of fibres optimised for use in specific applications.Read moreRead less
Measuring the linewidth enhancement factor and optical feedback level factor of semiconductor lasers based on optical feedback self-mixing interferometry. This project aims to develop a high performance solution for the challenging problem of measuring the linewidth enhancement factor (LEF) of semiconductor lasers (SLs) and the optical feedback level factor, C, for the optical feedback self-mixing (OFSM) systems. Specific outcomes of the research include (1) a new model for an optical feedback ....Measuring the linewidth enhancement factor and optical feedback level factor of semiconductor lasers based on optical feedback self-mixing interferometry. This project aims to develop a high performance solution for the challenging problem of measuring the linewidth enhancement factor (LEF) of semiconductor lasers (SLs) and the optical feedback level factor, C, for the optical feedback self-mixing (OFSM) systems. Specific outcomes of the research include (1) a new model for an optical feedback self-mixing effect, (2) a new approach for measuring LEF and C based on the proposed model, (3) signal processing algorithms for improving the performance of the proposed approach, and (4) an OFSM system prototype based on the new model and algorithms.Read moreRead less
New technologies for the DRAGONFLY instrument. The vast distances in the galaxy have motivated the long-held dream of astronomers to build telescopes with enough magnification to zoom in on the intimate lives of stars. With a bold new approach, the Dragonfly instrument will make a major step in performance beyond existing technology, delivering images with an unmatched combination of high fidelity and resolution. A number of crucial questions await such a breakthrough in capability. How do stars ....New technologies for the DRAGONFLY instrument. The vast distances in the galaxy have motivated the long-held dream of astronomers to build telescopes with enough magnification to zoom in on the intimate lives of stars. With a bold new approach, the Dragonfly instrument will make a major step in performance beyond existing technology, delivering images with an unmatched combination of high fidelity and resolution. A number of crucial questions await such a breakthrough in capability. How do stars form? What happens as they die? Are planetary systems common? Demonstrated success with this instrument will place it at the forefront of astronomical imaging worldwide, providing a vital element in the case for justifying the next generation of large telescopes.Read moreRead less
Optical circuits for quantum non-locality with single photons. This collaborative project between the University of Queensland and Hokkaido University will investigate fundamental aspects of quantum mechanics concerned with non-locality. The results will have direct relevance to the emerging field of quantum technology - new technologies based exploiting the quantum mechanical nature of physical systems. Through the collaboration Australia will gain access to world-class single photon generation ....Optical circuits for quantum non-locality with single photons. This collaborative project between the University of Queensland and Hokkaido University will investigate fundamental aspects of quantum mechanics concerned with non-locality. The results will have direct relevance to the emerging field of quantum technology - new technologies based exploiting the quantum mechanical nature of physical systems. Through the collaboration Australia will gain access to world-class single photon generation facilities that will be replicated here. A strong link between Japanese and Australian researchers, including students, will be formed.Read moreRead less