Exploring Synergies between Frontier Microphotonics and Advanced Time and Frequency Technology. Recently scientists have developed the means to manufacture objects that are on the same microscopic scale as light itself. These structures can deliver exquisite control of the properties of the light beams. Our existing research has been aimed at developing some of the world's most precise measurement tools based on clocks and the pure colours generated by lasers. By combining these two technologie ....Exploring Synergies between Frontier Microphotonics and Advanced Time and Frequency Technology. Recently scientists have developed the means to manufacture objects that are on the same microscopic scale as light itself. These structures can deliver exquisite control of the properties of the light beams. Our existing research has been aimed at developing some of the world's most precise measurement tools based on clocks and the pure colours generated by lasers. By combining these two technologies, both of which lie at the extreme limit of precision, we will develop a new generation of technology for fundamental science objectives as well as for industrial needs.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100104
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,000.00
Summary
Capability for the fabrication and characterisation of mid-infrared photonic materials. The proposed facility will support the development of new glass materials suitable for transmitting and generating light in the mid-infrared spectral region. This research will allow Australia to lead the world in developing new technologies that make use of the mid-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Particular applications that will flow from this research include the development of new optical ....Capability for the fabrication and characterisation of mid-infrared photonic materials. The proposed facility will support the development of new glass materials suitable for transmitting and generating light in the mid-infrared spectral region. This research will allow Australia to lead the world in developing new technologies that make use of the mid-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Particular applications that will flow from this research include the development of new optical fibre-based laser sources for defence and surgery, new technologies for detecting and treating cancer, and other in-vivo detection methods.Read moreRead less
Creation of New Precision Optical and Microwave Technologies and their Application to Testing the Fundamental of Physics. Clocks and oscillators are crucial for the highest precision scientific and industrial measurements and are the foundation of modern communications technology. Recent developments in laser-cooled optical clocks promise a wave of revolutionary changes to global navigation, timekeeping and precision measurement. Our group has already achieved world's-best performance in this f ....Creation of New Precision Optical and Microwave Technologies and their Application to Testing the Fundamental of Physics. Clocks and oscillators are crucial for the highest precision scientific and industrial measurements and are the foundation of modern communications technology. Recent developments in laser-cooled optical clocks promise a wave of revolutionary changes to global navigation, timekeeping and precision measurement. Our group has already achieved world's-best performance in this field. To stay at the forefront of this wave we propose a broad-ranging program of research aimed at:
- new clocks of 100 times higher performance than any existing clock,
- development of extremely low noise photonic oscillators,
- the application of these new technologies to test the foundations of Physics, including involvement in a space-based experiment.
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Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100009
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$455,000.00
Summary
Ultra-precision cutting and polishing machines for fabricating high-Q crystalline resonators. The proposed facility will equip Australian researchers with the capability to machine and polish optical crystalline materials down to atomic-level smoothness. The availability of this technology will enable the fabrication of ultra-sensitive metrological sensors, state-of-the-art photonic components, and quantum devices. Precision metrology is an integral component of many industries and it underpins ....Ultra-precision cutting and polishing machines for fabricating high-Q crystalline resonators. The proposed facility will equip Australian researchers with the capability to machine and polish optical crystalline materials down to atomic-level smoothness. The availability of this technology will enable the fabrication of ultra-sensitive metrological sensors, state-of-the-art photonic components, and quantum devices. Precision metrology is an integral component of many industries and it underpins a modern, technically advanced society. With this facility Australian researchers will lead the world in the fabrication of optical crystalline devices for a broad range of industrial and research applications.Read moreRead less
Worldwide Collaboration for the Creation of New Frequency Standards, and their Application to testing the Foundations of Physics. Frequency standards are crucial for the highest precision scientific measurements as well as in modern communication and information technology (C&IT). Having already achieved world-best performance for short-term frequency stability, our research team is seeking support to participate in a broad international program with three particular objectives:
(i) create ne ....Worldwide Collaboration for the Creation of New Frequency Standards, and their Application to testing the Foundations of Physics. Frequency standards are crucial for the highest precision scientific measurements as well as in modern communication and information technology (C&IT). Having already achieved world-best performance for short-term frequency stability, our research team is seeking support to participate in a broad international program with three particular objectives:
(i) create new frequency standards based on laser-cooled atoms,
(ii) develop femtosecond laser technology for generating low noise microwave and optical signals,
(iii) develop microwave technology suitable for operation in space.
Improved frequency standards will allow decisive measurements on several fundamental scientific questions, as well as leading to commercial applications in C&IT.
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Experiments with Advanced Isolation Systems, Suspension and Test Masses Using ACIGA's High Optical Power Test Facility. This proposal will allow experimental verification of the performcane of of sapphire test masses and their associated isolation and suspension system in ACIGA's high optical power test facility at Gingin. The work will contribute to the worldwide effort to increase the sensitivity of laser interferometers to the level where known sources of gravitational waves can be detected ....Experiments with Advanced Isolation Systems, Suspension and Test Masses Using ACIGA's High Optical Power Test Facility. This proposal will allow experimental verification of the performcane of of sapphire test masses and their associated isolation and suspension system in ACIGA's high optical power test facility at Gingin. The work will contribute to the worldwide effort to increase the sensitivity of laser interferometers to the level where known sources of gravitational waves can be detected at a reasonable rate.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775668
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$210,000.00
Summary
Direct write - microphotonics fabrication facility. Direct write-microfabrication, where an ultrafast laser is focussed to a small, intense spot and translated under computer control with respect to a target sample, has emerged as a significant enabling technology creating new opportunities in microphotonics. The proposed facility will enable researchers to modify the internal properties of glass blocks and write 'optical wires' (or waveguides). By combining waveguides with other laser written f ....Direct write - microphotonics fabrication facility. Direct write-microfabrication, where an ultrafast laser is focussed to a small, intense spot and translated under computer control with respect to a target sample, has emerged as a significant enabling technology creating new opportunities in microphotonics. The proposed facility will enable researchers to modify the internal properties of glass blocks and write 'optical wires' (or waveguides). By combining waveguides with other laser written functional components researchers will develop devices capable of processing optical information. Outcomes will include demonstrations of compact lasers and slow light generation.Read moreRead less
Developing New Clocks for Australia: Testing the Assumptions of Modern Physics. Clocks lie at the heart of all precise measurement devices; for example, they are the crucial elements in modern navigation and telecommunications systems. This project will develop three new clocks for Australia: a laser clock at the leading edge of technology, a novel and compact clock with commercial potential, and a microwave clock for use in the next generation of satellites. The performance advantage conferre ....Developing New Clocks for Australia: Testing the Assumptions of Modern Physics. Clocks lie at the heart of all precise measurement devices; for example, they are the crucial elements in modern navigation and telecommunications systems. This project will develop three new clocks for Australia: a laser clock at the leading edge of technology, a novel and compact clock with commercial potential, and a microwave clock for use in the next generation of satellites. The performance advantage conferred by our new devices can deliver economic benefits while also giving the possibility for scrutinizing the laws of physics for evidence that there is something beyond our present formulation.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989747
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,000.00
Summary
Ultrafast Dynamics Measurement Facility for the Physical, Biochemical, and Materials Sciences. The term "ultrafast revolution" describes the transformations in science due to ultrafast laser technology. Today, ultrafast lasers are used in surgery, nanomaterial fabrication, biomedical imaging, spectroscopic investigations, and new applications are still emerging. This facility will draw together leading chemists, physicists, and engineers to investigate key ultrafast processes and phenomena in th ....Ultrafast Dynamics Measurement Facility for the Physical, Biochemical, and Materials Sciences. The term "ultrafast revolution" describes the transformations in science due to ultrafast laser technology. Today, ultrafast lasers are used in surgery, nanomaterial fabrication, biomedical imaging, spectroscopic investigations, and new applications are still emerging. This facility will draw together leading chemists, physicists, and engineers to investigate key ultrafast processes and phenomena in the physical, biochemical and material sciences. This is of strategic importance to keep Australia at the global forefront for scientific endeavours, supporting new research and commercial opportunities. This facility will also produce highly trained graduates, who will find employment in industry throughout Australia and globally.Read moreRead less
Quantum and Geometric Aspects of Gauge Theories, Supergravity and String Theory. A central problem of modern high-energy physics is the unification of gravity with the other fundamental interactions that is consistent at the quantum level. Led by a team of internationally recognized experts, this project will yield breakthroughs in supergravity and string theory - crucial ingredients of current approaches to unification. As well as putting Australia at the forefront of this mainstream activity, ....Quantum and Geometric Aspects of Gauge Theories, Supergravity and String Theory. A central problem of modern high-energy physics is the unification of gravity with the other fundamental interactions that is consistent at the quantum level. Led by a team of internationally recognized experts, this project will yield breakthroughs in supergravity and string theory - crucial ingredients of current approaches to unification. As well as putting Australia at the forefront of this mainstream activity, a fertile environment will be provided for the training of graduate students. They will be ideally placed to lead Australia's involvement in the revolution sparked by the expected experimental confirmation of supersymmetry with the Large Hadron Collider. Read moreRead less