Novel effects of metamaterials on propagation and localisation of electromagnetic waves in photonic crystal structures. Australian science enjoys a long tradition of success and leadership in optical physics and, presently, Australia ranks amongst the leaders in nanophotonics. In order to maintain its position in a highly competitive field, new device designs, based on research into new concepts and new materials, is needed. This project explores the exciting new field of mixed media systems c ....Novel effects of metamaterials on propagation and localisation of electromagnetic waves in photonic crystal structures. Australian science enjoys a long tradition of success and leadership in optical physics and, presently, Australia ranks amongst the leaders in nanophotonics. In order to maintain its position in a highly competitive field, new device designs, based on research into new concepts and new materials, is needed. This project explores the exciting new field of mixed media systems comprising composite structures made from normal and meta-materials. It will deliver fundamental understanding of these systems and will explore potential new device applications based on this, in addition to enhancing research training needed to enhance Australia's international reputation in frontier technologies.Read moreRead less
Nonlinear optics of soft matter. This project will develop new strategies for the use and control of soft-matter systems by exploiting nonlinear interactions with light, and therefore falls into the Designated Research Priority 3: Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries - Breakthrough Science. With soft matter research being increasingly important for applications within industry and medicine, the emergence of new technology for control of nanoparticles could pr ....Nonlinear optics of soft matter. This project will develop new strategies for the use and control of soft-matter systems by exploiting nonlinear interactions with light, and therefore falls into the Designated Research Priority 3: Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries - Breakthrough Science. With soft matter research being increasingly important for applications within industry and medicine, the emergence of new technology for control of nanoparticles could provide significant benefits for the scientific community as well as Australian companies.
Read moreRead less
Light Emission and Localization in Photonic Clusters and Random Lasers. Recent experimental advances have exhibited surprising optical properties of artificial and natural systems structured on the scale of the wavelength of light. We will model numerically such systems, providing insights into the way radiation from atoms placed in them can be changed, light scattering can lead to lasers without mirrors, their fine structure can result in colours which never fade, and light can be localized or ....Light Emission and Localization in Photonic Clusters and Random Lasers. Recent experimental advances have exhibited surprising optical properties of artificial and natural systems structured on the scale of the wavelength of light. We will model numerically such systems, providing insights into the way radiation from atoms placed in them can be changed, light scattering can lead to lasers without mirrors, their fine structure can result in colours which never fade, and light can be localized or trapped in three dimensions.Read moreRead less
Carrier dynamics in III-V semiconductor quantum dots and nanostructures. Quantum dots and related nanostructures are one of the most attractive topics in the recently years. This project will investigate the role of carrier dynamics in these nanostructures by using state-of-the-art ultrafast spectroscopy techniques. The wealth of information obtained from this study will not only enhance our knowledge base but also allow us to design high performance QD lasers and detectors and to demonstrate in ....Carrier dynamics in III-V semiconductor quantum dots and nanostructures. Quantum dots and related nanostructures are one of the most attractive topics in the recently years. This project will investigate the role of carrier dynamics in these nanostructures by using state-of-the-art ultrafast spectroscopy techniques. The wealth of information obtained from this study will not only enhance our knowledge base but also allow us to design high performance QD lasers and detectors and to demonstrate innovative optoelectronic devices for optical communication systems as well as quantum information processing. It will ensure that Australia is at the cutting edge of nanotechnology and optoelectronics research.Read moreRead less
Quantum technologies based on crystalline rare-earth ion doped optical waveguides and resonators. Quantum information processing is a powerful emerging technology that aims to fully exploit the properties of quantum mechanics to perform computations and securely transmit information. This project will develop an essential component for this technology that will enable for the first time the direct and reversible transfer of quantum information between solid-state quantum systems and light. Succ ....Quantum technologies based on crystalline rare-earth ion doped optical waveguides and resonators. Quantum information processing is a powerful emerging technology that aims to fully exploit the properties of quantum mechanics to perform computations and securely transmit information. This project will develop an essential component for this technology that will enable for the first time the direct and reversible transfer of quantum information between solid-state quantum systems and light. Successful completion of this project will provide a route to fully scalable quantum computing and long range quantum networks. This project will help secure Australia's leading role in this strategically important new generation technology.Read moreRead less
Improving optical data storage and micromachining technology through better modelling and characterisation of their laser beams. The laser sources generally do not have simple (Gaussian) distributions. The applicant has recently developed a model, describing free propagation of complex (non-Gaussian) laser beams. This project seeks to develop a comprehending model for laser beams propagation through complex optical systems. The effects of various optical elements will be defined employing a no ....Improving optical data storage and micromachining technology through better modelling and characterisation of their laser beams. The laser sources generally do not have simple (Gaussian) distributions. The applicant has recently developed a model, describing free propagation of complex (non-Gaussian) laser beams. This project seeks to develop a comprehending model for laser beams propagation through complex optical systems. The effects of various optical elements will be defined employing a novel method known as SAFE (Stable Aggregate of Flexible Elements) which is a compromise between geometrical and physical optics. Applying this model to micromachining and optical data storage (ODS), which need high beam quality (low divergence and good focussibility), enable accurate predictive capability critical to the optimisation of micromachining and ODS designs.Read moreRead less
Optoelectronic properties of low-dimensional semiconductor systems and semiconductor nanostructures under terahertz free-electron laser radiation. The recent application of terahertz (THz) free-electron lasers (FELs) to scientific investigation into low-dimensional semiconductor systems and semiconductor nanostructures has opened up a new field of research in semiconductor optoelectronics. This project will conduct a joint experimental and theoretical study of how these novel systems interact w ....Optoelectronic properties of low-dimensional semiconductor systems and semiconductor nanostructures under terahertz free-electron laser radiation. The recent application of terahertz (THz) free-electron lasers (FELs) to scientific investigation into low-dimensional semiconductor systems and semiconductor nanostructures has opened up a new field of research in semiconductor optoelectronics. This project will conduct a joint experimental and theoretical study of how these novel systems interact with intense THz laser fields. Experimentally, we plan to use Beijing FELs in China to study optoelectronic properties in GaAs-and GaN based systems. Theoretically, we intend developing fundamental new approaches to theory of electron interactions with intense laser fields in semiconductors and relating theoretical results to experiments and experimental findings.Read moreRead less
Photonic Crystal Quantum Dot Lasers. Nanotechnology is expected to make a major impact in all industry sectors. This research has the potential to develop patentable technologies of interest to Australian industries in the fields of computers, communications, defence, environmental and medical sensing. This project will enhance Australia's international links with UK, France, Canada, Korea and USA and allow us to train skilled personnel essential for the development of high tech industries in ....Photonic Crystal Quantum Dot Lasers. Nanotechnology is expected to make a major impact in all industry sectors. This research has the potential to develop patentable technologies of interest to Australian industries in the fields of computers, communications, defence, environmental and medical sensing. This project will enhance Australia's international links with UK, France, Canada, Korea and USA and allow us to train skilled personnel essential for the development of high tech industries in Australia. Read moreRead less
Engineering phase and the flow of light in nanophotonics. Optical devices on the scale of only billionths of a meter impel photonic revolution in information technologies. The extraordinary sensitivity and tunability of light confined on nano-scale is caused by the yet unexplored and poorly understood world of tiniest flows of energy, the optical vortices. In this project we will learn to manipulate optical vortices with the light itself, introducing original concepts for intelligent engineering ....Engineering phase and the flow of light in nanophotonics. Optical devices on the scale of only billionths of a meter impel photonic revolution in information technologies. The extraordinary sensitivity and tunability of light confined on nano-scale is caused by the yet unexplored and poorly understood world of tiniest flows of energy, the optical vortices. In this project we will learn to manipulate optical vortices with the light itself, introducing original concepts for intelligent engineering of nano-elements of a photonic chip. This project will deliver underpinning knowledge, foremost practical expertise, and the prominent training of young researchers to secure Australia's international leadership in the rapidly growing and competitive field of nanophotonics.Read moreRead less
SILICON BASED PHOTONIC CRYSTALS FOR MONITORING BIOMOLECULAR INTERACTIONS. Two great goals of biomolecular science are to monitor biomolecular interactions in real time and with sufficient sensitivity to allow small amounts of biological material to be investigated. The achievement of these goals is limited by the methods of transducing these reactions. The aim of this multidisciplinary proposal is to overcome this limitation by developing photonic devices that exploit the unique properties of na ....SILICON BASED PHOTONIC CRYSTALS FOR MONITORING BIOMOLECULAR INTERACTIONS. Two great goals of biomolecular science are to monitor biomolecular interactions in real time and with sufficient sensitivity to allow small amounts of biological material to be investigated. The achievement of these goals is limited by the methods of transducing these reactions. The aim of this multidisciplinary proposal is to overcome this limitation by developing photonic devices that exploit the unique properties of nanoporous silicon. The hybridisation of DNA will be used as a model biorecognition reaction. Potential applications of these photonic devices are as highly sensitive affinity sensors and as tools for investigating the kinetics of biomolecular interactions.Read moreRead less