Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120101721
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Probing the excited states of organic semiconductor systems with photoinduced absorption spectroscopy. Plastic semiconductors have the potential to revolutionise consumer electronics by enabling cheap, flexible and low power devices. The success of these devices depends on our understanding of the optical and electronic properties of the materials, which this project aims to address through the use of photoinduced absorption spectroscopy.
Optical Nano-plasmonics. There is much current interest and excitement in nano-optics, where light interacts with features on its own scale or finer than it. One way of achieving strong interactions between light and finely structured systems is to incorporate metallic elements, and use the resonances called surface plasmons which arise due to electric currents flowing on the metal. We will develop accurate ways of calculating the properties of these plasmons for a range of metal-dielectric syst ....Optical Nano-plasmonics. There is much current interest and excitement in nano-optics, where light interacts with features on its own scale or finer than it. One way of achieving strong interactions between light and finely structured systems is to incorporate metallic elements, and use the resonances called surface plasmons which arise due to electric currents flowing on the metal. We will develop accurate ways of calculating the properties of these plasmons for a range of metal-dielectric systems, in order to design highly miniaturized structures which can manipulate light for applications in optical sensors and related devices.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
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
Deep-ultraviolet light source by frequency doubling of blue or green light for disinfection. Current ultraviolet light sources are inefficient and often bulky. By an alternative approach, in which the wavelength of blue or green light is halved, this project will design and build compact, efficient sources of ultraviolet light, which can be used for disinfection and sterilization. Such devices can be fabricated by Australian industry in Australia.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130101300
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Molecules and mirrors: new directions in chemistry and organic optoelectronics using hybrid light or matter states. This project will explore the exotic mixtures of light and matter that can form when molecules are placed in nano-scale mirror cavities. If the chemical reactivity of these mixed light or matter states can be controlled, a new generation of efficient, organic solar energy capture and storage devices is anticipated.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE160100069
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$370,000.00
Summary
Ultra-low temperature facility for optical experiments. Ultra-low temperature facility for optical experiments:
The project aims to establish a state-of-the-art facility to conduct optics and photonics experiments at ultra-low temperatures, by integrating an optical-access cryogen-free dilution refrigerator into an optics laboratory. Near absolute zero temperature, complex materials and engineered nanoscale devices exhibit striking quantum mechanical behaviour. Experimental access to photonics ....Ultra-low temperature facility for optical experiments. Ultra-low temperature facility for optical experiments:
The project aims to establish a state-of-the-art facility to conduct optics and photonics experiments at ultra-low temperatures, by integrating an optical-access cryogen-free dilution refrigerator into an optics laboratory. Near absolute zero temperature, complex materials and engineered nanoscale devices exhibit striking quantum mechanical behaviour. Experimental access to photonics at millikelvin temperatures would enable a coherent quantum-mechanical interface between spins, charges, phonons and photons. This unique facility may help in designing the next generation of information, communication and metrology devices, such as quantum computers, single-photon sources and detectors, and nanoscale quantum-enhanced sensors.Read moreRead less
Sensing single electrons with single molecules. The focus of this project is on optical detection of single electron transport in solids and in large/bio molecules. Successful experimental demonstration of the proposed technique will considerably enhance Australia's standing in high profile areas of natural sciences. In practical terms, it can contribute to development of new generation solar cells, artificial photosynthetic centres, and a new generation of nanoprobes for biomedical application ....Sensing single electrons with single molecules. The focus of this project is on optical detection of single electron transport in solids and in large/bio molecules. Successful experimental demonstration of the proposed technique will considerably enhance Australia's standing in high profile areas of natural sciences. In practical terms, it can contribute to development of new generation solar cells, artificial photosynthetic centres, and a new generation of nanoprobes for biomedical applications. Because the single-molecule technique is a new and dynamic field, opportunities exist for significant commercial property development. The project will also train a number of students in several fields of high technology, all of which are likely to have high demand in the future.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120102069
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Optical solitons on a photonic chip: unprecedented light control at the nanoscale. Solitons, waves that maintain their shape as they travel, exist in systems as diverse as water waves, molecular biology, and optics. This project explores previously unobservable light propagation regimes in two-dimensional periodic media, photonic crystals. These studies provide unprecedented control of light-matter interaction at the nanoscale.
Scanning Probe Microscopy for Fabrication and Analysis of Polymer Photovoltaics. Australian economic growth will depend increasingly on the provision of devices using materials designed at the molecular level. Scanning probe microscopy, which uses tips placed very close to surfaces to analyse or modify the surfaces with molecular precision, is an indispensible tool in designing such materials. In this project, scanning probe microscopy will be used to analyse and build structures on polymer sola ....Scanning Probe Microscopy for Fabrication and Analysis of Polymer Photovoltaics. Australian economic growth will depend increasingly on the provision of devices using materials designed at the molecular level. Scanning probe microscopy, which uses tips placed very close to surfaces to analyse or modify the surfaces with molecular precision, is an indispensible tool in designing such materials. In this project, scanning probe microscopy will be used to analyse and build structures on polymer solar cells in order to maximise the efficiency of the cells and build prototype nanoscale polymer devices. This will lead to the improvement in devices delivering sustainable energy production - a technology which has the promise of producing energy cheaply from sunlight.Read moreRead less