Three-Mode interactions and optical springs in high power optical cavities. Gravitational waves are tiny vibrations of space and time which carry vast energy. They will allow the first direct observation of black holes. To make frequent detections this project will harness the force of intense laser light, and use this force to improve the sensitivity of gravitational wave detectors.
A large aperture Sodium lidar for investigating the middle atmosphere (10-100 km). We will create a world-leading sodium lidar for remote sensing of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) regions of the atmosphere, by developing a novel solid-state sodium light source and using the Cangaroo-1 telescope. It will provide the most accurate measurements ever of the temperature profile and wind velocities in the MLT for much needed input into models of the atmosphere. The addition of this capabi ....A large aperture Sodium lidar for investigating the middle atmosphere (10-100 km). We will create a world-leading sodium lidar for remote sensing of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) regions of the atmosphere, by developing a novel solid-state sodium light source and using the Cangaroo-1 telescope. It will provide the most accurate measurements ever of the temperature profile and wind velocities in the MLT for much needed input into models of the atmosphere. The addition of this capability to the suite of atmospheric monitoring instruments at the Buckland Park field station will create a major international research facility, unrivalled in the world.Read moreRead less
Quantum Nanostructure Positioning for Breakthrough Quantum Photonics. The integration of quantum nanostructures in optical devices has been proposed to improve the efficiencies of existing optical devices and create new classes of quantum photonics. Limiting progress is that many nanostructures are made through bottom-up processes with inherently randomly distributions, making integration into devices problematic. Lithographic nanostructure fabrication is rarely an option as it leads to diminish ....Quantum Nanostructure Positioning for Breakthrough Quantum Photonics. The integration of quantum nanostructures in optical devices has been proposed to improve the efficiencies of existing optical devices and create new classes of quantum photonics. Limiting progress is that many nanostructures are made through bottom-up processes with inherently randomly distributions, making integration into devices problematic. Lithographic nanostructure fabrication is rarely an option as it leads to diminishes performance. Here, we propose a new and unique nanostructure positioning technique incorporated directly into the growth process. It interfaces bottom-up technologies with device fabrication, facilitating incorporation of nanostructures in photonic devices, and may be transferrable to a variety of other systems.Read moreRead less
Instrumentation for the era of gravitational wave science. This project aims to study noise sources that limit the low-frequency performance of gravitational wave antenna: thermal noise, quantum radiation pressure noise and Newtonian noise. Gravitational wave detection is a new way in which to observe our universe. Although detectors such as advanced LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) should detect gravitational waves, further sensitivity improvement, particularly at low ....Instrumentation for the era of gravitational wave science. This project aims to study noise sources that limit the low-frequency performance of gravitational wave antenna: thermal noise, quantum radiation pressure noise and Newtonian noise. Gravitational wave detection is a new way in which to observe our universe. Although detectors such as advanced LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) should detect gravitational waves, further sensitivity improvement, particularly at low frequencies, will be needed to provide event rates necessary for astronomy. Expected project outcomes will support the development of the first free mass interferometer to operate at 120K using silicon optics, a vital facility for the world community. Pushing the boundaries of measurement may also drive innovation in optical sensing with potential applications in defence, security and exploration.Read moreRead less
Novel source of excited metastable atoms for Atom Trap Trace Analysis. This project aims to understand and to control light-induced processes in atoms by using finely shaped and tailored laser pulses, focusing on efficient production of excited metastable atoms. This is critical for efficient Atom Trap Trace Analysis, the most advanced technique for dating ground water and geological samples. Expected outcomes of this project include new and enhanced knowledge of physics of light-matter interact ....Novel source of excited metastable atoms for Atom Trap Trace Analysis. This project aims to understand and to control light-induced processes in atoms by using finely shaped and tailored laser pulses, focusing on efficient production of excited metastable atoms. This is critical for efficient Atom Trap Trace Analysis, the most advanced technique for dating ground water and geological samples. Expected outcomes of this project include new and enhanced knowledge of physics of light-matter interactions, developing an efficient, clean source of excited metastable atoms, and integrating that source into the Australian National Facility for dating geological samples. This should provide significant benefits, such as significant improvement of operational efficiency and productivity of that facility.Read moreRead less
Paradigm Shift in Mid-IR Fibre Laser. This project introduces a paradigm shift in 3.5µm mid-IR fibre lasers. A new laser process will be investigated to obtain high-power, simple and robust mid-IR fibre laser design. We will use advanced spectroscopy to characterize the fibre laser dynamics, computer modelling to optimize the laser design, and demonstrate the concept experimentally. The new design will enable agile, high precision polymer processing tailored to the unique absorption lines of car ....Paradigm Shift in Mid-IR Fibre Laser. This project introduces a paradigm shift in 3.5µm mid-IR fibre lasers. A new laser process will be investigated to obtain high-power, simple and robust mid-IR fibre laser design. We will use advanced spectroscopy to characterize the fibre laser dynamics, computer modelling to optimize the laser design, and demonstrate the concept experimentally. The new design will enable agile, high precision polymer processing tailored to the unique absorption lines of carbon-hydrogen bonds in different polymers where there is currently a lack of high power, high brightness low-cost light sources. It will also open the door for very high-resolution laser assisted glass 3D-printing. The project will give Australia a new edge in advanced manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Symmetry and geometric partial differential equations. This project aims to develop tools to assist the study of partial differential equations, which are fundamental to our understanding of the physical world. Symmetries of the Laplace equation are fundamental in both finding and interpreting its solutions and can be traced to the conformal symmetries of the underlying space. Only for the most symmetric of spaces, Euclidean space and the sphere, is this correspondence well understood. Using pow ....Symmetry and geometric partial differential equations. This project aims to develop tools to assist the study of partial differential equations, which are fundamental to our understanding of the physical world. Symmetries of the Laplace equation are fundamental in both finding and interpreting its solutions and can be traced to the conformal symmetries of the underlying space. Only for the most symmetric of spaces, Euclidean space and the sphere, is this correspondence well understood. Using powerful geometric tools from conformal geometry, the project will extend this to less symmetric spaces. The knowledge generated from this project will extend to more general geometric contexts providing a concrete setting for the study of the associated natural equations in curved spaces.Read moreRead less
Sub-wavelength light confinement. This project will introduce and demonstrate new concepts for confining and patterning light on sub-wavelength scales. Building on Australian expertise in optical fibre technologies, this fundamental research will enhance Australia's position at the forefront of international research in the nanoscale control of light. These concepts also promise to lead to patentable new tools for ultra high-resolution imaging and for manipulating materials. This project will en ....Sub-wavelength light confinement. This project will introduce and demonstrate new concepts for confining and patterning light on sub-wavelength scales. Building on Australian expertise in optical fibre technologies, this fundamental research will enhance Australia's position at the forefront of international research in the nanoscale control of light. These concepts also promise to lead to patentable new tools for ultra high-resolution imaging and for manipulating materials. This project will enhance Australia's international links, build on a range of national research programs, and provide training of researchers in photonics, which will be of benefit to Australian industry and research.Read moreRead less
Ubiquity of K-theory and T-duality. An abstract mathematical tool, called K-theory, has recently found application in two, not obviously related, areas of physics: the classification of D-branes in String Theory, and topological phases in Condensed Matter Theory. This project aims to advance the development of K-theory using ideas from physics. In particular, the project aims to generalise previous constructions, such as T-duality, to loop spaces, and to develop the K-theory relevant to the clas ....Ubiquity of K-theory and T-duality. An abstract mathematical tool, called K-theory, has recently found application in two, not obviously related, areas of physics: the classification of D-branes in String Theory, and topological phases in Condensed Matter Theory. This project aims to advance the development of K-theory using ideas from physics. In particular, the project aims to generalise previous constructions, such as T-duality, to loop spaces, and to develop the K-theory relevant to the classification of topological phases in strongly interacting systems. This project involves postgraduate training as a crucial tool in achieving its aims and enhances Australia's position at the forefront of international research.Read moreRead less
Applications of generalised geometry to duality in quantum theory. This project will undertake research into mathematics at the forefront of modern physics. The aim of the project is to develop a mathematical theory of T-duality, a phenomenon in quantum physics, using generalised geometry.