Advanced Quantum Sensors for Next-Generation Sensing Applications. The aim of this theoretical physics project is to develop ultra-precise sensing capabilities for two main applications: ultrastable inertial sensors for improved navigation and gravimetry, and to search for signatures of quantum gravity. This project expects to improve the performance of quantum sensors via the use of machine optimisation, and may lead to much-needed experimental data to help guide one of the most challenging pro ....Advanced Quantum Sensors for Next-Generation Sensing Applications. The aim of this theoretical physics project is to develop ultra-precise sensing capabilities for two main applications: ultrastable inertial sensors for improved navigation and gravimetry, and to search for signatures of quantum gravity. This project expects to improve the performance of quantum sensors via the use of machine optimisation, and may lead to much-needed experimental data to help guide one of the most challenging problems in theoretical physics: the quantisation of gravity. The expected outcomes of this project are enhanced quantum sensor design, leading to improved inertial sensing technology. This should provide benefits such as improved capabilities for minerals exploration and monitoring the movement of ground water.Read moreRead less
Spin vortex dynamics in a ferromagnetic superfluid. Magnetic spin vortices are stable whirlpool-like objects that can spontaneously form when magnetic materials are rapidly cooled. This project aims to understand and manipulate spin vortices in a magnetic quantum fluid, one of the cleanest and most controllable magnetic systems. The significance is that spin vortices are potentially fundamental elements of future electronic technologies for advanced storage and logic. The expected outcomes are ....Spin vortex dynamics in a ferromagnetic superfluid. Magnetic spin vortices are stable whirlpool-like objects that can spontaneously form when magnetic materials are rapidly cooled. This project aims to understand and manipulate spin vortices in a magnetic quantum fluid, one of the cleanest and most controllable magnetic systems. The significance is that spin vortices are potentially fundamental elements of future electronic technologies for advanced storage and logic. The expected outcomes are the ability to create spin vortices on demand, and the characterisation of their suitability for future applications. The benefit is an improved fundamental knowledge of spin vortices, and laying the groundwork for the use of magnetic structures in future spin-based electronics.Read moreRead less
Gravity effects in quantum clocks and sensors: foundations and applications. Time is among the most precisely measurable quantities in physics, yet it is also the least understood concept in physics. This project aims to develop a mathematical framework describing measurements of time with high-precision clocks sensitive to both quantum and gravitational effects. The project expects to deliver new knowledge in the foundations of quantum physics by describing new gravitational effects in quantum ....Gravity effects in quantum clocks and sensors: foundations and applications. Time is among the most precisely measurable quantities in physics, yet it is also the least understood concept in physics. This project aims to develop a mathematical framework describing measurements of time with high-precision clocks sensitive to both quantum and gravitational effects. The project expects to deliver new knowledge in the foundations of quantum physics by describing new gravitational effects in quantum systems. Expected outcomes include enhanced understanding of time in quantum theory and strategies for harnessing gravitational effects in high-precision clocks, bringing cultural benefits to society and paving the way towards improved quantum technologies that are expected to bring economic benefits in the next two decades. Read moreRead less
The physics and biology of hearing in larval fish. Using the zebrafish model and an array of cutting-edge biophysics and neuroscience tools, this project aims to provide the first complete map of a functioning auditory system. This is significant because it has previously been impossible to study the brain at the levels of single cells, circuits, and brain-wide networks simultaneously. Expected outcomes include detailed descriptions of information flow through a simple brain and the ways that br ....The physics and biology of hearing in larval fish. Using the zebrafish model and an array of cutting-edge biophysics and neuroscience tools, this project aims to provide the first complete map of a functioning auditory system. This is significant because it has previously been impossible to study the brain at the levels of single cells, circuits, and brain-wide networks simultaneously. Expected outcomes include detailed descriptions of information flow through a simple brain and the ways that brain cells and circuits communicate to process information. Benefits include knowledge gained about sensory systems in nature, future biomimetic approaches for information processing, and the training of the next generation of Australian researchers in cutting edge optical physics and neuroscience.Read moreRead less
Harnessing genuine quantum nonlocality. This project aims to develop the science and tools behind device-independent quantum security for information networks. These gold-standard protocols rely on genuine quantum nonlocality but, to date, the strict performance requirements have been unachievable for general practical cases. Further, the theory of nonlocality in multiparty networks is almost completely undeveloped. The project’s anticipated outcomes are novel experiment and theory to bypass bar ....Harnessing genuine quantum nonlocality. This project aims to develop the science and tools behind device-independent quantum security for information networks. These gold-standard protocols rely on genuine quantum nonlocality but, to date, the strict performance requirements have been unachievable for general practical cases. Further, the theory of nonlocality in multiparty networks is almost completely undeveloped. The project’s anticipated outcomes are novel experiment and theory to bypass barriers and open up nonlocal network protocols. It is also expected to rigorously establish that a single-photon wavefunction after a beamsplitter is truly nonlocal. Likely future benefits include secure random numbers, secure distributed information technology and world-best photon sources.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220101082
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$433,182.00
Summary
Heralded entangled photons to enable quantum networking and computation. This project aims to advance quantum networking and quantum computation by developing the science of new heralded, i.e. nondestructively verified, entangled states of photons. Despite great potential, photonic quantum technologies have been held back by the lack of key resources in the form of heralded entangled states of photons. Expected outcomes of the project include novel experimental capabilities of heralded state gen ....Heralded entangled photons to enable quantum networking and computation. This project aims to advance quantum networking and quantum computation by developing the science of new heralded, i.e. nondestructively verified, entangled states of photons. Despite great potential, photonic quantum technologies have been held back by the lack of key resources in the form of heralded entangled states of photons. Expected outcomes of the project include novel experimental capabilities of heralded state generation and powerful new theoretical methods for photonic circuit design. This should enable the realisation of quantum protocols with a genuine advantage, a critical step towards practical quantum technologies underlying the next generation of cybersecurity.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems. This Centre aims to build sophisticated quantum machines to harness the quantum world for the future health, economy, environment and security of Australian society. It intends to pioneer the designer quantum materials, engines and imaging systems at the heart of these machines. It also solves the most challenging research problems at the interface of basic quantum physics and engineering. The Centre will work with industry partners to tra ....ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems. This Centre aims to build sophisticated quantum machines to harness the quantum world for the future health, economy, environment and security of Australian society. It intends to pioneer the designer quantum materials, engines and imaging systems at the heart of these machines. It also solves the most challenging research problems at the interface of basic quantum physics and engineering. The Centre will work with industry partners to translate these research discoveries into practical applications and devices. It will train scientists in research, innovation, and entrepreneurship, which is expected to affect Australia’s high-tech economy.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220101548
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,000.00
Summary
Calming the Superfluid Storm: Taming Turbulence in Superfluid Devices. Turbulence, the chaotic flow of fluids, occurs in the vast majority of fluid flows in nature. This project aims to develop a new understanding of turbulence in superfluids, a class of quantum fluids which can flow without friction. The significance is that aspects of turbulence are universal, so that discoveries in superfluid turbulence will provide fundamental insights into all forms of turbulence. The expected outcomes are ....Calming the Superfluid Storm: Taming Turbulence in Superfluid Devices. Turbulence, the chaotic flow of fluids, occurs in the vast majority of fluid flows in nature. This project aims to develop a new understanding of turbulence in superfluids, a class of quantum fluids which can flow without friction. The significance is that aspects of turbulence are universal, so that discoveries in superfluid turbulence will provide fundamental insights into all forms of turbulence. The expected outcomes are solutions to two outstanding questions – what are the universal laws of turbulent flow for superfluids, and what new forms of quantum vortex matter are possible? New insights into turbulence will benefit all applications which rely on its understanding, for example in medicine, aviation, and climate modelling.Read moreRead less
Heisenberg-limited lasers: building the revolution. The project aims to design and build a revolutionary new type of laser based on the ground-breaking 2020 Nature Physics paper by the two Chief Investigators. The significance of this work is that it overturns 60 years of theory about the limits to laser coherence, by applying 21st century quantum theory and quantum technology to the problem. This project expects to greatly advance the theory and, by instigating a collaboration with world-leadin ....Heisenberg-limited lasers: building the revolution. The project aims to design and build a revolutionary new type of laser based on the ground-breaking 2020 Nature Physics paper by the two Chief Investigators. The significance of this work is that it overturns 60 years of theory about the limits to laser coherence, by applying 21st century quantum theory and quantum technology to the problem. This project expects to greatly advance the theory and, by instigating a collaboration with world-leading experimentalists working with superconducting quantum devices, to demonstrate a laser with coherence beyond what was thought possible. Benefits of the project should flow from the manifold applications for highly coherent radiation, including scaling up superconducting quantum computing.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