Quantum optical methods for entangled devices. This project aims to develop experimental quantum optics methods and techniques for enhancing the performance of sensitive devices. Entangled photons will be used to probe separate devices, yielding an improved detection of correlated signals. This new technique will benefit laboratory searches for new fundamental physics effects such as space-time fluctuations due to quantum gravity and exotic dark matter candidates. The project is expected to tr ....Quantum optical methods for entangled devices. This project aims to develop experimental quantum optics methods and techniques for enhancing the performance of sensitive devices. Entangled photons will be used to probe separate devices, yielding an improved detection of correlated signals. This new technique will benefit laboratory searches for new fundamental physics effects such as space-time fluctuations due to quantum gravity and exotic dark matter candidates. The project is expected to train scientists and students in advanced quantum methods, promoting and securing Australia's position as a leader in the development of quantum technologies. Read moreRead less
Quantum non-locality with mass-entangled metastable helium atoms atoms. The aim of this project is to use ultracold helium atoms to test aspects of quantum entanglement. The unique properties of metastable helium will provide significant new knowledge of this fundamental quantum property. Expected outcomes include measuring a Bell test between mass entangled atoms and testing the weak equivalence principle (the universality of free fall) using a quantum entangled state as the test masses. This s ....Quantum non-locality with mass-entangled metastable helium atoms atoms. The aim of this project is to use ultracold helium atoms to test aspects of quantum entanglement. The unique properties of metastable helium will provide significant new knowledge of this fundamental quantum property. Expected outcomes include measuring a Bell test between mass entangled atoms and testing the weak equivalence principle (the universality of free fall) using a quantum entangled state as the test masses. This should provide benefits including input into new theories that attempt to unify quantum mechanics with general relativity and will be relevant for emerging quantum technologies such as more powerful quantum computing or quantum simulation of complex systems.Read moreRead less
Many body correlations in a Bose Fermi gas. This project aims to create a degenerate Fermi gas of metastable helium atoms to study some basic properties of elementary quantum systems. The unique properties of helium provide access to observe many-body correlation functions. Expected outcomes are a new demonstration of the Pauli exclusion principle, where no two Fermions can be in the same location, and revealing the fundamental correlations that underlie many-body quantum systems. Correlations b ....Many body correlations in a Bose Fermi gas. This project aims to create a degenerate Fermi gas of metastable helium atoms to study some basic properties of elementary quantum systems. The unique properties of helium provide access to observe many-body correlation functions. Expected outcomes are a new demonstration of the Pauli exclusion principle, where no two Fermions can be in the same location, and revealing the fundamental correlations that underlie many-body quantum systems. Correlations between Fermions underpin many effects in physics, such as high temperature superconductivity and quantum magnetism. This knowledge will have an influence on the development of new quantum technologies, such as quantum computers.Read moreRead less
Resonator-enhanced quantum levitation of macroscopic systems. This project aims to develop advanced technologies to optically levitate macroscopic (millimetre-sized) objects and nanoscopic (atomically thin) materials. Levitation platforms built by the investigatory team are based on the resonantly amplified radiation pressure of laser beams. This new type of optical levitation can provide ultimate isolation of the systems from external noise, making them extremely responsive to subtle environmen ....Resonator-enhanced quantum levitation of macroscopic systems. This project aims to develop advanced technologies to optically levitate macroscopic (millimetre-sized) objects and nanoscopic (atomically thin) materials. Levitation platforms built by the investigatory team are based on the resonantly amplified radiation pressure of laser beams. This new type of optical levitation can provide ultimate isolation of the systems from external noise, making them extremely responsive to subtle environmental changes. These platforms could be turned into sharp instruments for measuring metrological variables of interest and probing new physics. Quantum optical techniques could be developed to optimise the sensitivity of levitated systems to levels that allow the exploration of quantum and gravitational physics.Read moreRead less
Quantum tunnelling of composite systems. This project aims to investigate profound physics problem of quantum tunnelling of composite systems such as atoms, molecules and atomic nuclei. Using new theoretical concepts and tools to describe low-energy fusion between atomic nuclei, this project is expected to generate new knowledge and improve understanding of nuclear reactions, the formation of elements in the cosmos, and underpin future nuclear technologies. The project aims to leverage Australia ....Quantum tunnelling of composite systems. This project aims to investigate profound physics problem of quantum tunnelling of composite systems such as atoms, molecules and atomic nuclei. Using new theoretical concepts and tools to describe low-energy fusion between atomic nuclei, this project is expected to generate new knowledge and improve understanding of nuclear reactions, the formation of elements in the cosmos, and underpin future nuclear technologies. The project aims to leverage Australian capacity in quantum and nuclear theory to produce the first predictive model of quantum tunnelling with a modern microscopic treatment of nuclear dynamics. It will provide new theoretical guidance to experimental programs with exotic beams and focussing on nucleosynthesis.Read moreRead less
Cold positron interactions with ultracold rubidium atoms. Antiparticles and antimatter have progressed from theory and science fiction to become an important and exciting area of pure and applied science. This fundamental atomic physics project aims to further study how antimatter and matter interact by providing the first comprehensive experimental results for the interaction of positrons (the electron anti-particle) with trapped rubidium atoms in an innovative combination of two cutting-edge ....Cold positron interactions with ultracold rubidium atoms. Antiparticles and antimatter have progressed from theory and science fiction to become an important and exciting area of pure and applied science. This fundamental atomic physics project aims to further study how antimatter and matter interact by providing the first comprehensive experimental results for the interaction of positrons (the electron anti-particle) with trapped rubidium atoms in an innovative combination of two cutting-edge atomic physics techniques. It aims to provide measurements of many fundamental interaction quantities and for collisions between matter and antimatter. This will look to test the latest quantum theoretical approaches and further our understanding of the uses of antimatter in medical and materials science.Read moreRead less
Atomic sensors for dark matter, rotation and magnetic fields. This project aims to develop ultra-high-performance sensors. The research will explore new methods for using the magnetic and optical properties of atomic gases to enable multi-parameter sensing without crosstalk between measurements. It is expected that techniques will be developed to allow simultaneous sensing of rotation and magnetic fields using devices that are compact, ultra-precise and energy efficient. It is also anticipated t ....Atomic sensors for dark matter, rotation and magnetic fields. This project aims to develop ultra-high-performance sensors. The research will explore new methods for using the magnetic and optical properties of atomic gases to enable multi-parameter sensing without crosstalk between measurements. It is expected that techniques will be developed to allow simultaneous sensing of rotation and magnetic fields using devices that are compact, ultra-precise and energy efficient. It is also anticipated that these new atomic sensors will support a global network looking for dark matter, which although never seen, is thought to make up 85% of the mass of the universe. The outcomes are expected to benefit medical science, geo-exploration, high-tech manufacturing, navigation and our understanding of the universe.Read moreRead less
Creating high flux degenerate quantum atomic sources with active feedback. This project aims to deliver a new technique for cooling dilute ultracold gases, which are rapidly transitioning from a fundamental physics platform to a building block for quantum technology. This technique is measurement-based feedback cooling. Unlike the current evaporative methods, feedback cooling neither loses atoms, nor relies on elastic collisions or internal atomic structure. This opens up the possibility of dire ....Creating high flux degenerate quantum atomic sources with active feedback. This project aims to deliver a new technique for cooling dilute ultracold gases, which are rapidly transitioning from a fundamental physics platform to a building block for quantum technology. This technique is measurement-based feedback cooling. Unlike the current evaporative methods, feedback cooling neither loses atoms, nor relies on elastic collisions or internal atomic structure. This opens up the possibility of directly cooling traditionally un-coolable systems. This project will expand the quality and range of available atomic sources, benefitting research into exotic materials, and improving precision sensor applications. Quantum sensors are rapidly reforming our image of what a sensor is and what it can do, offering unprecedented opportunities in sensor fusion, and directly impacting business opportunities in mineral exploration, mapping and navigation.Read moreRead less
New approaches and applications of integrable quantum field theory. This project aims to develop new mathematical approaches to the theory of integrable systems to obtain exact solutions of various non-linear models of two-dimensional quantum field theory. The project is based on an unexpected correspondence between classical and quantum systems which provides a powerful method for describing physically interesting models of integrable quantum field theory. Expected outcomes include exact soluti ....New approaches and applications of integrable quantum field theory. This project aims to develop new mathematical approaches to the theory of integrable systems to obtain exact solutions of various non-linear models of two-dimensional quantum field theory. The project is based on an unexpected correspondence between classical and quantum systems which provides a powerful method for describing physically interesting models of integrable quantum field theory. Expected outcomes include exact solutions to non-linear sigma-models which have important applications in many areas, including condensed matter physics, string and field theories and Riemannian geometry. The project expects to provide significant benefit to the advancement of knowledge in physics and mathematics.Read moreRead less
Quantum thermalisation: a new framework for nuclear collisions. This project aims to quantify and model the processes that lead to quantum thermalisation in nuclear collisions. Thermalisation is critical to the synthesis of new superheavy elements, production of medical isotopes, and creation of heavy elements in the cosmos. Yet quantum thermalisation in nuclear systems is not understood, causing models to be wrong by up to a factor of 100. This project will determine the routes to thermalisatio ....Quantum thermalisation: a new framework for nuclear collisions. This project aims to quantify and model the processes that lead to quantum thermalisation in nuclear collisions. Thermalisation is critical to the synthesis of new superheavy elements, production of medical isotopes, and creation of heavy elements in the cosmos. Yet quantum thermalisation in nuclear systems is not understood, causing models to be wrong by up to a factor of 100. This project will determine the routes to thermalisation in nuclear systems by combining the latest concepts in many body quantum physics with enhancements to Australia’s precision measurement capabilities. The project will enable new fundamental tests of quantum mechanics and benefit broader applications of nuclear collisions.Read moreRead less