Structural transitions in turbulent fluids and plasma through self-organization. Studies into structural transitions in turbulent systems will greatly benefit Australia through its contributions to the science of complex systems, in the areas of self-organization and turbulence control. Applications range from understanding the formation of the Earth's atmospheric spectrum to generation of transport barriers in magnetically confined plasma, as well as development of novel methods of turbulence c ....Structural transitions in turbulent fluids and plasma through self-organization. Studies into structural transitions in turbulent systems will greatly benefit Australia through its contributions to the science of complex systems, in the areas of self-organization and turbulence control. Applications range from understanding the formation of the Earth's atmospheric spectrum to generation of transport barriers in magnetically confined plasma, as well as development of novel methods of turbulence control in engineering. Recent discoveries by the authors open a window of opportunity for a breakthrough in this fundamental field of modern science. The project is based on several national and international collaborations. Australian postgraduate and research training is an integral part of the project.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560872
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$142,138.00
Summary
The Buckland Park Lidar Facility. This project will develop a laser radar (lidar) facility to operate as a test bed for studies in atmospheric physics, space physics, optics and astronomy.
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
Ground based monitoring of plasma dynamics in the magnetosphere. We will use a new technique to study the plasmapause, a fundamental and highly dynamic boundary in geospace. This is usually examined using spacecraft and ground-based VLF measurements, but these suffer several limitations. We have developed the ability to monitor plasma density in geospace, by measuring the resonant frequency of geomagnetic field line oscillations. This project will use data from extensive ground magnetometer a ....Ground based monitoring of plasma dynamics in the magnetosphere. We will use a new technique to study the plasmapause, a fundamental and highly dynamic boundary in geospace. This is usually examined using spacecraft and ground-based VLF measurements, but these suffer several limitations. We have developed the ability to monitor plasma density in geospace, by measuring the resonant frequency of geomagnetic field line oscillations. This project will use data from extensive ground magnetometer arrays to thus study the spatial and temporal variation in particle density near the plasmapause. Comparison with VLF and spacecraft measurements will provide new information on the plasma composition and dynamics in this important region.Read moreRead less
Coherent LIDAR for Monitoring Air Pollution and Atmospheric Wind-fields. Industry, government and civil defence urgently require compact, field deployable sensors that can measure winds and monitor pollution in the atmospheric boundary layer. Without these sensors they are unable to measure and make informed decisions about windborne dispersion of industrial emissions, environmental pollutants, and chemical/biological toxins under operational conditions. The project will develop eye-safe cohere ....Coherent LIDAR for Monitoring Air Pollution and Atmospheric Wind-fields. Industry, government and civil defence urgently require compact, field deployable sensors that can measure winds and monitor pollution in the atmospheric boundary layer. Without these sensors they are unable to measure and make informed decisions about windborne dispersion of industrial emissions, environmental pollutants, and chemical/biological toxins under operational conditions. The project will develop eye-safe coherent lidar (light detection and ranging) systems that can measure wind velocities at ranges of up to 10 km with an accuracy of about 1 m/s, and can be deployed to field sites as required. The technology will be of major interest to the commercial sector.Read moreRead less
The aeronomy of the atmosphere between 50 and 110 km. Signals of climate change in the 50 to 110 km height region of the atmosphere are becoming more evident. This region shields the surface from extreme UV radiation and so understanding any changes in the region is important for life. We will improve our understanding of the region and look for additional evidence of changes. We will also contribute to improvements in numerical weather prediction models.
The Response of the Middle Atmosphere to Solar and Dynamical Forcing. The region of the atmosphere and ionosphere between 50 and 100 km is difficult to measure directly. We will use a unique array of instruments deployed across Australia to study how this region responds to waves generated in the lower atmosphere and to changes in electromagnetic energy from the sun and particle precipitation from the magnetosphere. Outcomes will help our understanding of how the region is responding to rising l ....The Response of the Middle Atmosphere to Solar and Dynamical Forcing. The region of the atmosphere and ionosphere between 50 and 100 km is difficult to measure directly. We will use a unique array of instruments deployed across Australia to study how this region responds to waves generated in the lower atmosphere and to changes in electromagnetic energy from the sun and particle precipitation from the magnetosphere. Outcomes will help our understanding of how the region is responding to rising levels of greenhouse gas concentrations. Cooling effects are already apparent and our research will look for additional evidence of change.Read moreRead less
Understanding the chemistry and evolution of planets and their atmospheres: Integrating experiments, observations, and quantum mechanical models. Ongoing changes in the Earth's atmosphere, demonstrate the need to understand photochemical processes and their role in atmospheric evolution. The proposed research will increase our understanding of the evolution of planetary atmospheres, with concomitant insight into the Earth's evolution. This proposal will greatly enhance the visibility of Australi ....Understanding the chemistry and evolution of planets and their atmospheres: Integrating experiments, observations, and quantum mechanical models. Ongoing changes in the Earth's atmosphere, demonstrate the need to understand photochemical processes and their role in atmospheric evolution. The proposed research will increase our understanding of the evolution of planetary atmospheres, with concomitant insight into the Earth's evolution. This proposal will greatly enhance the visibility of Australian research, through formal, direct connections to NASA and ESA (European Space Agency) planetary exploration missions, along with publications in Nature, Science, and/or PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) that will likely result from the high-profile problems to be studied. Furthermore, as a result of this collaboration, Australian students and postdoctoral researchers will benefit from interactions with top international scientists.Read moreRead less
Centre for Mathematical and Statistical Modelling of Complex Systems. This Centre, formed by a group of high-profile researchers, brings expertise from linked but hitherto disparate areas together. It will place Australia at the forefront of research into complex systems.
The mission of the Centre is to stimulate research in mathematical and statistical modelling of complex systems and to encourage cross-fertilisation of ideas and techniques. The specific objectives are
- to formulate and ana ....Centre for Mathematical and Statistical Modelling of Complex Systems. This Centre, formed by a group of high-profile researchers, brings expertise from linked but hitherto disparate areas together. It will place Australia at the forefront of research into complex systems.
The mission of the Centre is to stimulate research in mathematical and statistical modelling of complex systems and to encourage cross-fertilisation of ideas and techniques. The specific objectives are
- to formulate and analyse mathematical and statistical models for natural and artificial complex systems,
- to use these models to develop an understanding of the behaviour of these systems
- to incorporate this understanding into strategies for management and control.Read moreRead less
Reaction transition states of halide-cluster complexes via velocity-map imaging of photoelectrons. This study will investigate the transition point between the reactants and products of a chemical reaction using a novel photoelectron imaging technique, velocity-map imaging. It is this region of chemical reactions that is the least understood. By combining the use of weakly bound negatively charged clusters and laser photodetachment of these clusters, information can be gleaned about these transi ....Reaction transition states of halide-cluster complexes via velocity-map imaging of photoelectrons. This study will investigate the transition point between the reactants and products of a chemical reaction using a novel photoelectron imaging technique, velocity-map imaging. It is this region of chemical reactions that is the least understood. By combining the use of weakly bound negatively charged clusters and laser photodetachment of these clusters, information can be gleaned about these transition states. The technique will be applied to an important class of halide-cluster complexes that form a set of prototypical reactions. These species also play important roles ranging from ozone depletion through to industrial chemistry.Read moreRead less