Mesoscopic quantum reality in the light of new technologies. Evidence for the Schrodinger cat that defies macroscopic reality has emerged for systems of several atoms, ions or photons, resulting in a Nobel award in physics in 2012. However, developments in quantum science technology make these states experimentally accessible at an increasingly mesoscopic level. This project will develop a theory to test mesoscopic realism, nonlocality and decoherence in experiment, focusing on cold atom and ion ....Mesoscopic quantum reality in the light of new technologies. Evidence for the Schrodinger cat that defies macroscopic reality has emerged for systems of several atoms, ions or photons, resulting in a Nobel award in physics in 2012. However, developments in quantum science technology make these states experimentally accessible at an increasingly mesoscopic level. This project will develop a theory to test mesoscopic realism, nonlocality and decoherence in experiment, focusing on cold atom and ion trap systems. This project will study multipartite nonlocality based on Bell's theorem, the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox and Schrodinger's quantum steering. As well as having fundamental significance, these demonstrations are potentially useful for metrology, secure quantum cryptography and ultra-sensitive detectors.Read moreRead less
A quantum bus for large-scale diamond quantum computers. This project aims to experimentally demonstrate a device needed to bus quantum information between defect clusters in large scale quantum computers. Quantum computers could transcend limits of today’s ‘classical’ computers. Diamond is a proven platform for small-scale quantum computing and simple quantum algorithms have already been demonstrated using small clusters of diamond defects. To build a large-scale quantum computer that can reali ....A quantum bus for large-scale diamond quantum computers. This project aims to experimentally demonstrate a device needed to bus quantum information between defect clusters in large scale quantum computers. Quantum computers could transcend limits of today’s ‘classical’ computers. Diamond is a proven platform for small-scale quantum computing and simple quantum algorithms have already been demonstrated using small clusters of diamond defects. To build a large-scale quantum computer that can realise the potential of quantum computing, a device must be invented to bus quantum information between defect clusters. This project will experimentally demonstrate physical mechanisms that were theoretically identified for the operation of such a device. This is expected to make a quantum bus for large-scale diamond quantum computers possible.Read moreRead less
Mechanical control of defect spins in diamond and its applications in quantum technology. This project will demonstrate the mechanical control of optically addressable defect spins in diamond in order to rapidly exploit innovative approaches to quantum technologies, including high sensitivity metrology and information processing. This will be achieved by capitalising on the proven quantum applications of the nitrogen-vacancy defect centre in diamond and the performance of both fundamental inquir ....Mechanical control of defect spins in diamond and its applications in quantum technology. This project will demonstrate the mechanical control of optically addressable defect spins in diamond in order to rapidly exploit innovative approaches to quantum technologies, including high sensitivity metrology and information processing. This will be achieved by capitalising on the proven quantum applications of the nitrogen-vacancy defect centre in diamond and the performance of both fundamental inquiry into the effects of mechanical stress on this centre and the design, fabrication and operation of simple nano-mechanical devices. Read moreRead less
Applications and tests of mesoscopic quantum coherence and entanglement. This project aims to probe the nature of quantum reality at the mesoscopic level. Quantum mechanics predicts strange spooky steering effects. Recent experiments have confirmed such nonlocality between two particles. The project's intended outcome is to provide a theoretical backbone to extend these experiments to larger laboratory- based systems. The objective is theory for experiments enabling spooky action to be quantifie ....Applications and tests of mesoscopic quantum coherence and entanglement. This project aims to probe the nature of quantum reality at the mesoscopic level. Quantum mechanics predicts strange spooky steering effects. Recent experiments have confirmed such nonlocality between two particles. The project's intended outcome is to provide a theoretical backbone to extend these experiments to larger laboratory- based systems. The objective is theory for experiments enabling spooky action to be quantified and quantum paradoxes including the notion of parallel universes to be better understood. Anticipated outcomes are the use of quantum nonlocality to provide secure communication and ultra-sensitive measurement capabilities.Read moreRead less
Outmaneuvering correlated noise in quantum computers. The project aims to characterise and control quantum machines available today. These machines overwhelmingly suffer from noise with complex structures. Thus, a key target of the project is to develop a theory to describe and manipulate complex quantum processes. The project then intends to apply this theory to commercial-grade quantum computers. This approach is anticipated to lead to a new understanding of time-correlated complex quantum pro ....Outmaneuvering correlated noise in quantum computers. The project aims to characterise and control quantum machines available today. These machines overwhelmingly suffer from noise with complex structures. Thus, a key target of the project is to develop a theory to describe and manipulate complex quantum processes. The project then intends to apply this theory to commercial-grade quantum computers. This approach is anticipated to lead to a new understanding of time-correlated complex quantum processes and develop methods to enhance the performance of today's quantum computers. Noise characterisation and mitigation should have commercial value and benefit research groups working to develop quantum technologies, both in Australia and internationally.Read moreRead less
Quantum measurement as a resource. Advanced quantum computers will use modular measurements significantly enhancing their capabilities. However, due to the noisy environment, the measurements may have nontrivial effects on the computation. Making best use of realistic (hence imperfect) measurements is a challenging problem that hinders the development of these technologies. This project, using modern tools of resource theory, aims to design optimal realistic measurement procedures for near-term ....Quantum measurement as a resource. Advanced quantum computers will use modular measurements significantly enhancing their capabilities. However, due to the noisy environment, the measurements may have nontrivial effects on the computation. Making best use of realistic (hence imperfect) measurements is a challenging problem that hinders the development of these technologies. This project, using modern tools of resource theory, aims to design optimal realistic measurement procedures for near-term noisy quantum devices. The expected outcomes of the project are refined methods to optimise quantum measurements in today's rudimentary quantum machines. This will provide a significant benefit to the Australian community, advancing the development of disruptive quantum technologies.Read moreRead less
Interacting quantum systems: from solid-state theory to practical photonic platforms. Quantum information science is poised to revolutionise twenty-first century society by harnessing all of the laws of quantum physics to design new technologies. The project will explore new photonic platforms that will help us design the quantum components required for practical quantum devices.
Simulation of exponentially complex quantum technologies. This project aims to develop computational tools to study exponentially complex many-body systems, and use them to model novel quantum technologies. Physics has a deep and broad impact on our modern lives, via computing, the internet, mobile telephones, GPS, space travel and medical technologies. This project will demonstrate the potential of quantum devices, with significance and impact both inside and outside physics. The project will s ....Simulation of exponentially complex quantum technologies. This project aims to develop computational tools to study exponentially complex many-body systems, and use them to model novel quantum technologies. Physics has a deep and broad impact on our modern lives, via computing, the internet, mobile telephones, GPS, space travel and medical technologies. This project will demonstrate the potential of quantum devices, with significance and impact both inside and outside physics. The project will simulate quantum systems ranging from quantum circuits for early universe simulation to boson sampling devices using Bose-Einstein condensates and plasmonic systems. Through modelling recent advances, and proposing robust, ultra-sensitive interferometers as one application, the project expects to enhance capability and understanding of quantum science.Read moreRead less
Gravity and quantum-limited measurements with a fundamental minimum length. This project aims to investigate the effects of a fundamental minimum length on the nature of gravity and on how accurately we can make measurements in our world. The key challenge is to combine our best theories of fundamental physics to model what happens at ultra-short distances. This project will generate new knowledge at this interface by using a novel approach inspired by information theory. The expected outcomes a ....Gravity and quantum-limited measurements with a fundamental minimum length. This project aims to investigate the effects of a fundamental minimum length on the nature of gravity and on how accurately we can make measurements in our world. The key challenge is to combine our best theories of fundamental physics to model what happens at ultra-short distances. This project will generate new knowledge at this interface by using a novel approach inspired by information theory. The expected outcomes are new connections between fundamental limitations on measurements, the nature of gravitation, and ultra-small-scale quantum physics. The benefit of this work is breaking the logjam in answering the most important open question in all of physics: how to unite quantum theory and gravitation.Read moreRead less
If a spin could torque: quantum force sensing with levitated nanodiamonds. This project aims to detect the tiny twisting forces imparted by a single quantum spin on a host diamond nanocrystal levitating in vacuum. Our team will build both a hypersensitive detector of quantum rotations and the complex theoretical models for quantum spin systems coupled to the mechanical motion of nanometre-sized diamonds. The expected experimental capabilities and knowledge generated by this project will enable w ....If a spin could torque: quantum force sensing with levitated nanodiamonds. This project aims to detect the tiny twisting forces imparted by a single quantum spin on a host diamond nanocrystal levitating in vacuum. Our team will build both a hypersensitive detector of quantum rotations and the complex theoretical models for quantum spin systems coupled to the mechanical motion of nanometre-sized diamonds. The expected experimental capabilities and knowledge generated by this project will enable world-first measurements of quantum effects with unparalleled sensitivity and powerful new quantum sensing paradigms. The project should enable significant benefits, such as incisive tests of the limits of quantum theory and new Australian technology operating at the interface of the quantum and classical worlds.Read moreRead less