Foundations of the nuclear force, nuclear structure and dynamics. This project aims to investigate a profound problem in physics: the structure and interactions of atomic nuclei in terms of their microscopic constituents. It is expected to generate new knowledge and improve our understanding of the structure and dynamics of nuclei, their formation in the cosmos, neutron star properties, and underpin future nuclear technologies. The project aims to leverage Australian capacity in nuclear theory t ....Foundations of the nuclear force, nuclear structure and dynamics. This project aims to investigate a profound problem in physics: the structure and interactions of atomic nuclei in terms of their microscopic constituents. It is expected to generate new knowledge and improve our understanding of the structure and dynamics of nuclei, their formation in the cosmos, neutron star properties, and underpin future nuclear technologies. The project aims to leverage Australian capacity in nuclear theory to produce the first predictive model with a modern realistic nuclear interaction. Significant benefits include an enhancement of research training capacity and new international links with the world's major laboratories. Read moreRead less
Levitated Quantum Optomechanics with Trapped, Rotating Microparticles. This project will develop techniques for trapping, rotating and cooling microscopic particles in vacuum for exquisitely accurate studies of sensors and of fundamental physics at the classical-quantum interface - namely quantum vacuum friction. It will result in the establishment of an internationally recognised activity in rotational levitated optomechanics and expand Australia's presence in the field of quantum photonics. It ....Levitated Quantum Optomechanics with Trapped, Rotating Microparticles. This project will develop techniques for trapping, rotating and cooling microscopic particles in vacuum for exquisitely accurate studies of sensors and of fundamental physics at the classical-quantum interface - namely quantum vacuum friction. It will result in the establishment of an internationally recognised activity in rotational levitated optomechanics and expand Australia's presence in the field of quantum photonics. It has the potential for commercial benefit in areas including photonics, sensors and advanced manufacturingRead 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
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
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
Unravelling the neutron lifetime puzzle with lattice quantum chromodynamics. This project will perform supercomputer simulations to confront one of the outstanding puzzles of nuclear and particle physics, the neutron lifetime. New knowledge will be generated through the development of novel theoretical and numerical techniques to increase the precision of the leading theoretical inputs required to predict the neutron lifetime. The outcomes will provide crucial theoretical guidance into understan ....Unravelling the neutron lifetime puzzle with lattice quantum chromodynamics. This project will perform supercomputer simulations to confront one of the outstanding puzzles of nuclear and particle physics, the neutron lifetime. New knowledge will be generated through the development of novel theoretical and numerical techniques to increase the precision of the leading theoretical inputs required to predict the neutron lifetime. The outcomes will provide crucial theoretical guidance into understanding the neutron; helping to guide the next-generation neutron experiments, from particle physics to applications in advanced materials science. The results will have immediate benefit by resolving the neutron lifetime puzzle, while enabling Australian scientists to take a leadership role in this area of fundamental science.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
Excitation spectra of quantum chromodynamics. Just as quantum electrodynamics describes the quantum mechanical excitation spectra of atomic systems, quantum chromodynamics (QCD) describes the excitation spectra of quark and gluon systems, such as the proton. This project will resolve the interactions underpinning the excitations of QCD, as being investigated at international facilities.
Elucidating the role of quantum electrodynamics in hadron properties. This project will explore the fundamental mechanisms of nature making the neutron heavier than the proton; governing which nuclei are stable; and determining the current state of the Universe. Drawing on substantial supercomputing resources made available through international collaboration, this project will perform the first ab-initio simulation combining the quantum field theories governing elementary quarks, gluons, electr ....Elucidating the role of quantum electrodynamics in hadron properties. This project will explore the fundamental mechanisms of nature making the neutron heavier than the proton; governing which nuclei are stable; and determining the current state of the Universe. Drawing on substantial supercomputing resources made available through international collaboration, this project will perform the first ab-initio simulation combining the quantum field theories governing elementary quarks, gluons, electrons and photons; namely quantum chromodynamics and quantum electrodynamics. This project will develop novel theoretical and numerical techniques to confront the otherwise elusive electromagnetic contributions to hadronic properties and in doing so, address a wide range of important aspects of hadron structure and interactions.Read moreRead less
Structure of Hadronic Excitations from Lattice Quantum Chromodynamics. Quantum chromodynamics describes the fundamental strong interactions between quarks and gluons as they compose hadrons such as the proton or neutron. Beyond these lowest-energy systems, the quantum mechanical excitation spectra display a rich and complex structure. Remarkably, little is known about the internal structure of these states. The central goal of this project is to unveil the nature of hadrons and their excited sta ....Structure of Hadronic Excitations from Lattice Quantum Chromodynamics. Quantum chromodynamics describes the fundamental strong interactions between quarks and gluons as they compose hadrons such as the proton or neutron. Beyond these lowest-energy systems, the quantum mechanical excitation spectra display a rich and complex structure. Remarkably, little is known about the internal structure of these states. The central goal of this project is to unveil the nature of hadrons and their excited states using the first principles approach of lattice gauge theory. By elucidating aspects of hadron structure in terms of the most fundamental non-perturbative quark and gluon fields, the project will create new knowledge impacting on renowned experimental programs at international facilities.Read moreRead less