Quantum Nanostructure Positioning for Breakthrough Quantum Photonics. The integration of quantum nanostructures in optical devices has been proposed to improve the efficiencies of existing optical devices and create new classes of quantum photonics. Limiting progress is that many nanostructures are made through bottom-up processes with inherently randomly distributions, making integration into devices problematic. Lithographic nanostructure fabrication is rarely an option as it leads to diminish ....Quantum Nanostructure Positioning for Breakthrough Quantum Photonics. The integration of quantum nanostructures in optical devices has been proposed to improve the efficiencies of existing optical devices and create new classes of quantum photonics. Limiting progress is that many nanostructures are made through bottom-up processes with inherently randomly distributions, making integration into devices problematic. Lithographic nanostructure fabrication is rarely an option as it leads to diminishes performance. Here, we propose a new and unique nanostructure positioning technique incorporated directly into the growth process. It interfaces bottom-up technologies with device fabrication, facilitating incorporation of nanostructures in photonic devices, and may be transferrable to a variety of other systems.Read moreRead less
Laser emission at the limit of glass transparency using nanocrystal doping . We will create a new composite glass providing strong fluorescence which fully exploits the high transmission of glass in the mid-infrared. When combined with emerging rare earth ion transitions and precise excitation processes, this project will help solve an important problem in optics; that the overall efficiency and power produced from deep mid-infrared light sources is not sufficient for all industries. The primary ....Laser emission at the limit of glass transparency using nanocrystal doping . We will create a new composite glass providing strong fluorescence which fully exploits the high transmission of glass in the mid-infrared. When combined with emerging rare earth ion transitions and precise excitation processes, this project will help solve an important problem in optics; that the overall efficiency and power produced from deep mid-infrared light sources is not sufficient for all industries. The primary outcome will be a series of robust fibre-based gain modules suitable for high power and very short optical pulses in the mid-infrared. These light sources will beneficially impact medicine, defence, sensing and manufacturing providing excellent opportunities for increasing Australian productivity and global competitiveness. 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
Network Management in a World of Secrets. The aim of this proposal is to provide world leading measurement and management techniques for the Internet and other telecommunications networks. In particular, the methods will improve privacy of network participants (customers and providers) while simultaneously improving network performance. Additionally, the project will create expertise in an area of great future interest -- privacy preserving computation -- expertise that can be transferred to stu ....Network Management in a World of Secrets. The aim of this proposal is to provide world leading measurement and management techniques for the Internet and other telecommunications networks. In particular, the methods will improve privacy of network participants (customers and providers) while simultaneously improving network performance. Additionally, the project will create expertise in an area of great future interest -- privacy preserving computation -- expertise that can be transferred to students and the next generation of innovators.
Apart from these benefits, the research will provide exposure of Australian research strength in an area of world-wide public interest. Results concerning Internet reliability are of particularly high impact. Read moreRead less
Markov Field Theory applied to Sensor Networks Analysis and Design. Ad hoc and sensor networks have a wide range of applications in defence, emergency services and agriculture because they do not require telecommunications infrastructure such as base stations or access points, hence are relatively easy to deploy in harsh environments. This project aims at improving the theoretical understanding of sensor and ad hoc networks, which enable improvements in performance in such networks. Australian d ....Markov Field Theory applied to Sensor Networks Analysis and Design. Ad hoc and sensor networks have a wide range of applications in defence, emergency services and agriculture because they do not require telecommunications infrastructure such as base stations or access points, hence are relatively easy to deploy in harsh environments. This project aims at improving the theoretical understanding of sensor and ad hoc networks, which enable improvements in performance in such networks. Australian defence industry and emergency services will benefit from this research by gaining access to improved ad hoc communications networks. The agricultural sector will also benefit from the improved sensor networks in applications such as monitoring soil conditions, stock and crop levels. Read moreRead less
Dynamic phased array antennas for terahertz detection and ranging. The project aims to create reciprocal electrically-tuneable phased array antennas for terahertz waves. The antennas will comprise varactor diodes, analogue phase shifters, and dielectric resonator arrays to rapidly transmit and receive beams with high directivity and performance. The intended outcome is an integrated platform for short-range terahertz detection and ranging. This platform could be used in personal radar and drone- ....Dynamic phased array antennas for terahertz detection and ranging. The project aims to create reciprocal electrically-tuneable phased array antennas for terahertz waves. The antennas will comprise varactor diodes, analogue phase shifters, and dielectric resonator arrays to rapidly transmit and receive beams with high directivity and performance. The intended outcome is an integrated platform for short-range terahertz detection and ranging. This platform could be used in personal radar and drone-based radar, and high-contrast standoff detection. The project could benefit public security and welfare.Read 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
Applications of generalised geometry to duality in quantum theory. This project will undertake research into mathematics at the forefront of modern physics. The aim of the project is to develop a mathematical theory of T-duality, a phenomenon in quantum physics, using generalised geometry.
Raising the Internet's Quality of Service through improved congestion management. This project aims to develop methods for improving the service quality of the internet by better management of congestion. Improved service quality will be evident to internet users in the form of reduced delay and data loss. The proposed research is significant because as well as improving service quality, it will facilitate delivery of internet services over poor quality communications infrastructure such as is p ....Raising the Internet's Quality of Service through improved congestion management. This project aims to develop methods for improving the service quality of the internet by better management of congestion. Improved service quality will be evident to internet users in the form of reduced delay and data loss. The proposed research is significant because as well as improving service quality, it will facilitate delivery of internet services over poor quality communications infrastructure such as is present in many remote and regional areas of Australia. It also will result in more efficient utilisation of telecommunications infrastructure. The project will deliver implementations in the form of software which is easily installed in any computer.Read moreRead less
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