Asymmetric InP-based structures for high power laser diodes at 1400-1500 nm for pumping optical amplifiers used in communication systems. This project is aimed at obtaining high power, single mode 1400-1500 nm wavelength laser diodes using a novel design of asymmetric InP-based structures. These devices are in great demand for pumping of erbium-doped and Raman amplifiers for powering the next generation of dense wavelength division multiplexing optical networks. The low modal gain (confinement f ....Asymmetric InP-based structures for high power laser diodes at 1400-1500 nm for pumping optical amplifiers used in communication systems. This project is aimed at obtaining high power, single mode 1400-1500 nm wavelength laser diodes using a novel design of asymmetric InP-based structures. These devices are in great demand for pumping of erbium-doped and Raman amplifiers for powering the next generation of dense wavelength division multiplexing optical networks. The low modal gain (confinement factor) of this asymmetric structure is expected to reduce internal losses and hence increase the output power with better thermal dissipation. Single mode could be obtained by careful design in the trade-off between filamentation and threshold current. Ion implantation is also proposed to suppress higher order modes.Read moreRead less
Interferometry beyond the Standard Quantum Limit. This research aims to realise measurements below the Standard Quantum Limit (SQL) using advanced quantum optic and opto-mechanical techniques. This is of fundamental interest as the SQL is yet to be observed for a macroscopic object. It is also of particular significance to second generation gravitational wave detectors which are expected to be limited by the SQL. This project will develop an opto-mechanical sensor capable of achieving SQL sensit ....Interferometry beyond the Standard Quantum Limit. This research aims to realise measurements below the Standard Quantum Limit (SQL) using advanced quantum optic and opto-mechanical techniques. This is of fundamental interest as the SQL is yet to be observed for a macroscopic object. It is also of particular significance to second generation gravitational wave detectors which are expected to be limited by the SQL. This project will develop an opto-mechanical sensor capable of achieving SQL sensitivity as well as develop and test techniques to surpass the SQL. These techniques will be directly applicable to long base-line gravitational wave detectors.Read moreRead less
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
Coherent Laser Levitation for Precision Sensing and Enabling Science. When light collides with matter, it may exert a force called radiation pressure. This project aims to use radiation pressure to levitate a small mirror. Using a tripod of laser beams, it is possible to levitate and trap the mirror in a stable position. Radiation pressure has been used before to levitate, but previous work has always involved scattering light from the levitating object. This project proposes the use of a high q ....Coherent Laser Levitation for Precision Sensing and Enabling Science. When light collides with matter, it may exert a force called radiation pressure. This project aims to use radiation pressure to levitate a small mirror. Using a tripod of laser beams, it is possible to levitate and trap the mirror in a stable position. Radiation pressure has been used before to levitate, but previous work has always involved scattering light from the levitating object. This project proposes the use of a high quality mirror, allowing the collection of the reflected light and the accurate measurement and control of the position of the mirror as it floats on the laser beams. Using the unique properties of the floating mirror, it will be possible to search for signatures of quantum gravity and develop tools for ultra-precision metrology.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
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
A high flux continuous atom laser. This project aims to create an unprecedented ultra-cold atom source - a high brightness continuous atom laser. Such a device, the atomic analogue of an optical laser, may find near term application in precision inertial sensing based on atom interferometry. The proposed apparatus will utilise new techniques in cutting edge laser cooling and continuous all-optical wave-guiding to dramatically boost the density, collision rate and flux in a guided system. It is e ....A high flux continuous atom laser. This project aims to create an unprecedented ultra-cold atom source - a high brightness continuous atom laser. Such a device, the atomic analogue of an optical laser, may find near term application in precision inertial sensing based on atom interferometry. The proposed apparatus will utilise new techniques in cutting edge laser cooling and continuous all-optical wave-guiding to dramatically boost the density, collision rate and flux in a guided system. It is expected that the project will allow the study of previously unexplored territory in ultra-cold atom atomic physics.Read moreRead less
Building Schrodinger's cat: large-scale entanglement of trapped ions. Where does the microscopic quantum world leave off and the normal world begin? The project will expand the boundaries of the quantum realm by building the largest quantum objects ever assembled and put them to work in computing and cryptography. These quantum devices will help Australia lead the race for future information technologies.
Quantum spatial modes and their use in imaging, measurement, and communication. Quantum optics has the potential to provide highly accurate physical measurements, and to improve the speed and security of communication. The spatial modes of a light field provide a new and interesting basis for these investigations.
This fellowship proposes to generate spatially correlated quantum light beams, applying them to spatial positioning applications, such as atomic force microscopy, and to quantum ....Quantum spatial modes and their use in imaging, measurement, and communication. Quantum optics has the potential to provide highly accurate physical measurements, and to improve the speed and security of communication. The spatial modes of a light field provide a new and interesting basis for these investigations.
This fellowship proposes to generate spatially correlated quantum light beams, applying them to spatial positioning applications, such as atomic force microscopy, and to quantum communication protocols. I will experimentally develop general techniques to losslessly combine multiple quantum spatial modes, and demonstrate multi-mode quantum correlations in a light beam. I will investigate the potential of this light to cryptography, densecoding, and atomic force microscopy.
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