Controlling quantum technologies. Australia is a leader in quantum technology - from molecular machines to quantum computers, amazing advances are being made possible as we harness the laws of quantum physics. Our project will enhance the nation's profile in this discipline by developing some of the ground rules for measuring and controlling the operation of quantum devices. This foundational work will put Australian theoretical and experimental researchers at the forefront of this new field, an ....Controlling quantum technologies. Australia is a leader in quantum technology - from molecular machines to quantum computers, amazing advances are being made possible as we harness the laws of quantum physics. Our project will enhance the nation's profile in this discipline by developing some of the ground rules for measuring and controlling the operation of quantum devices. This foundational work will put Australian theoretical and experimental researchers at the forefront of this new field, and there is significant opportunity for development of intellectual property such as patents. Young researchers and postgraduate students will play a substantial role in the project, maximising the training impact for new professionals in cutting-edge science and high technology.Read moreRead less
Compact Tunable Visible Lasers - New Approaches to Phase-Matching. Australia will benefit significantly from this innovation in lasers and especially fibre lasers. Optical fibre devices are a major area of our capability in world-leading research and commercialisation. Through commercialisation we will directly benefit economically in terms of exports and jobs. We will also benefit from commercial exploitation of applications in biomedicine, security and environmental monitoring. Students will b ....Compact Tunable Visible Lasers - New Approaches to Phase-Matching. Australia will benefit significantly from this innovation in lasers and especially fibre lasers. Optical fibre devices are a major area of our capability in world-leading research and commercialisation. Through commercialisation we will directly benefit economically in terms of exports and jobs. We will also benefit from commercial exploitation of applications in biomedicine, security and environmental monitoring. Students will be trained in an area important for Australian research and high technology industry. Australia's position as a world-leader in optics and photonics will be strengthened .Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775637
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,000.00
Summary
An Australian Attosecond Science Facility. The laser facility requested here will provide Australian researchers with the ability to take snapshots of physical and biological processes at unprecedented time resolution. Such a facility will enable Australian researchers to remain competitive and continue to contribute significantly to scientific research on an international scale. The facility will provide excellent training for research higher degree students, preparing them for work in high-tec ....An Australian Attosecond Science Facility. The laser facility requested here will provide Australian researchers with the ability to take snapshots of physical and biological processes at unprecedented time resolution. Such a facility will enable Australian researchers to remain competitive and continue to contribute significantly to scientific research on an international scale. The facility will provide excellent training for research higher degree students, preparing them for work in high-tech industries based on cutting-edge discoveries in physics and biology.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0221428
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$530,000.00
Summary
A Transportable Optical Frequency Counter, Synthesizer and Super-Continuum Generator (OFCSSG). The generation of ultra-short light pulses of just a few femtoseconds (one thousand-trillionth of a second) in duration has enabled applications in a wide range of fields, but complexity and cost has limited availability. This project will employ recently developed optical fibre and solid-state laser technology to create a cost-effective compact transportable facility of highly coherent, ultra-broadba ....A Transportable Optical Frequency Counter, Synthesizer and Super-Continuum Generator (OFCSSG). The generation of ultra-short light pulses of just a few femtoseconds (one thousand-trillionth of a second) in duration has enabled applications in a wide range of fields, but complexity and cost has limited availability. This project will employ recently developed optical fibre and solid-state laser technology to create a cost-effective compact transportable facility of highly coherent, ultra-broadband radiation. The source will enable new research and substantially enrich existing research in optical time standards and metrology, in-vivo biological imaging, and ultrafast spectroscopy. No such facility is presently available in AustraliaRead moreRead less
Measuring the linewidth enhancement factor and optical feedback level factor of semiconductor lasers based on optical feedback self-mixing interferometry. This project aims to develop a high performance solution for the challenging problem of measuring the linewidth enhancement factor (LEF) of semiconductor lasers (SLs) and the optical feedback level factor, C, for the optical feedback self-mixing (OFSM) systems. Specific outcomes of the research include (1) a new model for an optical feedback ....Measuring the linewidth enhancement factor and optical feedback level factor of semiconductor lasers based on optical feedback self-mixing interferometry. This project aims to develop a high performance solution for the challenging problem of measuring the linewidth enhancement factor (LEF) of semiconductor lasers (SLs) and the optical feedback level factor, C, for the optical feedback self-mixing (OFSM) systems. Specific outcomes of the research include (1) a new model for an optical feedback self-mixing effect, (2) a new approach for measuring LEF and C based on the proposed model, (3) signal processing algorithms for improving the performance of the proposed approach, and (4) an OFSM system prototype based on the new model and algorithms.Read moreRead less
Development of planar patch-clamp electrophysiology to investigate liposome-based artificial nanosensor devices. This project aims to characterise the interaction of transport proteins with unsupported lipid bilayer membranes. This will provide the basis for a novel biosensor utilising mechanosensitive ion channels incorporated into an artificial lipid bilayer membrane. To support this outcome, the project will develop the planar patch-clamp electrophysiology recording techniques suitable for l ....Development of planar patch-clamp electrophysiology to investigate liposome-based artificial nanosensor devices. This project aims to characterise the interaction of transport proteins with unsupported lipid bilayer membranes. This will provide the basis for a novel biosensor utilising mechanosensitive ion channels incorporated into an artificial lipid bilayer membrane. To support this outcome, the project will develop the planar patch-clamp electrophysiology recording techniques suitable for liposomes. This provides a significant PhD training opportunity and brings an international focus to the development of planar patch-clamp electrophysiology in Australia. The project has significant commercial potential by developing both the planar patch-clamp electrophysiology techniques for liposomes and producing a novel biomimetic mechanosensitive biosensor.Read moreRead less
Ultra-sensitivity through resonances in photonic bandgap fibres. The project will develop innovative biochemical sensors with extreme sensitivity using recently discovered physical processes in novel holey optical fibres. These sensors will be able to detect biological molecules, toxins or dangerous chemicals in minute concentrations, in very small sample sizes. The sensors can be mass-produced cheaply with current fabrication facilities within Australia, enabling their widespread use for water ....Ultra-sensitivity through resonances in photonic bandgap fibres. The project will develop innovative biochemical sensors with extreme sensitivity using recently discovered physical processes in novel holey optical fibres. These sensors will be able to detect biological molecules, toxins or dangerous chemicals in minute concentrations, in very small sample sizes. The sensors can be mass-produced cheaply with current fabrication facilities within Australia, enabling their widespread use for water quality monitoring, environmental monitoring, threat detection, and rapid and reliable diagnosis in medicine.Read moreRead less
Direct deep-ultraviolet tunable laser sources generating continuous and ultra-short-pulse radiation for photonics applications. This project will develop two versatile and efficient sources of tunable deep-ultraviolet laser radiation. These sources are an enabling photonics technology that will have impact in the applied fields of precision spectroscopy and flow cytometry for detection of biological agents. The proposed ultrafast laser source will enable new fundamental research probing high-ene ....Direct deep-ultraviolet tunable laser sources generating continuous and ultra-short-pulse radiation for photonics applications. This project will develop two versatile and efficient sources of tunable deep-ultraviolet laser radiation. These sources are an enabling photonics technology that will have impact in the applied fields of precision spectroscopy and flow cytometry for detection of biological agents. The proposed ultrafast laser source will enable new fundamental research probing high-energy processes, such as ultrafast chemical reactions, on the femtosecond timescale.
Training through an APD fellowship in the national priority area of Frontier technologies: photonics will enhance Australia's expertise in this important area. Read moreRead less
Short-pulse laser cleaning for Australian heritage conservation. Conserving heritage objects is a demanding discipline, requiring a suite of techniques for different problems. Overseas, laser cleaning using long pulse techniques leaves microscopic damage as discrete chunks of material are removed, and is unsuitable for many materials. We have developed a short pulse laser process which can remove material molecule-by-molecule in a controlled fashion, and which can be readily halted once the fi ....Short-pulse laser cleaning for Australian heritage conservation. Conserving heritage objects is a demanding discipline, requiring a suite of techniques for different problems. Overseas, laser cleaning using long pulse techniques leaves microscopic damage as discrete chunks of material are removed, and is unsuitable for many materials. We have developed a short pulse laser process which can remove material molecule-by-molecule in a controlled fashion, and which can be readily halted once the final finish is achieved. We will research this technique for application to unique Australian heritage materials that are important to the specific conservation needs of the Australian War Memorial, the RAAF, Navy and Army Museums, Artlab Australia, and the Art Gallery of NSW.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100009
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$455,000.00
Summary
Ultra-precision cutting and polishing machines for fabricating high-Q crystalline resonators. The proposed facility will equip Australian researchers with the capability to machine and polish optical crystalline materials down to atomic-level smoothness. The availability of this technology will enable the fabrication of ultra-sensitive metrological sensors, state-of-the-art photonic components, and quantum devices. Precision metrology is an integral component of many industries and it underpins ....Ultra-precision cutting and polishing machines for fabricating high-Q crystalline resonators. The proposed facility will equip Australian researchers with the capability to machine and polish optical crystalline materials down to atomic-level smoothness. The availability of this technology will enable the fabrication of ultra-sensitive metrological sensors, state-of-the-art photonic components, and quantum devices. Precision metrology is an integral component of many industries and it underpins a modern, technically advanced society. With this facility Australian researchers will lead the world in the fabrication of optical crystalline devices for a broad range of industrial and research applications.Read moreRead less