Modelling quantum dynamics of electronic excited states in complex molecular materials. Understanding new materials that are the basis of new sources of renewable energy sources represents a major scientific challenge. Many of these materials are composed of large organic molecules containing hundreds of atoms. Their properties and the concepts needed to understand these materials are distinctly different from semiconductors such as silicon. This research will enhance our ability to design bett ....Modelling quantum dynamics of electronic excited states in complex molecular materials. Understanding new materials that are the basis of new sources of renewable energy sources represents a major scientific challenge. Many of these materials are composed of large organic molecules containing hundreds of atoms. Their properties and the concepts needed to understand these materials are distinctly different from semiconductors such as silicon. This research will enhance our ability to design better materials and optimize the performance of organic solar cells and LEDs. Australia's capacity for research and development in this scientifically challenging and technologically important field will be enhanced by this project. Read moreRead less
Organic superconductors and frustrated antiferromagnets: from quantum chemistry to quantum many-body theory to experiment. Aims. To obtain an understanding of how quantum physics and the
interactions between electrons determine the unusual properties of
organic superconductors and frustrated antiferromagnets.
Significance. The project brings together investigators who are
each world leaders in their respective areas of expertise.
Expected outcomes. Answers will be obtained to fundamenta ....Organic superconductors and frustrated antiferromagnets: from quantum chemistry to quantum many-body theory to experiment. Aims. To obtain an understanding of how quantum physics and the
interactions between electrons determine the unusual properties of
organic superconductors and frustrated antiferromagnets.
Significance. The project brings together investigators who are
each world leaders in their respective areas of expertise.
Expected outcomes. Answers will be obtained to fundamental questions about how the quantum
properties of individual molecules combine to determine the
macroscopic properties of new states of matter.Read moreRead less
Spin tunnelling transport and quantum effects in magnetic nanostructures. A new field of "spintronics" takes advantage of the spin of electrons and revolutionises electronics leading to quantum devices. By understanding the behaviour of electron spin in materials we can learn new fundamentals in solid-state physics that will lead to a new generation of electronic, optoelectronic and magneto-electronic devices. The aim of this project is to study the spin tunnelling transport and noise, and relat ....Spin tunnelling transport and quantum effects in magnetic nanostructures. A new field of "spintronics" takes advantage of the spin of electrons and revolutionises electronics leading to quantum devices. By understanding the behaviour of electron spin in materials we can learn new fundamentals in solid-state physics that will lead to a new generation of electronic, optoelectronic and magneto-electronic devices. The aim of this project is to study the spin tunnelling transport and noise, and related quantum effects in various magnetic nanostructures, such as ferromagnet/semiconductor/ferromagnet junctions, using quantum statistics approsches. The outcome of the project is of considerable relevance to the researches of nanostructure and quantum information/computation in Australia.Read moreRead less
Interplay of superconductivity and magnetism in layered molecular crystals. The most interesting new electronic materials discovered in the past decade are built from layers of atoms or molecules. Many exhibit a subtle competition between magnetism and superconductivity.
This project will develop new theoretical concepts and models for the electronic properties of organic molecular crystals. The theoretical predictions will be tested experimentally at the USA National High Magnetic Field Labo ....Interplay of superconductivity and magnetism in layered molecular crystals. The most interesting new electronic materials discovered in the past decade are built from layers of atoms or molecules. Many exhibit a subtle competition between magnetism and superconductivity.
This project will develop new theoretical concepts and models for the electronic properties of organic molecular crystals. The theoretical predictions will be tested experimentally at the USA National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.
The outcome will be a better understanding of a wide range of materials (including high-temperature superconductors, giant magnetoresistance and plastic electronic materials) that could be the
basis of much of the electronic technology of the twenty-first century.Read moreRead less
Novel aspects and applications of quantum measurement theory. The first aim is to develop further a novel formalism for quantum measurement theory based on retrodiction (rather than prediction). The second is to apply this theory to non-Markovian systems (in which the measurement is smeared-out in time). The third is to combine quantum measurement theory with natural selection better to understand the appearance of the everyday world. The expected outcomes include a deeper understanding of quant ....Novel aspects and applications of quantum measurement theory. The first aim is to develop further a novel formalism for quantum measurement theory based on retrodiction (rather than prediction). The second is to apply this theory to non-Markovian systems (in which the measurement is smeared-out in time). The third is to combine quantum measurement theory with natural selection better to understand the appearance of the everyday world. The expected outcomes include a deeper understanding of quantum physics and the establishment of new techniques for analysing problems in quantum communication and quantum-limited technologies. These advances are significant both fundamentally and, at the dawn of the quantum information age, in practice.Read moreRead less
Entanglement Processing in N-Atom Systems. An essential part of modern technological society is an understanding the scientific explanation of the world around us, and a realization that these explanations must be critically tested in the light of technological advances. The study of multi-atom entanglement is closely related to questions of fundamental physics. A breakthrough in stimulating this problem could have applications in other areas of physics and in technology, such as information pro ....Entanglement Processing in N-Atom Systems. An essential part of modern technological society is an understanding the scientific explanation of the world around us, and a realization that these explanations must be critically tested in the light of technological advances. The study of multi-atom entanglement is closely related to questions of fundamental physics. A breakthrough in stimulating this problem could have applications in other areas of physics and in technology, such as information processing and cryptography.Read moreRead less
Interlayer magnetoresistance of strongly correlated electron materials. The continued rapid expansion of information and entertainment technology requires new materials and devices for information storage. State of the art computer and iPod memories utilise advanced materials composed of layers of atoms, recognised by the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physics. These materials have metallic properties quite unlike those of simple metals such as copper and brass. This research will lead to a greater underst ....Interlayer magnetoresistance of strongly correlated electron materials. The continued rapid expansion of information and entertainment technology requires new materials and devices for information storage. State of the art computer and iPod memories utilise advanced materials composed of layers of atoms, recognised by the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physics. These materials have metallic properties quite unlike those of simple metals such as copper and brass. This research will lead to a greater understanding of and ability to design the next generation of materials. Australia's capacity for research and development in this scientifically challenging and technologically important field will be enhanced by this project. Read moreRead less
The theory of interferometers in nano-scale electronics. Soon the electronic circuits in computer chips will be so small that new effects due to quantum phyiscs will become important.
The proposed research will provide a better understanding of a range of nano-scale electronic devices including electron interferometers based on quantum points contacts and quantum dots.
Sepcifically, a new understanding of quantum coherent phenomena
in nano-scale interferometers will offers a potential ap ....The theory of interferometers in nano-scale electronics. Soon the electronic circuits in computer chips will be so small that new effects due to quantum phyiscs will become important.
The proposed research will provide a better understanding of a range of nano-scale electronic devices including electron interferometers based on quantum points contacts and quantum dots.
Sepcifically, a new understanding of quantum coherent phenomena
in nano-scale interferometers will offers a potential application
to other quantum technologies important to the future
of computing.
Read moreRead less
Hydrogen Absorption by Nanostructured Carbons. Carbon-based materials show great promise for clean energy storage through the absorption and desorption of hydrogen. The project aims to use powerful theoretical and experimental methods to resolve the controversy that surrounds reports of massive hydrogen absorption by nanostructured carbons, by understanding why particular structures should or should not absorb hydrogen atoms or molecules. We will particularly study and model intercalated graphit ....Hydrogen Absorption by Nanostructured Carbons. Carbon-based materials show great promise for clean energy storage through the absorption and desorption of hydrogen. The project aims to use powerful theoretical and experimental methods to resolve the controversy that surrounds reports of massive hydrogen absorption by nanostructured carbons, by understanding why particular structures should or should not absorb hydrogen atoms or molecules. We will particularly study and model intercalated graphite and nanotubes made in Australia. Their hydrogen capacity will be compared to the US DOE target of 6.5 weight percent for viable automotive hydrogen fuel storage. Reproducibly exceeding this target would constitute a great advance in the field.Read moreRead less
Quantum Measurement, Control and Information: Forging Links to Underpin Quantum Technology. The 21st century is seeing the birth of the first truly quantum technologies - devices whose operation can only be explained using quantum physics - which can outperform any conventional technology. This project will advance new theoretical foundations for designing quantum technologies by forging links between the three key areas of quantum measurement, control, and information. It will also establish th ....Quantum Measurement, Control and Information: Forging Links to Underpin Quantum Technology. The 21st century is seeing the birth of the first truly quantum technologies - devices whose operation can only be explained using quantum physics - which can outperform any conventional technology. This project will advance new theoretical foundations for designing quantum technologies by forging links between the three key areas of quantum measurement, control, and information. It will also establish the first experimental laboratory in Australia to test these new theories. As the miniaturization of technology continues, quantum design principles will be required for more and more devices. The discoveries made will help keep Australian science at the forefront of this revolution.Read moreRead less