Unconditional photonic entanglement verification and quantum metrology using fast, ultra-high-efficiency photon detectors. Scientists can currently only give in-principle demonstrations of the powerful advantages offered by the quantum physics of photons – particles of light. A true quantum technology revolution, that genuinely exploits photons’ exotic nature, requires methods and apparatus that work unconditionally. The main barrier is the extreme fragility of quantum properties due to unavoida ....Unconditional photonic entanglement verification and quantum metrology using fast, ultra-high-efficiency photon detectors. Scientists can currently only give in-principle demonstrations of the powerful advantages offered by the quantum physics of photons – particles of light. A true quantum technology revolution, that genuinely exploits photons’ exotic nature, requires methods and apparatus that work unconditionally. The main barrier is the extreme fragility of quantum properties due to unavoidable losses. This project will overcome this barrier by developing innovative loss-tolerant protocols and devices that unconditionally show and exploit quantum effects, both for long-distance applications and ultra-precise measurement technologies. This collaboration will bring the world’s best photon detectors to Australia, as a key resource for this work and for future research.Read moreRead less
Quantum physics and complexity. How much information about a system’s present is needed to predict its future? This project aims to show that the answer fundamentally depends on how information is stored. Simulations of partially random processes are critical in real-world applications. Surprisingly, theory suggests that a simulation must store much more classical data (like bits) than is required to determine its output. This wastes precious resources. Via optical quantum information experiment ....Quantum physics and complexity. How much information about a system’s present is needed to predict its future? This project aims to show that the answer fundamentally depends on how information is stored. Simulations of partially random processes are critical in real-world applications. Surprisingly, theory suggests that a simulation must store much more classical data (like bits) than is required to determine its output. This wastes precious resources. Via optical quantum information experiments, the project aims to demonstrate and characterise how storing and handling data in quantum states massively reduces this complexity overhead. Another goal is to use novel quantum optics ideas to greatly reduce communication complexity in important remote processing tasks.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100356
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$327,216.00
Summary
Quantum measurements: new, better, easier. This project aims to: engineer new state-of-the-art quantum measurements; devise the best ways of sensing quantum signals; and make quantum measurements and characterisation of large quantum systems easier to do. Quantum measurements are the principal means by which we gain access to and characterise the quantum world. The new, better and easier measurements that should result from this project will greatly advance quantum technologies. Specifically, th ....Quantum measurements: new, better, easier. This project aims to: engineer new state-of-the-art quantum measurements; devise the best ways of sensing quantum signals; and make quantum measurements and characterisation of large quantum systems easier to do. Quantum measurements are the principal means by which we gain access to and characterise the quantum world. The new, better and easier measurements that should result from this project will greatly advance quantum technologies. Specifically, they should allow for more efficient characterisation of quantum computers and enable us to engineer the ultimate quantum sensors, enhance mineral prospecting; and make building a quantum computer practical.Read moreRead less
Manufacturing, controlling, manipulating and measuring continuous-variable quantum entanglement. Quantum entanglement is a feature of the quantum world which results in objects, which once interacted, remain interlinked even when separated by vast distances. We are approaching the stage where this so-called "spooky action at a distance" will be technologically useful. This project aims to place Australia at the front of quantum entanglement research.
Heisenberg-limited lasers: building the revolution. The project aims to design and build a revolutionary new type of laser based on the ground-breaking 2020 Nature Physics paper by the two Chief Investigators. The significance of this work is that it overturns 60 years of theory about the limits to laser coherence, by applying 21st century quantum theory and quantum technology to the problem. This project expects to greatly advance the theory and, by instigating a collaboration with world-leadin ....Heisenberg-limited lasers: building the revolution. The project aims to design and build a revolutionary new type of laser based on the ground-breaking 2020 Nature Physics paper by the two Chief Investigators. The significance of this work is that it overturns 60 years of theory about the limits to laser coherence, by applying 21st century quantum theory and quantum technology to the problem. This project expects to greatly advance the theory and, by instigating a collaboration with world-leading experimentalists working with superconducting quantum devices, to demonstrate a laser with coherence beyond what was thought possible. Benefits of the project should flow from the manifold applications for highly coherent radiation, including scaling up superconducting quantum computing.Read moreRead less
Ultimate quantum limits to coherence. This project aims to discover the ultimate quantum limits to optical coherence. Quantum physics underpin the miniaturisation of technology, and quantum devices can do things better, often with vastly fewer resources, than conventional devices. Lasers underpin most modern optical technologies, and have been studied for decades, but the ultimate quantum limits are unknown. To find them, this project will use theoretical techniques that have not hitherto been c ....Ultimate quantum limits to coherence. This project aims to discover the ultimate quantum limits to optical coherence. Quantum physics underpin the miniaturisation of technology, and quantum devices can do things better, often with vastly fewer resources, than conventional devices. Lasers underpin most modern optical technologies, and have been studied for decades, but the ultimate quantum limits are unknown. To find them, this project will use theoretical techniques that have not hitherto been combined. This project will likely influence the long-term development of lasers and other quantum devices and underpin innovation in miniaturised optical technology and other quantum devices, leading ultimately to commercial products that yield a better quality of life.Read moreRead less
Advanced Quantum Sensors for Next-Generation Sensing Applications. The aim of this theoretical physics project is to develop ultra-precise sensing capabilities for two main applications: ultrastable inertial sensors for improved navigation and gravimetry, and to search for signatures of quantum gravity. This project expects to improve the performance of quantum sensors via the use of machine optimisation, and may lead to much-needed experimental data to help guide one of the most challenging pro ....Advanced Quantum Sensors for Next-Generation Sensing Applications. The aim of this theoretical physics project is to develop ultra-precise sensing capabilities for two main applications: ultrastable inertial sensors for improved navigation and gravimetry, and to search for signatures of quantum gravity. This project expects to improve the performance of quantum sensors via the use of machine optimisation, and may lead to much-needed experimental data to help guide one of the most challenging problems in theoretical physics: the quantisation of gravity. The expected outcomes of this project are enhanced quantum sensor design, leading to improved inertial sensing technology. This should provide benefits such as improved capabilities for minerals exploration and monitoring the movement of ground water.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130100575
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$373,944.00
Summary
Quantum enhancement for ultra-precise atomic sensors. This project will investigate methods for drastically improving the sensitivity of measurement devices derived from atom interferometers. This will enable experimental tests of certain aspects of fundamental physics, as well as practical tools such as ultra-precise geodesy for minerals exploration.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180101443
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$343,450.00
Summary
Composite quantum systems at the interplay with general relativity. This project aims to develop an operational framework for time and causality at a quantum and gravity interface, testable with nascent quantum technologies. The notion of time is not fully understood in physics, yet it is among the most precisely measurable quantities. The project expects to deliver new knowledge in the foundations of quantum physics by developing mathematical tools which are relevant beyond the context of gravi ....Composite quantum systems at the interplay with general relativity. This project aims to develop an operational framework for time and causality at a quantum and gravity interface, testable with nascent quantum technologies. The notion of time is not fully understood in physics, yet it is among the most precisely measurable quantities. The project expects to deliver new knowledge in the foundations of quantum physics by developing mathematical tools which are relevant beyond the context of gravity. Expected outcomes include enhanced understanding of the notions of time and causality in quantum physics, and formulation of new experimental paradigms to test them. The project will enhance our understanding of the notion of time in quantum theory, bringing a cultural benefit to the scientific community and the general public.Read moreRead less
Gravity effects in quantum clocks and sensors: foundations and applications. Time is among the most precisely measurable quantities in physics, yet it is also the least understood concept in physics. This project aims to develop a mathematical framework describing measurements of time with high-precision clocks sensitive to both quantum and gravitational effects. The project expects to deliver new knowledge in the foundations of quantum physics by describing new gravitational effects in quantum ....Gravity effects in quantum clocks and sensors: foundations and applications. Time is among the most precisely measurable quantities in physics, yet it is also the least understood concept in physics. This project aims to develop a mathematical framework describing measurements of time with high-precision clocks sensitive to both quantum and gravitational effects. The project expects to deliver new knowledge in the foundations of quantum physics by describing new gravitational effects in quantum systems. Expected outcomes include enhanced understanding of time in quantum theory and strategies for harnessing gravitational effects in high-precision clocks, bringing cultural benefits to society and paving the way towards improved quantum technologies that are expected to bring economic benefits in the next two decades. Read moreRead less