Reaction transition states of halide-cluster complexes via velocity-map imaging of photoelectrons. This study will investigate the transition point between the reactants and products of a chemical reaction using a novel photoelectron imaging technique, velocity-map imaging. It is this region of chemical reactions that is the least understood. By combining the use of weakly bound negatively charged clusters and laser photodetachment of these clusters, information can be gleaned about these transi ....Reaction transition states of halide-cluster complexes via velocity-map imaging of photoelectrons. This study will investigate the transition point between the reactants and products of a chemical reaction using a novel photoelectron imaging technique, velocity-map imaging. It is this region of chemical reactions that is the least understood. By combining the use of weakly bound negatively charged clusters and laser photodetachment of these clusters, information can be gleaned about these transition states. The technique will be applied to an important class of halide-cluster complexes that form a set of prototypical reactions. These species also play important roles ranging from ozone depletion through to industrial chemistry.Read moreRead less
The New Atom Laser: Theory of Quantum Atom Optical Sources. The atom laser is a new device which produces a coherent source of ultracold atoms. A practical atom laser will be a revolutionary source for atom optics. This project will develop a comprehensive and practical quantum theory of a new generation of atom lasers which can produce a continuous beam. This will require a different and more complicated theoretical approach to that which worked for optical lasers, but the result will be a d ....The New Atom Laser: Theory of Quantum Atom Optical Sources. The atom laser is a new device which produces a coherent source of ultracold atoms. A practical atom laser will be a revolutionary source for atom optics. This project will develop a comprehensive and practical quantum theory of a new generation of atom lasers which can produce a continuous beam. This will require a different and more complicated theoretical approach to that which worked for optical lasers, but the result will be a device with a spectral flux which is orders of magnitude better than the current state of the art.Read moreRead less
Electron correlation models using morph operators and hybrid intracules. A new solution to the central problem in quantum chemistry will allow researchers in the chemical, pharmaceutical and materials sciences to predict the chemical behaviour of moderately large molecular systems with an accuracy and efficiency that has not previously been possible. The software that will result will enable cost and time savings in the design of advanced materials in the medical and agricultural contexts.
Dynamic Correlations and Coherence Effects in Two-Electron Emission Processes. The electronic structure and properties of matter are determined by the correlated motion of electrons. Thus an understanding of this quantum mechanical many-body problem is central to our understanding of nature. We will apply laser-based quantum-state-selective techniques and advanced instrumentation to uncover new phenomena in many-body spin-correlated electron dynamics, quantum coherence and entanglement. The resu ....Dynamic Correlations and Coherence Effects in Two-Electron Emission Processes. The electronic structure and properties of matter are determined by the correlated motion of electrons. Thus an understanding of this quantum mechanical many-body problem is central to our understanding of nature. We will apply laser-based quantum-state-selective techniques and advanced instrumentation to uncover new phenomena in many-body spin-correlated electron dynamics, quantum coherence and entanglement. The resulting benchmark data will force significant developments in theory, extending its predictive power to drive advancements in areas ranging from industrial and astrophysical plasmas, gas discharges, lasers, and planetary atmospheres, to nanoscale electronic and spintronic devices.Read moreRead less
The Chemical Evolution of the Universe. This program will combine data from the innovative Australian Wide Field Spectrograph with data from the Wide Field Camera 3 of the NASA Hubble Space Telescope and with data from the instruments on the Keck and Subaru large ground-based telescopes. We hope to gain an unprecedented understanding of the chemical evolution of the Universe. This project will raise the international profile of innovative Australian instrumentation technologies, and continue o ....The Chemical Evolution of the Universe. This program will combine data from the innovative Australian Wide Field Spectrograph with data from the Wide Field Camera 3 of the NASA Hubble Space Telescope and with data from the instruments on the Keck and Subaru large ground-based telescopes. We hope to gain an unprecedented understanding of the chemical evolution of the Universe. This project will raise the international profile of innovative Australian instrumentation technologies, and continue our program of internationally recognised cutting-edge research. This research will provide several Australian students with training on world-class space and ground-based telescopes, contributing to the scientific knowledge base of Australia.Read moreRead less
Quantum Simulations with Dilute Gas Bose Einstein Condensates. Fundamental scientific research, such as we propose, is an important contributor to the long term wealth and well being of the Nation. It shapes our culture, our ways of thinking, and our beliefs. It also contributes directly, and in the shorter term, through the technology development that accompanies scientific research at the frontiers of knowledge. The students participating in this research will develop skills in innovation, int ....Quantum Simulations with Dilute Gas Bose Einstein Condensates. Fundamental scientific research, such as we propose, is an important contributor to the long term wealth and well being of the Nation. It shapes our culture, our ways of thinking, and our beliefs. It also contributes directly, and in the shorter term, through the technology development that accompanies scientific research at the frontiers of knowledge. The students participating in this research will develop skills in innovation, intellectual property management, and commercialisation - all of which are critical to the Nation's future.Read moreRead less
Positronic Atoms - A Search for Positron Bound States. An experimental verification of positron bound states will solve a long standing problem in positron physics. A clear understanding of positron binding and the underlying mechanisms will open a new era in low-energy positron-atom/molecular physics, leading the way for breakthrough sciences. For instance, a positron bound state should enhance the annihilation rate between the positron and target valence electron. Positron annihilation, to pro ....Positronic Atoms - A Search for Positron Bound States. An experimental verification of positron bound states will solve a long standing problem in positron physics. A clear understanding of positron binding and the underlying mechanisms will open a new era in low-energy positron-atom/molecular physics, leading the way for breakthrough sciences. For instance, a positron bound state should enhance the annihilation rate between the positron and target valence electron. Positron annihilation, to produce two gamma rays, is a key process in both materials research (e.g. as already heavily employed in defect detection) and bio-medical treatments (e.g. the Positron Emission Tomography, or PET).Read moreRead less
Multiple ionization of atoms and molecules in strong laser fields. Our research contributes to multidisciplinary efforts to unravel the
fundamental mechanisms that govern interaction of intense laser
radiation with matter. Understanding and accurate numerical modelling
of such preocesses have far-reaching implications for astrophysics,
plasma physics and controlled fusion, life and materials sciences. The
research project will further enhance our reputation in an area where
Australian the ....Multiple ionization of atoms and molecules in strong laser fields. Our research contributes to multidisciplinary efforts to unravel the
fundamental mechanisms that govern interaction of intense laser
radiation with matter. Understanding and accurate numerical modelling
of such preocesses have far-reaching implications for astrophysics,
plasma physics and controlled fusion, life and materials sciences. The
research project will further enhance our reputation in an area where
Australian theorists are preeminent, and the research training will
produce PhD graduates with a high-level ability in numerical modelling
using supercomputers. Such skills are essential in many defense,
information and nano-technology applications of national priority.
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Sulfuric acid formation from atmospheric sulfur trioxide and disulfur oxide: is one water molecule enough? Sulfate aerosols significantly affect the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth, influencing the nett energy balance, and mitigating the greenhouse effect. A major source of these aerosols is sulfuric acid. Understanding the sources and formation rates of sulfuric acid production is of considerable importance for global climate models. This project will provide significant insight in ....Sulfuric acid formation from atmospheric sulfur trioxide and disulfur oxide: is one water molecule enough? Sulfate aerosols significantly affect the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth, influencing the nett energy balance, and mitigating the greenhouse effect. A major source of these aerosols is sulfuric acid. Understanding the sources and formation rates of sulfuric acid production is of considerable importance for global climate models. This project will provide significant insight into the sulfur oxides and their water clusters, relevant to sulfuric acid formation, providing data applicable to the modelling of planetary atmospheres, especially timely for the Venus Express mission, and more importantly, the building of comprehensive climate models.Read moreRead less
Dynamics of multi-component matter waves. The recent observation of Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) in weakly interacting ultracold gases has opened the door to the field of coherent matter-wave optics. When the BEC is treated within a mean-field approach the equations resemble those for the propagation of light in nonlinear media. The main aim of this project is to bring our broad and deep nonlinear optical expertise to bare on the classical nonlinear dynamics of multi-component BEC like syste ....Dynamics of multi-component matter waves. The recent observation of Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) in weakly interacting ultracold gases has opened the door to the field of coherent matter-wave optics. When the BEC is treated within a mean-field approach the equations resemble those for the propagation of light in nonlinear media. The main aim of this project is to bring our broad and deep nonlinear optical expertise to bare on the classical nonlinear dynamics of multi-component BEC like systems. The expected outcome is a position of world leadership in the theoretical understanding of the dynamics of atom lasers, mixed atom-molecule BECs, and fragmented BECs in optical lattices.Read moreRead less