Trapped Ion Imaging for Biomolecular Dynamics. The functionality of large biological molecules is driven by their chemical composition and the folded shape of their active form. The higher-order structure and dynamics of nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids drives the chemistry of life. Combining single molecule microscopy and trapped ion mass spectroscopy will develop a new tool for precision measurements of higher-order folding dynamics in large biomolecules. Optical techniques i ....Trapped Ion Imaging for Biomolecular Dynamics. The functionality of large biological molecules is driven by their chemical composition and the folded shape of their active form. The higher-order structure and dynamics of nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids drives the chemistry of life. Combining single molecule microscopy and trapped ion mass spectroscopy will develop a new tool for precision measurements of higher-order folding dynamics in large biomolecules. Optical techniques including Förster resonance energy transfer and super-resolution imaging can register changes in shape down to the nanometer scale. The uniquely adaptable ion trap environment enables manipulation of the surrounding solvent cage, temperature, and net charge down to the single quantum level. Read moreRead less
Numerical modelling of the solar atmosphere. This project will develop a complete and realistic model of the magnetic solar activity using computer simulations of the interconnected solar interior and atmosphere. The results of this project will provide a deeper insight into the physical processes behind solar activity phenomena and will help in the development of methods of solar activity prediction.
Towards an intercontinental quantum network. This project aims to address the security vulnerabilities of online data transmission. Cyber attacks and data stealing are threatening the daily operations of public and private organisations worldwide, and the privacy of individuals. This project expect to realise the key element for a new global network architecture where security is guaranteed by the fundamental laws of physics. This element is the quantum node and it will be implemented through th ....Towards an intercontinental quantum network. This project aims to address the security vulnerabilities of online data transmission. Cyber attacks and data stealing are threatening the daily operations of public and private organisations worldwide, and the privacy of individuals. This project expect to realise the key element for a new global network architecture where security is guaranteed by the fundamental laws of physics. This element is the quantum node and it will be implemented through the development of new techniques for the control and manipulation of individual atoms and innovative integrated optical devices for the interface with fibre networks. The development of this technology will lead to intrinsically secure online communication for organisations in the health and defence sectors and private individuals worldwide.Read moreRead less
Quantum-Assisted Sensing. Modern physics has been very successful at developing incredibly precise theoretical descriptions of nature. Can exquisitely accurate models of the interaction between light and matter, to push sensing and measurement far beyond the current state-of-the art, be exploited? This project aims to address this question, focussing on three domains of measurement: temperature, time and power. Improving sensors and measurement has been the cornerstone of new physical discoverie ....Quantum-Assisted Sensing. Modern physics has been very successful at developing incredibly precise theoretical descriptions of nature. Can exquisitely accurate models of the interaction between light and matter, to push sensing and measurement far beyond the current state-of-the art, be exploited? This project aims to address this question, focussing on three domains of measurement: temperature, time and power. Improving sensors and measurement has been the cornerstone of new physical discoveries, with applications from radio-astronomy to quantum information and navigation. This project aims to build the theoretical foundations for world-beating thermometers, clocks, and photon counters, and to guide experiments in Australia and abroad to bring them into reality.Read moreRead less
Memory and light for integrated quantum systems. Optical quantum information technologies have the potential to change the way we work and play, but there are problems to be overcome: we lack both a memory for quantum information and reliable light sources that can be integrated into quantum networks. This project addresses both these issues and will bring quantum technologies closer to market.
A southern hemisphere ground station for the Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space mission. Australia is aiming for membership in the high-profile space mission involving atomic clocks on-board the International Space Station. The mission will test aspects of special and general relativity, searching for tell-tale signs of new physics. This project will construct an atomic fountain clock and install a microwave-satellite link to meet the goal.
Collision physics in lighting, fusion and astrophysical plasmas. The project will apply advanced fundamental science techniques to applications that have a high impact on the environment. These include improving energy efficiency of fluorescent lamps and development of new mercury-free designs and research in support of the international multi-billion dollar fusion energy program.
Spin-orbit-coupled Bose-Einstein Condensates. This project will explore fundamentally new quantum states, the spin-orbit Bose-Einstein condensates, predicted theoretically by Galitski et al. and subsequently observed experimentally. These states host a variety of fascinating novel phenomena, which can be exploited for ultra-sensitive interferometry and topological quantum computing. The project will develop a complete description of these phases and design new quantum devices that utilise their ....Spin-orbit-coupled Bose-Einstein Condensates. This project will explore fundamentally new quantum states, the spin-orbit Bose-Einstein condensates, predicted theoretically by Galitski et al. and subsequently observed experimentally. These states host a variety of fascinating novel phenomena, which can be exploited for ultra-sensitive interferometry and topological quantum computing. The project will develop a complete description of these phases and design new quantum devices that utilise their properties. The fundamental significance of the project is in bringing together ideas from the diverse fields of atomic and molecular physics, condensed matter, quantum information, and topology and its direct relevance to the development of a new generation of quantum devices.Read moreRead less
Testing fundamental physics with solar twin stars. This project aims to test the variation of fundamental physical constants across our galaxy by using twins of our Sun, a new probe that unlocks a 1000-fold sensitivity gain. The standard model of nature's laws cannot explain fundamental constants, like electromagnetism's strength, alpha. By discovering distant solar twins, the project intends to probe alpha in regions of very different Dark Matter density, opening an unexplored discovery space ....Testing fundamental physics with solar twin stars. This project aims to test the variation of fundamental physical constants across our galaxy by using twins of our Sun, a new probe that unlocks a 1000-fold sensitivity gain. The standard model of nature's laws cannot explain fundamental constants, like electromagnetism's strength, alpha. By discovering distant solar twins, the project intends to probe alpha in regions of very different Dark Matter density, opening an unexplored discovery space. Expected outcomes include the most precise astronomical measurement of a fundamental constant, and the first test of variations in alpha across our Galaxy's Dark Matter field.Read moreRead less
A study of ultracold atom interferometry and interactions through high-performance computing. This project involves a design and study of hyper-sensitive machines to detect changes in motion based on using clouds of atoms near absolute zero temperature. Matter at these ultracold temperatures can be harnessed to detect variations of both space and time, enabling novel quantum measurement devices to be built.