Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210101593
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$462,948.00
Summary
Developing new tools to search for dark matter. This project aims to propose and assist in the development of novel approaches, based on atomic, molecular and optical technologies, to detect dark matter in the laboratory, and thereby establish the identity and microscopic properties of dark matter. The origin and nature of dark matter remains one of the most important outstanding problems in contemporary science. The intended outcome of this project is that the use of our novel methods will enab ....Developing new tools to search for dark matter. This project aims to propose and assist in the development of novel approaches, based on atomic, molecular and optical technologies, to detect dark matter in the laboratory, and thereby establish the identity and microscopic properties of dark matter. The origin and nature of dark matter remains one of the most important outstanding problems in contemporary science. The intended outcome of this project is that the use of our novel methods will enable us to search for forms of dark matter that have remained largely unprobed to date. This in turn is expected to open up new opportunities in the global hunt for dark matter that should improve our chances of finally discovering the nature and properties of dark matter.Read moreRead less
Frequency standards with breakthrough performance: engineering immunity to local oscillator instabilities using dynamical error suppression. This project aims to dramatically advance state-of-the-art performance of one of the most important technological systems in modern electronics - precision frequency standards. Our work will provide orders of magnitude gains in performance by translating new knowledge from quantum information to the precision metrology research community.
Using high-resolution lasers to test quantum electrodynamics. High-precision laser-based measurements of atomic and molecular structure are benchmarks for our fundamental understanding of matter. This project will undertake state-of-the-art experiments on atomic helium, to test and challenge current theoretical predictions of fundamental quantum-electrodynamic properties for helium and for more complex atoms.
Non-equilibrium presolvation electron processes at the gas-liquid interface. The interaction of low-temperature plasma electrons with liquids has served as a reducing agent in various technological applications in water treatment, agriculture, biofuels and medicine. Predictive control of the plasma-liquid interface is essential to unlocking the potential of these applications, and this has been limited by the absence of the relevant non-equilibrium transport theory describing electrons at the pl ....Non-equilibrium presolvation electron processes at the gas-liquid interface. The interaction of low-temperature plasma electrons with liquids has served as a reducing agent in various technological applications in water treatment, agriculture, biofuels and medicine. Predictive control of the plasma-liquid interface is essential to unlocking the potential of these applications, and this has been limited by the absence of the relevant non-equilibrium transport theory describing electrons at the plasma-liquid interface together with fundamental data describing electron interactions with liquids. The project will develop a state of the art presolvation electron transport model informed by world first measurements of electron cross-sections for radicals and liquids and apply it to model plasma electrochemistry processes.Read moreRead less
Auger-electron yields of medical radioisotopes. Large numbers of Auger electrons are emitted during the decay of many medical isotopes. Auger electrons have a short range and a strong ability to break chemical bonds. However no measurements of the number of Auger electrons per nuclear decay exist in the critical low energy regime. Calculated Auger yields are incomplete and inconsistent. Building on unique Australian expertise and instrumentation, and performing both calculations and measurements ....Auger-electron yields of medical radioisotopes. Large numbers of Auger electrons are emitted during the decay of many medical isotopes. Auger electrons have a short range and a strong ability to break chemical bonds. However no measurements of the number of Auger electrons per nuclear decay exist in the critical low energy regime. Calculated Auger yields are incomplete and inconsistent. Building on unique Australian expertise and instrumentation, and performing both calculations and measurements, his project aims to determine the number of Auger electrons per nuclear decay accurately for medical isotopes. The outcome will be accurate dose data for radioisotopes, plus essential knowledge to develop new cancer treatments based on Auger electrons, which target a fraction of a cell.Read moreRead less
Fundamental physics in distant galaxies. The fundamental constants of Nature are assumed to characterise physics in our entire Universe, but are they really the same everywhere and throughout its entire 14 billion year history? This project will answer this question with the first large-scale, purpose-built observational programme on one of the world's biggest and best telescopes.
A Quantum Matterwave Vortex Gyroscope for Ultrastable Rotation Sensing. This project aims to investigate the basic science underpinning a new rotation sensing technology based on matterwave vortices. Current gyroscopes are susceptible to long-term calibration drifts, which limit their applicability on long timescales where re-calibration is not practical or possible. This project expects to build a matterwave vortex gyroscope and demonstrate that it offers unparalleled long-term stability over ` ....A Quantum Matterwave Vortex Gyroscope for Ultrastable Rotation Sensing. This project aims to investigate the basic science underpinning a new rotation sensing technology based on matterwave vortices. Current gyroscopes are susceptible to long-term calibration drifts, which limit their applicability on long timescales where re-calibration is not practical or possible. This project expects to build a matterwave vortex gyroscope and demonstrate that it offers unparalleled long-term stability over `classical’ gyroscopes based on mechanical and/or optical technology. This could deliver new navigation capabilities, benefitting Australia’s defence forces and nascent space technology industry, as well as enabling slow timescale precision gravimetry for mineral exploration, hydrology, and geology. Read moreRead less
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.
Novel advances in sub-nanometer imaging. After two decades of research the first wave of applications in nanotechnology and nanobiology is breaking. Immediately key to further progress in both areas is the ability to characterise the structure of such systems and also their evolution on very short time scales. This research project places Australia at the forefront in this endeavour.
Shape-Shifting Molecules: Photoisomerization Action Spectroscopy. This project aims to examine molecules that change shape in response to light in order to gain insight into the biological processes they control. Many biological systems, including the human visual apparatus and bacterial photosynthesis, depend on molecules that change shape in response to light. The project plans to probe shape-shifting molecules with laser light while they are propelled through gas by an electric field. Light-i ....Shape-Shifting Molecules: Photoisomerization Action Spectroscopy. This project aims to examine molecules that change shape in response to light in order to gain insight into the biological processes they control. Many biological systems, including the human visual apparatus and bacterial photosynthesis, depend on molecules that change shape in response to light. The project plans to probe shape-shifting molecules with laser light while they are propelled through gas by an electric field. Light-induced changes in molecular shape produce detectable variations in drift speed. The ensuing knowledge would help calibrate computational approaches for predicting molecular function. It would also establish foundations for understanding essential biological molecules, including retinals, carotenes and peptides, and for developing new light-activated molecular motors and switches.Read moreRead less