UNSW-Harvard-Cambridge Partnership in Semiconductor Nanostructures for Quantum Computing and Quantum Science. Breakthrough nanotechnologies based on quantum mechanics promise important new devices with many applications in information and communications technologies. For example, quantum computers promise an enormous increase in computing power, allowing fast and complex processing in areas such as database searching, gene sequencing and weather modeling. This new collaboration brings together r ....UNSW-Harvard-Cambridge Partnership in Semiconductor Nanostructures for Quantum Computing and Quantum Science. Breakthrough nanotechnologies based on quantum mechanics promise important new devices with many applications in information and communications technologies. For example, quantum computers promise an enormous increase in computing power, allowing fast and complex processing in areas such as database searching, gene sequencing and weather modeling. This new collaboration brings together researchers from major national Centres in Australia (UNSW), Great Britain (University of Cambridge) and the USA (Harvard University) to tackle one of modern sciences most challenging problems - how to control and manipulate quantum states.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
Exact dynamics of the asymmetric exclusion process with boundaries. This project offers an opportunity for a postgraduate student to participate in world-class research. It further strengthens collaborative ties with the renowned department of theoretical physics at Oxford University. The outcomes of this project are expected to provide valuable fundamental information for any applied science in which transport plays a crucial role.
Fluctuations in the properties of nonequilibrium fluids and the influence of thermostatting mechanisms. The behaviour of nonequilibrium fluids will be studied by combining ideas from liquid state theory, statistical mechanics and dynamical systems theory. This work will result in development and testing of mathematical expressions (Fluctuation Theorems) that are consistent with the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which determines the direction of any change in any macroscopic system, but are also ....Fluctuations in the properties of nonequilibrium fluids and the influence of thermostatting mechanisms. The behaviour of nonequilibrium fluids will be studied by combining ideas from liquid state theory, statistical mechanics and dynamical systems theory. This work will result in development and testing of mathematical expressions (Fluctuation Theorems) that are consistent with the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which determines the direction of any change in any macroscopic system, but are also applicable to microscopic systems. The expressions will determine the probability that finite sized systems will violate the Second Law for small periods of time and will therefore contribute to development of a fundamental understanding of microscopic systems and the development of nanotechnology.
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Conformal invariance and stationary states. Universal properties in nonequilibrium processes, such as scaling of space and time, suggest the existence of a fundamental, model independent theory describing such phenomena. An analogous theory for equilibrium phenomena exists, namely conformal field theory, and is extremely important for our understanding. Using recent insights this project aims at formulating such a theory for universal nonequilibrium behaviour.
Nanoscale electronic devices: bringing sample design, fabrication, test and theory together. The multi-trillion dollar semiconductor industry drives the explosive growth in information technology that we have witnessed over the past 25 years. This proposal will support Australia's ongoing efforts in semiconductor nanotechnology and quantum information science, allowing us to play a role in the future development of nanoscale and quantum electronics. This research program will bring together Aus ....Nanoscale electronic devices: bringing sample design, fabrication, test and theory together. The multi-trillion dollar semiconductor industry drives the explosive growth in information technology that we have witnessed over the past 25 years. This proposal will support Australia's ongoing efforts in semiconductor nanotechnology and quantum information science, allowing us to play a role in the future development of nanoscale and quantum electronics. This research program will bring together Australian researchers and students to work with leading international universities in the UK, Germany, the USA and New Zealand, allowing access to experimental facilities that simply do not exist in Australia. Read moreRead less
Random matrix theory and high dimensional inference. The topic of high dimensional inference and random matrix theory is one of present international prominence, as evidenced by the number of special programs on this theme of late. This is due both to recent advances in random matrix theory, and the fact that there are applications to areas such as econometrics, meteorology and engineering. With the CI being an expert in random matrix theory, and Professor Bassler an expert in complex systems, a ....Random matrix theory and high dimensional inference. The topic of high dimensional inference and random matrix theory is one of present international prominence, as evidenced by the number of special programs on this theme of late. This is due both to recent advances in random matrix theory, and the fact that there are applications to areas such as econometrics, meteorology and engineering. With the CI being an expert in random matrix theory, and Professor Bassler an expert in complex systems, another line of applications will be emphasized, and a new axis of international linkage formed.Read moreRead less
Microwave Frequency Standards: Testing Fundamental Physics and Developing New Devices. Highly frequency stable oscillators may be used as frequency or timing standards (clocks) and have commercial application as well as application of testing fundamental physical principles. This project is to continue the development of novel frequency standards in collaboration with some of the best research institutes in France funded by the French Space Agency (CNES). With the advent of the International Spa ....Microwave Frequency Standards: Testing Fundamental Physics and Developing New Devices. Highly frequency stable oscillators may be used as frequency or timing standards (clocks) and have commercial application as well as application of testing fundamental physical principles. This project is to continue the development of novel frequency standards in collaboration with some of the best research institutes in France funded by the French Space Agency (CNES). With the advent of the International Space Station and new atomic clocks, the physics community is embarking on an experimental program that will make use of the microgravity environment of space. Combined with the new improved timing it will be possible to perform new experimental tests of general and special relativity, tests for drifts in the fine structure constant and tests for a preferred direction of the speed of light at unprecedented sensitivity.Read moreRead less
Developing the Helium Atom Pinhole Camera. The tantalising possibility of an optical instrument that uses neutral atom beams to image surfaces, rather than light or electrons, has been a grand challenge in Physics ever since de Broglie first postulated the existence of matter waves . This project seeks to realise this seminal goal using an elegantly simple design based on the concept of a pin hole camera. The successful development of this world-first instrument would represent a significant adv ....Developing the Helium Atom Pinhole Camera. The tantalising possibility of an optical instrument that uses neutral atom beams to image surfaces, rather than light or electrons, has been a grand challenge in Physics ever since de Broglie first postulated the existence of matter waves . This project seeks to realise this seminal goal using an elegantly simple design based on the concept of a pin hole camera. The successful development of this world-first instrument would represent a significant advance in helium atom microscopy and would significantly enhance the reputation of Australian science. Moreover, this project strengthens and supports a key collaboration between the Universities of Newcastle and Cambridge and is at the core of this emerging technology.Read moreRead less
Low-dimensional quantum systems. The theory of integrable systems of statistical mechanics and quantum field theory is currently one of most rapidly developing and fascinating subjects in theoretical physics and mathematics.
It allows to obtain an exact description of strongly-interacting quantum systems in one or two space dimensions and provides fundamental tools for understanding of critical phenomena and physics of small systems like quantum wires, carbon nanotubes and Josephson junctions ....Low-dimensional quantum systems. The theory of integrable systems of statistical mechanics and quantum field theory is currently one of most rapidly developing and fascinating subjects in theoretical physics and mathematics.
It allows to obtain an exact description of strongly-interacting quantum systems in one or two space dimensions and provides fundamental tools for understanding of critical phenomena and physics of small systems like quantum wires, carbon nanotubes and Josephson junctions. The project addresses two particular problems in this field: the three-dimensional lattice model with continuous spins and calculation of form factors in a two-dimensional massive field theory with a supersymmetry.
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