Decoherence and Quantum Simulations of Spin-Environment systems. The effort to develop quantum technologies relies on our ability to understand and manipulate quantum mechanical objects with great precision. In order to do this, we need to study how such systems interact with their surroundings. Solid-state quantum systems connected to an environment show a rich range of phenomena, such as quantum phase transitions, which are interesting in their own right. This work will better enable experi ....Decoherence and Quantum Simulations of Spin-Environment systems. The effort to develop quantum technologies relies on our ability to understand and manipulate quantum mechanical objects with great precision. In order to do this, we need to study how such systems interact with their surroundings. Solid-state quantum systems connected to an environment show a rich range of phenomena, such as quantum phase transitions, which are interesting in their own right. This work will better enable experimentalists to develop the techniques required for the future of quantum technology.Read moreRead less
Proximity effects and new correlated phases in closely spaced quantum electronic devices. The aim of this project is to understand the interactions between quantum electronic devices when they are brought into close proximity. A detailed knowledge of these interactions and how to control them is important both for conintued miniaturisation in the semiconductor industry, and for the fundamental understanding of new quantum ground states. To achieve these goals new coupled device designs will be e ....Proximity effects and new correlated phases in closely spaced quantum electronic devices. The aim of this project is to understand the interactions between quantum electronic devices when they are brought into close proximity. A detailed knowledge of these interactions and how to control them is important both for conintued miniaturisation in the semiconductor industry, and for the fundamental understanding of new quantum ground states. To achieve these goals new coupled device designs will be engineered in collaboration with NTT's Basic Research Laboratories in Japan. Theses novel devices will be used to study fundamental correlations in quantum semiconductor systems, with the possibility of forming new correlated states of matter such as electron-hole superfluids.Read moreRead less
Spin-liquids, antiferromagnetism, and superconductivity in organic charge transfer salts: synthesis, neutron scattering and theory. Materials have driven the digital revolution. Understanding and controlling silicon has allowed us to make smaller devices that perform better; an iPhone has more computing power than a PC had ten years ago. For this remarkable trend to continue future devices will need to utilise novel physics and be made from new materials. We will grow crystals of organic molecul ....Spin-liquids, antiferromagnetism, and superconductivity in organic charge transfer salts: synthesis, neutron scattering and theory. Materials have driven the digital revolution. Understanding and controlling silicon has allowed us to make smaller devices that perform better; an iPhone has more computing power than a PC had ten years ago. For this remarkable trend to continue future devices will need to utilise novel physics and be made from new materials. We will grow crystals of organic molecules, whose properties derive from the correlated motion of the electrons in these materials. State-of-the-art 'neutron scattering' experiments will test theories of the way the electrons behave in these materials. We will answer fundamental questions, which is an important first step towards harnessing such effects for future technology.Read moreRead less
Modelling quantum dynamics of electronic excited states in complex molecular materials. Understanding new materials that are the basis of new sources of renewable energy sources represents a major scientific challenge. Many of these materials are composed of large organic molecules containing hundreds of atoms. Their properties and the concepts needed to understand these materials are distinctly different from semiconductors such as silicon. This research will enhance our ability to design bett ....Modelling quantum dynamics of electronic excited states in complex molecular materials. Understanding new materials that are the basis of new sources of renewable energy sources represents a major scientific challenge. Many of these materials are composed of large organic molecules containing hundreds of atoms. Their properties and the concepts needed to understand these materials are distinctly different from semiconductors such as silicon. This research will enhance our ability to design better materials and optimize the performance of organic solar cells and LEDs. Australia's capacity for research and development in this scientifically challenging and technologically important field will be enhanced by this project. Read moreRead less
The mathematics and physics of interacting systems. Much of the world around us involves the networked interaction between a large number of components. For example, such complex networks may be physical, biological, social or technical in nature and represent connections between magnetic spins, species, people or computers. This Project will provide a firm theoretical foundation for such complex interacting systems through an investigation of the fascinating mathematics and physics behind them. ....The mathematics and physics of interacting systems. Much of the world around us involves the networked interaction between a large number of components. For example, such complex networks may be physical, biological, social or technical in nature and represent connections between magnetic spins, species, people or computers. This Project will provide a firm theoretical foundation for such complex interacting systems through an investigation of the fascinating mathematics and physics behind them. This perspective from mathematical physics, in particular using the tools of statistical mechanics, will lead to a better understanding of many real-world complex systems.Read moreRead less
Imaging surface topography using Lloyd's Mirror in photo-emission electron microscopy. The wide-ranging and innovative nature of the proposal will significantly raise Australia's international profile in condensed matter physics through high impact publications and invited presentations at major international conferences. Researchers will be trained in cutting-edge electron microscopy and synchrotron science. A spin-off company will be formed to commercialise software for reconstructing surface ....Imaging surface topography using Lloyd's Mirror in photo-emission electron microscopy. The wide-ranging and innovative nature of the proposal will significantly raise Australia's international profile in condensed matter physics through high impact publications and invited presentations at major international conferences. Researchers will be trained in cutting-edge electron microscopy and synchrotron science. A spin-off company will be formed to commercialise software for reconstructing surface topography and generating movies of dynamic events. The development of new synchrotron based electron microscopy techniques will establish the expertise for the future creation of a dedicated nanotechnology beamline equipped with photo-emission electron microscopy which will have far reaching national benefit in the physical sciences.Read moreRead less
Algebraic Structures in Mathematical Physics and Their Applications. Algebraic structures such as affine (super)algebras, quantised algebras and vertex operator algebras are among the most important discoveries in mathematics. They provide a universal common algebraic framework underlying applications in a wide range of physics (eg. statistical mechanics, string theory, condensed matter physics etc.) leading to a high level of research activity worldwide. The project harnessess the high level ....Algebraic Structures in Mathematical Physics and Their Applications. Algebraic structures such as affine (super)algebras, quantised algebras and vertex operator algebras are among the most important discoveries in mathematics. They provide a universal common algebraic framework underlying applications in a wide range of physics (eg. statistical mechanics, string theory, condensed matter physics etc.) leading to a high level of research activity worldwide. The project harnessess the high level of expertise in mathematical physics across Australia to focus on exciting new developments in the theory of these algebraic structures and their application to physics, thus ensuring Australia plays a leading role in this rapidly expanding field.Read moreRead less
Single atom defined nanostructures: atom-electronics beyond the miniaturization limit. The emerging era of atom-electronics promises to revolutionise microelectronics in the 21st century by going beyond the conventional miniaturization limit of microelectronics. Emerging atom level fabrication and control techniques offer the promise of building devices whose fundamental components are built atom-by-atom and function under completely new rules. This Discovery Project will apply critical new theo ....Single atom defined nanostructures: atom-electronics beyond the miniaturization limit. The emerging era of atom-electronics promises to revolutionise microelectronics in the 21st century by going beyond the conventional miniaturization limit of microelectronics. Emerging atom level fabrication and control techniques offer the promise of building devices whose fundamental components are built atom-by-atom and function under completely new rules. This Discovery Project will apply critical new theoretical tools, in partnership with leading experimental groups, to enable the exploration of this technology and the creation of new and innovative applications which will have far reaching implications in all areas of society and significant national benefit.Read moreRead less
Acoustics of the Didjeridu. We shall undertake a comprehensive experimental and theoretical study of the acoustics of the didjeridu-lips-vocal tract system. There is very little published technical literature on the dynamic acoustics of this important and uniquely Australian instrument, whose operation is surprisingly complex. A combination of stroboscopic measurements of lip motion, acoustic and vocal tract impedance measurements, MRI imaging of the vocal tract and computer modeling will be use ....Acoustics of the Didjeridu. We shall undertake a comprehensive experimental and theoretical study of the acoustics of the didjeridu-lips-vocal tract system. There is very little published technical literature on the dynamic acoustics of this important and uniquely Australian instrument, whose operation is surprisingly complex. A combination of stroboscopic measurements of lip motion, acoustic and vocal tract impedance measurements, MRI imaging of the vocal tract and computer modeling will be used to synthesize all components of the acoustic system into one quantitative model. The expected outcome will be an understanding of this instrument of unparalleled detail.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