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
Frequency stabilisation in the Extremely High Frequency band. All precision communication and measurement systems (i.e. radar and navigation) rely on high quality oscillator technology. Any improvement in oscillator performance has a direct impact on the performance of the system and hence is of potential economic benefit. This project will realise the most stable frequencies ever produced in the underused Extremely High Frequency band, which is also important for space communications and naviga ....Frequency stabilisation in the Extremely High Frequency band. All precision communication and measurement systems (i.e. radar and navigation) rely on high quality oscillator technology. Any improvement in oscillator performance has a direct impact on the performance of the system and hence is of potential economic benefit. This project will realise the most stable frequencies ever produced in the underused Extremely High Frequency band, which is also important for space communications and navigation technology. System enhancement will include, better angular resolution, higher bandwidths, faster transmission rates and narrower beam widths without the susceptibility of absorption apparent from the optical domain.Read moreRead less
Precise frequency generation for testing fundamental physics and developing new devices. Precision microwave oscillators developed in Australia and France have applications in telecommunications, advanced radar, optical to microwave links, frequency and time standards, tests of fundamental physics etc. This project will aid in the transfer of new knowledge between France and Australia and strengthen Australian 'know how' and expertise, essential for the timely development of technology, which in ....Precise frequency generation for testing fundamental physics and developing new devices. Precision microwave oscillators developed in Australia and France have applications in telecommunications, advanced radar, optical to microwave links, frequency and time standards, tests of fundamental physics etc. This project will aid in the transfer of new knowledge between France and Australia and strengthen Australian 'know how' and expertise, essential for the timely development of technology, which includes devices for the European Space Agency's Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space mission, which is due for launch in 2010. This project highlights the importance of Australian Science in a high profile international mission.Read moreRead less
Investigation of spin excitations in ferromagnetic submicro- and nanostructures. The project will last 12 months and will be devoted to investigation of spin-wave dynamics in thin ferromagnetic-film sub-micro- and nano-structures for possible applications to microwave\millimetre wave electronic devices and to novel magnetic memory devices. Excitation of spin-wave modes in confined in magnetic nano- and submicro-objects (from the super-paramagnetic size limit up to 700 nm) will be theoreticall ....Investigation of spin excitations in ferromagnetic submicro- and nanostructures. The project will last 12 months and will be devoted to investigation of spin-wave dynamics in thin ferromagnetic-film sub-micro- and nano-structures for possible applications to microwave\millimetre wave electronic devices and to novel magnetic memory devices. Excitation of spin-wave modes in confined in magnetic nano- and submicro-objects (from the super-paramagnetic size limit up to 700 nm) will be theoretically studied. In co-operation with other research groups the obtained theoretical results will be experimentally verified. New information on microwave properties of the structures will be obtained. Possibility of application of the magnetic structures to construct new microwave devices will be considered.Read moreRead less
Novel High-Q Resonant Structures for Space and Telecommunications. High-Q microwave resonators with low spurious mode density have important applications in telecommunications, radar, navigation, precision metrology and time standards. We will develop high-Q resonators by constructing a dielectric Bragg resonators using monocrystalline sapphire loaded in a copper cavity with new cylindrical and spherical geometries. Based on these devices, compact and economical state-of-the-art ultra-low noise ....Novel High-Q Resonant Structures for Space and Telecommunications. High-Q microwave resonators with low spurious mode density have important applications in telecommunications, radar, navigation, precision metrology and time standards. We will develop high-Q resonators by constructing a dielectric Bragg resonators using monocrystalline sapphire loaded in a copper cavity with new cylindrical and spherical geometries. Based on these devices, compact and economical state-of-the-art ultra-low noise microwave oscillators and hydrogen masers will be built for the telecommunications market and space applications.Read moreRead less
Barium Strontium Titanate Thin Films for Tunable Microwave Applications. Australian businesses rely on information and communications technologies (ICT) in order to remain competitive in the global economy. Over the last decade or so, ICT has also found applications in consumer devices, many of which are wireless. This has lead to strong growth in the market for such technologies. Barium strontium titanate (BST) devices can be used to enhance the efficiency and lower the cost of radio frequency ....Barium Strontium Titanate Thin Films for Tunable Microwave Applications. Australian businesses rely on information and communications technologies (ICT) in order to remain competitive in the global economy. Over the last decade or so, ICT has also found applications in consumer devices, many of which are wireless. This has lead to strong growth in the market for such technologies. Barium strontium titanate (BST) devices can be used to enhance the efficiency and lower the cost of radio frequency devices to make wireless technology more accessible for the Australian community. Additionally, BST devices can be applied for frequency agile applications, which are invaluable for the Australian defence sector.Read moreRead less