Optically resonant dielectric structures for nanophotonics. This project aims to develop a novel research program underpinning the rapid development of a new generation of low-loss nanophotonics based on the physics of optically resonant dielectric nanoparticles. Such nanoparticles are the best candidates for the emerging field of metadevices with unique functionalities well beyond the capabilities of currently existing devices. The project aims to explore the confluence of subwavelength photoni ....Optically resonant dielectric structures for nanophotonics. This project aims to develop a novel research program underpinning the rapid development of a new generation of low-loss nanophotonics based on the physics of optically resonant dielectric nanoparticles. Such nanoparticles are the best candidates for the emerging field of metadevices with unique functionalities well beyond the capabilities of currently existing devices. The project aims to explore the confluence of subwavelength photonics, metamaterial concepts, graphene physics, and nonlinear optics. The expected outcomes of this research will enable the design and world-first experimental demonstration of ultra-thin, tunable, and low-loss metadevices for novel optical technologies with unique energy harvesting, switching, and sensing functionalities.Read moreRead less
Multidimensional Coherent Spectroscopy of Strongly Correlated Materials. By applying new types of spectroscopy, this project aims to address the gaps in our understanding of how remarkable macroscopic properties, such as superconductivity, emerge from the fundamental interactions in strongly correlated electron materials. This project will combine theory and experiment to develop a pathway by which multidimensional coherent spectroscopy can disentangle the competing interactions that make these ....Multidimensional Coherent Spectroscopy of Strongly Correlated Materials. By applying new types of spectroscopy, this project aims to address the gaps in our understanding of how remarkable macroscopic properties, such as superconductivity, emerge from the fundamental interactions in strongly correlated electron materials. This project will combine theory and experiment to develop a pathway by which multidimensional coherent spectroscopy can disentangle the competing interactions that make these materials so complex, but also potentially useful. By delivering an understanding of the interplay between different microscopic processes, the project will make it more feasible to control them. This will allow for the design new controllable quantum materials that can be the basis for future technologies.Read moreRead less
Skin penetration of nanoparticles promoted by particle design, formulation and application method. This project seeks to better define the determinants of nanoparticle skin penetration and subsequent disposition in the body. The data would be used to guide minimal skin penetration of 'undesirable' nanoparticles and the properties required of 'safe' nanoparticles to enable effective human skin delivery in cosmetic and dermatological products.
Advanced photonics with flexible pixels in liquid crystals. Similar to conventional pixels in liquid-crystal displays, the localised micro-defects in liquid crystalline structure can be generated by laser beams and immersed particles. The project will create such reconfigurable, or flexible, pixels for efficient control of optical signals underpinning the development of advanced photonic devices.
Nonlinear near-field nanophotonics. This project aims to develop nanostructures which employ both high intrinsic nonlinearities and high indices of refraction to create nanophotonic devices. Silicon photonics promises a technological leap forward through efficient photon-photon interactions within lossless dielectric nanoparticles. Light-controlling-light devices open new ways to control light-matter interaction at the nanoscale, which form the basis for many applications from all-optical inform ....Nonlinear near-field nanophotonics. This project aims to develop nanostructures which employ both high intrinsic nonlinearities and high indices of refraction to create nanophotonic devices. Silicon photonics promises a technological leap forward through efficient photon-photon interactions within lossless dielectric nanoparticles. Light-controlling-light devices open new ways to control light-matter interaction at the nanoscale, which form the basis for many applications from all-optical information processing to biomedical sensing. The expected outcomes will provide Australia with advanced technologies of integrated optical circuits with applications in optical communication networks, bioimaging, solar cells and quantum information technologies.Read moreRead less
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.
An efficient optical interconnect for superconducting quantum computers. This project aims to develop the technology to connect superconducting quantum computers to the future quantum internet: an optical interconnect. Superconducting qubits are a leading quantum computing system, but their practical use is limited by their microwave operation frequency, as global quantum networks will operate at optical frequencies. This project aims to solve this problem by converting the microwave photons tha ....An efficient optical interconnect for superconducting quantum computers. This project aims to develop the technology to connect superconducting quantum computers to the future quantum internet: an optical interconnect. Superconducting qubits are a leading quantum computing system, but their practical use is limited by their microwave operation frequency, as global quantum networks will operate at optical frequencies. This project aims to solve this problem by converting the microwave photons that carry superconducting quantum information to optical photons. To achieve high efficiency the project will investigate magnetically ordered rare-earth crystals, which uniquely possess the strong optical and microwave coupling required, to build a converter that could greatly enhance the capabilities of quantum computers.Read moreRead less
Optically induced spin polarisation: the role of electron-vibration interactions. A defect in diamond has applications as a microscopic probe of magnetic fields, as a fluorescence probe of biological systems and for quantum information processing. These capabilities are to be enhanced by a thorough investigation of the intrinsic properties of the defect centre.
Topological spin systems as basis for multifunctional materials. This project aims to investigate the fundamental properties (magnetic structure, surface topology, dynamics and interaction with external stimuli) of topological spin systems. Unconventional topological spin structures at the nanometre scale, such as skyrmions in chiral spin systems, could be used in ultra-low energy electronics and high density data storage. In particular, multi-ferroic skyrmion materials could directly control sk ....Topological spin systems as basis for multifunctional materials. This project aims to investigate the fundamental properties (magnetic structure, surface topology, dynamics and interaction with external stimuli) of topological spin systems. Unconventional topological spin structures at the nanometre scale, such as skyrmions in chiral spin systems, could be used in ultra-low energy electronics and high density data storage. In particular, multi-ferroic skyrmion materials could directly control skyrmions through an external electric field, which makes them ideal for nanoelectronics and data storage for IT applications. This project will create and investigate skyrmion materials as the basis for next generation computer and information technology in Australia.Read moreRead less
Microengineering of nonlinear optical media with ultrafast light. This project aims to demonstrate a new technique to modify nonlinear optical response of ferroelectrics and nonlinear semiconductors on the microscale. This all-optical technique employs the interaction of ultrashort laser pulses with matter to alter its nonlinear properties and is reinforced with our own method of Cherenkov frequency generation for in situ monitoring of the nonlinearity engineering process. The technique offers a ....Microengineering of nonlinear optical media with ultrafast light. This project aims to demonstrate a new technique to modify nonlinear optical response of ferroelectrics and nonlinear semiconductors on the microscale. This all-optical technique employs the interaction of ultrashort laser pulses with matter to alter its nonlinear properties and is reinforced with our own method of Cherenkov frequency generation for in situ monitoring of the nonlinearity engineering process. The technique offers a versatile approach to fabricate nonlinear photonic structures for the application in novel light sources, optical signal processing and pulse compression. Innovative ideas emanating from the project have great potential for commercialisation and will enhance Australia's reputation in the field of nonlinear photonics.Read moreRead less