Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0346888
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$288,000.00
Summary
3-D Optical Surface Profiler. Establishing a state-of-the-science 3-D optical surface profiler will enable macroscopic, microscopic and nanoscopic profiling of surfaces over a very broad range of research programs including, laser cleaning and surface modification, laser precision microfabrication, surface, materials and device characterisation and optical physics applications. The importance and significance of these projects has already been established by the projects having competitive fundi ....3-D Optical Surface Profiler. Establishing a state-of-the-science 3-D optical surface profiler will enable macroscopic, microscopic and nanoscopic profiling of surfaces over a very broad range of research programs including, laser cleaning and surface modification, laser precision microfabrication, surface, materials and device characterisation and optical physics applications. The importance and significance of these projects has already been established by the projects having competitive funding. The instrument will undoubtedly support many additional research programs. It is similar to an Atomic-Force-Microscope or stylus profilometer but has significant additional capabilites. These include profiling much larger areas at sub-nanometre resolution and the non-contact nature of the technique. These features will enable surface characterisation that can not be achieved by other means.Read moreRead less
The Quest for Ultimate Measurement Precision. Precision measurement is the foundation upon which modern technological society is built. The highest quality measurement devices rely on stable clocks for their operation. The group's existing research has been aimed at developing some of the world's most precise measurement tools based on clocks and lasers. In parallel with this, other scientists have developed the means for exquisite control of light on the microscopic scale. By combining these tw ....The Quest for Ultimate Measurement Precision. Precision measurement is the foundation upon which modern technological society is built. The highest quality measurement devices rely on stable clocks for their operation. The group's existing research has been aimed at developing some of the world's most precise measurement tools based on clocks and lasers. In parallel with this, other scientists have developed the means for exquisite control of light on the microscopic scale. By combining these two technologies, both of which lie at the extreme limit of precision, the group will develop a new generation of technology for fundamental science objectives as well as for industrial needs.Read moreRead less
Coherent LIDAR for Monitoring Air Pollution and Atmospheric Wind-fields. Industry, government and civil defence urgently require compact, field deployable sensors that can measure winds and monitor pollution in the atmospheric boundary layer. Without these sensors they are unable to measure and make informed decisions about windborne dispersion of industrial emissions, environmental pollutants, and chemical/biological toxins under operational conditions. The project will develop eye-safe cohere ....Coherent LIDAR for Monitoring Air Pollution and Atmospheric Wind-fields. Industry, government and civil defence urgently require compact, field deployable sensors that can measure winds and monitor pollution in the atmospheric boundary layer. Without these sensors they are unable to measure and make informed decisions about windborne dispersion of industrial emissions, environmental pollutants, and chemical/biological toxins under operational conditions. The project will develop eye-safe coherent lidar (light detection and ranging) systems that can measure wind velocities at ranges of up to 10 km with an accuracy of about 1 m/s, and can be deployed to field sites as required. The technology will be of major interest to the commercial sector.Read moreRead less
Low power optical limiting for laser receiver protection. This project will place Australia as one of the leaders in the world in both science and technology of soft glass Photonic Band Gap Fibres, which is an enabling field of research with enormous number applications in Medicine, Defence, communication, etc. The project will develop a critical component (receiver protection) for laser range finders, which are widely being used in defence industries, therefore having national benefit in terms ....Low power optical limiting for laser receiver protection. This project will place Australia as one of the leaders in the world in both science and technology of soft glass Photonic Band Gap Fibres, which is an enabling field of research with enormous number applications in Medicine, Defence, communication, etc. The project will develop a critical component (receiver protection) for laser range finders, which are widely being used in defence industries, therefore having national benefit in terms of safeguarding Australia. The project will also be an excellent vehicle for educating young physicists and engineers in Australia. This is of national importance in itself due to the current shortage of photonics physicists.Read moreRead less
Light-matter interactions using optical fibres. This program will allow Australia to build on established excellence in photonics to extend the impact of optical fibres beyond telecommunications to applications throughout the sciences. Pioneering work on materials and structures will form a platform technology enabling innovations in areas as diverse as water quality monitoring and corrosion detection. In addition, new optical fibres will be developed for the needs of the Australian Defence Forc ....Light-matter interactions using optical fibres. This program will allow Australia to build on established excellence in photonics to extend the impact of optical fibres beyond telecommunications to applications throughout the sciences. Pioneering work on materials and structures will form a platform technology enabling innovations in areas as diverse as water quality monitoring and corrosion detection. In addition, new optical fibres will be developed for the needs of the Australian Defence Force and associated industries. Fibre-based approaches to problems in biology will ultimately lead to an improved understanding of molecular structures and new tools for manipulating biomolecules.Read moreRead less
A new platform for poled glass waveguides in the mid-infrared. Mid-infrared light (beyond red out to what we feel as radiant heat) underpins many crucial applications that include the remote detection of explosives, chemicals and biological agents; dramatically speeding up internet communications; and even helping us detect planets in distant solar systems. The enormous cost of generating and analysing mid-infrared light using current technology has prevented many of these life-changing applicat ....A new platform for poled glass waveguides in the mid-infrared. Mid-infrared light (beyond red out to what we feel as radiant heat) underpins many crucial applications that include the remote detection of explosives, chemicals and biological agents; dramatically speeding up internet communications; and even helping us detect planets in distant solar systems. The enormous cost of generating and analysing mid-infrared light using current technology has prevented many of these life-changing applications coming to fruition. This project aims to change this and deliver technological leadership in this crucial field to Australia, thereby generating significant social and economic benefits. This project will also enhance Australia's international links and build on a range of national research programs.Read moreRead less
Ringed photonic crystal fibres for broadband nonlinear optics. The technology developed from this project will enable organic molecules to be detected, identified and quantified. Because the technology is compact, easily engineered and low cost, it will lead to a dramatically increased capability for infrared spectroscopic measurement throughout biology and medicine, with specific benefits in agriculture, the food industry and defence.
New materials and structures for next generation optical fibres. A soft glass optical fibre capability of critical importance to Australia's industrial and scientific capability will be established. This facility addresses a range of the National Research Priorities, most notably Defence, and brings fundamentally important technology to Australia. The proposed research capability strategically complements existing Australian silica-based fibre expertise and infrastructure. The aim is to develop ....New materials and structures for next generation optical fibres. A soft glass optical fibre capability of critical importance to Australia's industrial and scientific capability will be established. This facility addresses a range of the National Research Priorities, most notably Defence, and brings fundamentally important technology to Australia. The proposed research capability strategically complements existing Australian silica-based fibre expertise and infrastructure. The aim is to develop soft glass fibres for defence applications, and to develop fibre-based solutions for emerging applications in bionanophotonics. A key attraction of the platform technology proposed is its adaptability for testing concepts without requiring the support of large-scale fabrication and production industries.Read moreRead less
Optical fibre dip-sensors for in-situ environmental monitoring. This project will continue to build Australia's reputation as a global leader in both the science and technology of emerging optical fibres, which is an enabling field of research with enormous number applications in medicine, defence, and sensing. It will be an excellent vehicle for educating young physicists and engineers in Australia. The new class of low-cost environmental sensors to be created here will provide benefit to Austr ....Optical fibre dip-sensors for in-situ environmental monitoring. This project will continue to build Australia's reputation as a global leader in both the science and technology of emerging optical fibres, which is an enabling field of research with enormous number applications in medicine, defence, and sensing. It will be an excellent vehicle for educating young physicists and engineers in Australia. The new class of low-cost environmental sensors to be created here will provide benefit to Australia, enabling environmental and agricultural managers to more effectively monitor and manage natural resources such as water and nutrients and will lead to a more productive and sustainable economy.Read moreRead less
Sub-wavelength light confinement. This project will introduce and demonstrate new concepts for confining and patterning light on sub-wavelength scales. Building on Australian expertise in optical fibre technologies, this fundamental research will enhance Australia's position at the forefront of international research in the nanoscale control of light. These concepts also promise to lead to patentable new tools for ultra high-resolution imaging and for manipulating materials. This project will en ....Sub-wavelength light confinement. This project will introduce and demonstrate new concepts for confining and patterning light on sub-wavelength scales. Building on Australian expertise in optical fibre technologies, this fundamental research will enhance Australia's position at the forefront of international research in the nanoscale control of light. These concepts also promise to lead to patentable new tools for ultra high-resolution imaging and for manipulating materials. This project will enhance Australia's international links, build on a range of national research programs, and provide training of researchers in photonics, which will be of benefit to Australian industry and research.Read moreRead less