Localised instabilities in magnetically confined plasmas heated by radio waves. The H-1 Heliac Major National Facility will be used for experiments to search for localised plasma "ballooning" instabilities. These instabilities, studied theoretically but not yet identified in experiments, are thought to limit the pressure achievable in plasmas of interest for production of renewable, low-greenhouse gas emission, fusion power, and are also invoked to explain magnetospheric phenomena like auroral s ....Localised instabilities in magnetically confined plasmas heated by radio waves. The H-1 Heliac Major National Facility will be used for experiments to search for localised plasma "ballooning" instabilities. These instabilities, studied theoretically but not yet identified in experiments, are thought to limit the pressure achievable in plasmas of interest for production of renewable, low-greenhouse gas emission, fusion power, and are also invoked to explain magnetospheric phenomena like auroral substorms. The flexible magnetic configuration, radio frequency (rf) and microwave plasma heating systems, and diagnostic set of H-1 are uniquely suited to this program. Advances in rf plasma techniques and diagnostics will also benefit the development of novel communications and instrumentation technologies.Read moreRead less
Guaranteeing the safety of short welds in automotive applications. Most safety-critical welds in the automotive and related industries are of short duration (less than three seconds). We will develop a unified theoretical model of short welds which accounts for all important phenomena. Using this model, we will create the first system to check every safety-critical weld in real time, with 3D data objects that use all the data available from the non-stationary process. The outcomes will be a comp ....Guaranteeing the safety of short welds in automotive applications. Most safety-critical welds in the automotive and related industries are of short duration (less than three seconds). We will develop a unified theoretical model of short welds which accounts for all important phenomena. Using this model, we will create the first system to check every safety-critical weld in real time, with 3D data objects that use all the data available from the non-stationary process. The outcomes will be a comprehensive understanding of short welds, which will be an essential step towards the development of more reliable welding procedures, and a weld fault monitor ready for industrial application.Read moreRead less
The first critical tests of many-body and correlated Quantum Electro-Dynamics (QED) in medium-Z atomic systems. Major difficulties are being encountered in the computation of high-order and correlated terms of Quantum Electro-Dynamical effects in atoms. We will make the first measurements for medium-Z atoms critically sensitive to two-electron QED, and the first tests of QED in this region accurate to 1%. This accuracy will allow new insight into two-electron systems, theoretical approaches, and ....The first critical tests of many-body and correlated Quantum Electro-Dynamics (QED) in medium-Z atomic systems. Major difficulties are being encountered in the computation of high-order and correlated terms of Quantum Electro-Dynamical effects in atoms. We will make the first measurements for medium-Z atoms critically sensitive to two-electron QED, and the first tests of QED in this region accurate to 1%. This accuracy will allow new insight into two-electron systems, theoretical approaches, and recent observed discrepancies between QED theory and experiment. This proposal follows recent successful experimental work using new capabilities of Electron-Beam Ion Traps (EBITs). Our recent publications have proven that this novel approach can yield new insight into the interaction of light with matter.Read moreRead less
Plasma Astrophysics under Extreme Conditions. A new branch of theoretical physics, quantum plasmadynamics (QPD), will be applied to plasmas under extreme conditions of magnetic field and density, to plasma-neutrino effects and nonlinear radiation.
Magnetic energy dissipation in solar flares will be attributed to a large number of coupled, local, transient, anomalously resistive regions excited by current filamentation. The model will include nonlocal energy release at Alfvenic fronts, 3D reconn ....Plasma Astrophysics under Extreme Conditions. A new branch of theoretical physics, quantum plasmadynamics (QPD), will be applied to plasmas under extreme conditions of magnetic field and density, to plasma-neutrino effects and nonlinear radiation.
Magnetic energy dissipation in solar flares will be attributed to a large number of coupled, local, transient, anomalously resistive regions excited by current filamentation. The model will include nonlocal energy release at Alfvenic fronts, 3D reconnection at magnetic nulls, and bulk energization of electrons.
`Coherence? in sources of coherent emission will be quantified and a model for its interpretation for highly intermittent wave growth will be formulated.Read moreRead less
Burning Plasmas: resolving energetic particle physics for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). Fusion power is a zero greenhouse gas emitting technology, which if realised, offers millions of years of base-load electricity. This promise has prompted the international community to accelerate fusion energy development, principally via support of the next-step technology-enabling experiment, International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). Our project addresses a gr ....Burning Plasmas: resolving energetic particle physics for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). Fusion power is a zero greenhouse gas emitting technology, which if realised, offers millions of years of base-load electricity. This promise has prompted the international community to accelerate fusion energy development, principally via support of the next-step technology-enabling experiment, International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). Our project addresses a grand science challenge facing ITER and fusion power: can the products of reaction be kept confined and therefore self-heat the plasma? The answer will affect both the ITER program, and the viability of fusion power. This project provides a low-cost high-impact contribution to the science base for the $16 billion ITER project, whilst growing Australian capability in this strategically important technology.Read moreRead less
Existence and Stability of a Model for Three-Dimensional Toroidal Plasma Equilibria. There is great physical interest in modelling strongly non-axisymmetric toroidal plasmas, but fundamental existence problems have made rigorous numerical analysis so far impossible. We seek to overcome this by investigating a class of idealized, but physically motivated, magnetohydrodynamic equilibria with stepped pressure profiles for which existence in the neighbourhood of axisymmetry has been proven. We will ....Existence and Stability of a Model for Three-Dimensional Toroidal Plasma Equilibria. There is great physical interest in modelling strongly non-axisymmetric toroidal plasmas, but fundamental existence problems have made rigorous numerical analysis so far impossible. We seek to overcome this by investigating a class of idealized, but physically motivated, magnetohydrodynamic equilibria with stepped pressure profiles for which existence in the neighbourhood of axisymmetry has been proven. We will (i) develop numerical techniques to extend these piece-wise Beltrami states far away from axisymmetry (ii) develop practical tests to determine when existence breaks down (iii) analyze the frequency spectrum of small oscillations about such equilibria (iv) extend the model to two-fluid MHD.Read moreRead less
Quantum plasmas. Quantum effects become important under extreme conditions, and a newly developing field of "quantum plasmas" is motivated by two different extremes for ionized systems. One is in very small electronic devises, where electrons carrying the currents become wave-like with a wavelength comparable with the size of the device. The other is in the extremely intense optical light spots now available by focusing high-power lasers. In this project we propose to take a leading role in the ....Quantum plasmas. Quantum effects become important under extreme conditions, and a newly developing field of "quantum plasmas" is motivated by two different extremes for ionized systems. One is in very small electronic devises, where electrons carrying the currents become wave-like with a wavelength comparable with the size of the device. The other is in the extremely intense optical light spots now available by focusing high-power lasers. In this project we propose to take a leading role in the development of this emerging field by applying a recently completed general theory to it. Read moreRead less
Design and synthesis of transparent conducting metal oxides. With advances in solar cell and flexible display technologies the demand and performance requirements for transparent conductors used as electrodes in these devices will increase dramatically. This research program is focused on developing new materials to meet the demand and the challenges of new, more advanced technologies. The project has the potential to generate valuable intellectual property in the form of new generation transpar ....Design and synthesis of transparent conducting metal oxides. With advances in solar cell and flexible display technologies the demand and performance requirements for transparent conductors used as electrodes in these devices will increase dramatically. This research program is focused on developing new materials to meet the demand and the challenges of new, more advanced technologies. The project has the potential to generate valuable intellectual property in the form of new generation transparent conducting oxide materials for a rapidly growing set of applications. The new devices will directly improve our standard of living and additional economic benefits will come from commercialisation of the technology both here and overseas.Read moreRead less
Critical Tests of Quantum Electro-Dynamics (QED) in heavy atomic systems. The 2005 Nobel prize was awarded for high-precision spectroscopy and a critical test of QED in light atomic systems. This led to dramatic applications to constants of nature and Quantum Optics. Our research has also developed state-of-the-art detector and spectrometer technology in pursuit of fundamental knowledge, but in the X-ray regime. We will make major progress for heavy atomic systems. Applications include the deve ....Critical Tests of Quantum Electro-Dynamics (QED) in heavy atomic systems. The 2005 Nobel prize was awarded for high-precision spectroscopy and a critical test of QED in light atomic systems. This led to dramatic applications to constants of nature and Quantum Optics. Our research has also developed state-of-the-art detector and spectrometer technology in pursuit of fundamental knowledge, but in the X-ray regime. We will make major progress for heavy atomic systems. Applications include the development of a few-electron calibration lamp, widely discussed as a new energy standard. These studies provide data, physical insights and highly skilled personnel for Australia's future in frontier technologies. Our fundamental research has led to two orders of magnitude improvement in mammographic diagnostic accuracy.Read moreRead less
Development of Cathodic Arc Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation (PIII) for biomaterials applications. Medical prostheses have intricate geometries, consisting of shapes such as screws, holes, wedges, cones and textured surfaces. Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation using metal or carbon ions produced by a cathodic arc has been found to be an excellent process for producing surface modification with the properties required in medical applications, such as low stress and excellent adhesion of very thic ....Development of Cathodic Arc Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation (PIII) for biomaterials applications. Medical prostheses have intricate geometries, consisting of shapes such as screws, holes, wedges, cones and textured surfaces. Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation using metal or carbon ions produced by a cathodic arc has been found to be an excellent process for producing surface modification with the properties required in medical applications, such as low stress and excellent adhesion of very thick coatings. To date this process has only been applied to simple, flat substrates. Extending it to shapes of interest for biomaterials applications will require comprehensive understanding and control of the sheath dynamics, which our combined theoretical and experimental approach will provide.Read moreRead less