Multiple ionization of atoms and molecules in strong laser fields. Our research contributes to multidisciplinary efforts to unravel the
fundamental mechanisms that govern interaction of intense laser
radiation with matter. Understanding and accurate numerical modelling
of such preocesses have far-reaching implications for astrophysics,
plasma physics and controlled fusion, life and materials sciences. The
research project will further enhance our reputation in an area where
Australian the ....Multiple ionization of atoms and molecules in strong laser fields. Our research contributes to multidisciplinary efforts to unravel the
fundamental mechanisms that govern interaction of intense laser
radiation with matter. Understanding and accurate numerical modelling
of such preocesses have far-reaching implications for astrophysics,
plasma physics and controlled fusion, life and materials sciences. The
research project will further enhance our reputation in an area where
Australian theorists are preeminent, and the research training will
produce PhD graduates with a high-level ability in numerical modelling
using supercomputers. Such skills are essential in many defense,
information and nano-technology applications of national priority.
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Two-electron atomic photoionization in superstrong electromagnetic field. Correlation, or entanglement, of electrons in matter governs many important phenomena in nature, such as chemical reactions, superconductivity and ferromagnetism. However, it is the many-electron processes in atoms which allow the study of electron correlations most clearly. In this project we will investigate such a process of two-electron atomic photoionization by an intense laser pulse. We will combine advanced theoret ....Two-electron atomic photoionization in superstrong electromagnetic field. Correlation, or entanglement, of electrons in matter governs many important phenomena in nature, such as chemical reactions, superconductivity and ferromagnetism. However, it is the many-electron processes in atoms which allow the study of electron correlations most clearly. In this project we will investigate such a process of two-electron atomic photoionization by an intense laser pulse. We will combine advanced theoretical and experimental tools with the aim of understanding how the electron correlation interplays with the
superstrong electromagnetic field. This will provide insight into fundamental processes of interaction of intense laser pulses with matter which are important in a wide range of applications.
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Atomic Ionization on the Attosecond Time Scale. Electrons emit light, carry electric current, and bind atoms together to form molecules. Insight into their atomic-scale motion is the key to understanding the functioning of biological systems, developing efficient sources of x-ray light, and speeding up electronics. Capturing this electron motion requires attosecond (one quintillionth of a second) time resolution. Our research aims to understand and accurately model fundamental atomic processes ....Atomic Ionization on the Attosecond Time Scale. Electrons emit light, carry electric current, and bind atoms together to form molecules. Insight into their atomic-scale motion is the key to understanding the functioning of biological systems, developing efficient sources of x-ray light, and speeding up electronics. Capturing this electron motion requires attosecond (one quintillionth of a second) time resolution. Our research aims to understand and accurately model fundamental atomic processes taking place on the attosecond time scale. This research project will further enhance our reputation in an area where Australian theorists are preeminent, and the research training will produce PhD graduates with the skills essential in a multitude of nano-technology applications. Read moreRead less
Positronic Atoms - A Search for Positron Bound States. An experimental verification of positron bound states will solve a long standing problem in positron physics. A clear understanding of positron binding and the underlying mechanisms will open a new era in low-energy positron-atom/molecular physics, leading the way for breakthrough sciences. For instance, a positron bound state should enhance the annihilation rate between the positron and target valence electron. Positron annihilation, to pro ....Positronic Atoms - A Search for Positron Bound States. An experimental verification of positron bound states will solve a long standing problem in positron physics. A clear understanding of positron binding and the underlying mechanisms will open a new era in low-energy positron-atom/molecular physics, leading the way for breakthrough sciences. For instance, a positron bound state should enhance the annihilation rate between the positron and target valence electron. Positron annihilation, to produce two gamma rays, is a key process in both materials research (e.g. as already heavily employed in defect detection) and bio-medical treatments (e.g. the Positron Emission Tomography, or PET).Read moreRead less
A Microscope for Molecular Reactions. We are proposing to combine new, state-of-the-art detector technology and innovative experimental techniques in the development of A Microscope for Molecular Reactions. This device will enable precise and highly efficient studies on the structure of molecules and their interactions with the physical world. It will be applied to a broad range of problems in contemporary atomic and molecular physics, and will lead to new insights into the dynamics of such re ....A Microscope for Molecular Reactions. We are proposing to combine new, state-of-the-art detector technology and innovative experimental techniques in the development of A Microscope for Molecular Reactions. This device will enable precise and highly efficient studies on the structure of molecules and their interactions with the physical world. It will be applied to a broad range of problems in contemporary atomic and molecular physics, and will lead to new insights into the dynamics of such reactions and their role in our everyday lives.Read moreRead less
Benchmark Studies of Positron Interactions with Helium. Australia has been at the forefront of experimental studies of electron-driven processes and theoretical descriptions of positron interactions. A new experimental program to study experimental low energy positron atomic physics provides a perfect synergy of these two areas of expertise. The field is a relatively new and emerging one and is focused around a number of new experimental approaches, such as those being developed at the Austral ....Benchmark Studies of Positron Interactions with Helium. Australia has been at the forefront of experimental studies of electron-driven processes and theoretical descriptions of positron interactions. A new experimental program to study experimental low energy positron atomic physics provides a perfect synergy of these two areas of expertise. The field is a relatively new and emerging one and is focused around a number of new experimental approaches, such as those being developed at the Australian National University. This set of experiments, on positron interactions with helium, will provide new experimental evidence to further our understanding of fundamental quantum processes and place Australia at the forefront of the field.Read moreRead less
Experiments with Antimatter: Investigating Positron Interactions with Atoms, Molecules and Materials. We will construct a trap-based, positron beam line to be used to investigate the interactions of positrons with matter, namely atoms, molecules, and materials. Specific experimental goals include the observation of positron binding to matter and the investigation of the threshold behaviour of processes such as ionisation by positron impact and positronium formation, where correlation between th ....Experiments with Antimatter: Investigating Positron Interactions with Atoms, Molecules and Materials. We will construct a trap-based, positron beam line to be used to investigate the interactions of positrons with matter, namely atoms, molecules, and materials. Specific experimental goals include the observation of positron binding to matter and the investigation of the threshold behaviour of processes such as ionisation by positron impact and positronium formation, where correlation between the positron and bound electrons plays an important role. The beam line will also provide a unique facility for the investigation and characterisation of new materials.Read moreRead less
Dynamics of multi-component matter waves. The recent observation of Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) in weakly interacting ultracold gases has opened the door to the field of coherent matter-wave optics. When the BEC is treated within a mean-field approach the equations resemble those for the propagation of light in nonlinear media. The main aim of this project is to bring our broad and deep nonlinear optical expertise to bare on the classical nonlinear dynamics of multi-component BEC like syste ....Dynamics of multi-component matter waves. The recent observation of Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) in weakly interacting ultracold gases has opened the door to the field of coherent matter-wave optics. When the BEC is treated within a mean-field approach the equations resemble those for the propagation of light in nonlinear media. The main aim of this project is to bring our broad and deep nonlinear optical expertise to bare on the classical nonlinear dynamics of multi-component BEC like systems. The expected outcome is a position of world leadership in the theoretical understanding of the dynamics of atom lasers, mixed atom-molecule BECs, and fragmented BECs in optical lattices.Read moreRead less
Revealing the mechanism of heavy ion stopping at high energies. Several fundamental aspects of heavy ion stopping in matter, which is important for many technological and medical applications, are not understood. This includes the charge dependence of ion stopping known as Barkas effect, the Bloch-contribution to the stopping cross-section, and charge exchange processes. In contrast to other studies, the use of crystalline materials with well-defined atom locations and the application of new sop ....Revealing the mechanism of heavy ion stopping at high energies. Several fundamental aspects of heavy ion stopping in matter, which is important for many technological and medical applications, are not understood. This includes the charge dependence of ion stopping known as Barkas effect, the Bloch-contribution to the stopping cross-section, and charge exchange processes. In contrast to other studies, the use of crystalline materials with well-defined atom locations and the application of new sophisticated models will allow the separation of these related phenomena, so that they can be studied individually. This will reveal details of the physical mechanisms governing the energy dissipation by fast heavy ions in matter.
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Atto-second atomic dynamics. Recent progress in short laser pulse generation allows one to capture electron dynamics on the atomic time scale. The project will aim to combine these new experimental capabilities with detailed quantum mechanical calculations and a new physical approach, which will improve dramatically our ability to gain new knowledge about fundamental atomic processes.