Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100129
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$550,000.00
Summary
Equipment and instrumentation for breaking the quantum measurement barrier. This equipment will support Australia's partnership in the international effort to detect gravitational waves, which would allow the first direct observation of black holes and mark the beginning of exploration of the gravitational wave spectrum.
Three-Mode interactions and optical springs in high power optical cavities. Gravitational waves are tiny vibrations of space and time which carry vast energy. They will allow the first direct observation of black holes. To make frequent detections this project will harness the force of intense laser light, and use this force to improve the sensitivity of gravitational wave detectors.
Controlling parametric instabilities in advanced GW detectors. This project aims to solve the problem of parametric instability in gravitational wave detectors to support an international large-scale physics experiment. The project is part of Australia’s participation in the new advanced LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) gravitational wave detectors that have been designed to achieve the first detection of gravitational waves. A 2005 prediction made by the project leader ....Controlling parametric instabilities in advanced GW detectors. This project aims to solve the problem of parametric instability in gravitational wave detectors to support an international large-scale physics experiment. The project is part of Australia’s participation in the new advanced LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) gravitational wave detectors that have been designed to achieve the first detection of gravitational waves. A 2005 prediction made by the project leaders that the detectors would experience acoustic instabilities was confirmed during detector commissioning in 2014. The project team plans to work closely with the detector designers and commissioners to solve this problem and allow the detectors to achieve their target sensitivity.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE160100144
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$650,000.00
Summary
Equipment for International Collaboration in Next Generation GW Detectors. Equipment for international collaboration in next-generation gravitational wave detectors:
This project aims to create a silicon optics research facility which combines Australian capabilities in silicon manufacturing at nanometre precision, with revolutionary crystalline mirror technology. The equipment is designed to enable international teams of physicists to research the optical and acoustic properties of silicon in ....Equipment for International Collaboration in Next Generation GW Detectors. Equipment for international collaboration in next-generation gravitational wave detectors:
This project aims to create a silicon optics research facility which combines Australian capabilities in silicon manufacturing at nanometre precision, with revolutionary crystalline mirror technology. The equipment is designed to enable international teams of physicists to research the optical and acoustic properties of silicon in high optical power and high precision silicon measurement systems. Research facilitated by this equipment may pave the way for the next generation of ultra-low-noise systems required for gravitational wave detection, while opening the possibility of multiple new applications in precision measurement devices. Read moreRead less
Engineering and testing of three mode opto-acoustic parametric amplifiers. This project will engineer a new type of sensor called an opto-acoustic parametric amplifier. It is so sensitive to measure individual quantum units of vibration. The devices use laser light to measure the motion of tiny mirrors. Practical devices could be used to create quantum memory for quantum computers and sensors of exquisite sensitivity.
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
Creation of New Precision Optical and Microwave Technologies and their Application to Testing the Fundamental of Physics. Clocks and oscillators are crucial for the highest precision scientific and industrial measurements and are the foundation of modern communications technology. Recent developments in laser-cooled optical clocks promise a wave of revolutionary changes to global navigation, timekeeping and precision measurement. Our group has already achieved world's-best performance in this f ....Creation of New Precision Optical and Microwave Technologies and their Application to Testing the Fundamental of Physics. Clocks and oscillators are crucial for the highest precision scientific and industrial measurements and are the foundation of modern communications technology. Recent developments in laser-cooled optical clocks promise a wave of revolutionary changes to global navigation, timekeeping and precision measurement. Our group has already achieved world's-best performance in this field. To stay at the forefront of this wave we propose a broad-ranging program of research aimed at:
- new clocks of 100 times higher performance than any existing clock,
- development of extremely low noise photonic oscillators,
- the application of these new technologies to test the foundations of Physics, including involvement in a space-based experiment.
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A new tool for comprehensive label-free micro-imaging of cancer in situ. This project aims to engineer a new micro-imaging tool for comprehensive characterisation of the tumour microenvironment in situ, including micro-morphology, microvasculature, extracellular matrix, local stiffness and the functional variables of pH, oxygen content and temperature. The project will provide accessible, label-free longitudinal monitoring of tumours in animal models of disease; thereby, reducing animal use, imp ....A new tool for comprehensive label-free micro-imaging of cancer in situ. This project aims to engineer a new micro-imaging tool for comprehensive characterisation of the tumour microenvironment in situ, including micro-morphology, microvasculature, extracellular matrix, local stiffness and the functional variables of pH, oxygen content and temperature. The project will provide accessible, label-free longitudinal monitoring of tumours in animal models of disease; thereby, reducing animal use, improving experimental power, and providing better micro-scale characterisation to underpin discovery and application in cancer biology. With potential for translation to humans and commercialisation, such a tool will ultimately contribute to improved diagnosis and treatment of cancer.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100009
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$455,000.00
Summary
Ultra-precision cutting and polishing machines for fabricating high-Q crystalline resonators. The proposed facility will equip Australian researchers with the capability to machine and polish optical crystalline materials down to atomic-level smoothness. The availability of this technology will enable the fabrication of ultra-sensitive metrological sensors, state-of-the-art photonic components, and quantum devices. Precision metrology is an integral component of many industries and it underpins ....Ultra-precision cutting and polishing machines for fabricating high-Q crystalline resonators. The proposed facility will equip Australian researchers with the capability to machine and polish optical crystalline materials down to atomic-level smoothness. The availability of this technology will enable the fabrication of ultra-sensitive metrological sensors, state-of-the-art photonic components, and quantum devices. Precision metrology is an integral component of many industries and it underpins a modern, technically advanced society. With this facility Australian researchers will lead the world in the fabrication of optical crystalline devices for a broad range of industrial and research applications.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882792
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,000.00
Summary
High Power Laser, Test Masses, Digital Control System and Vacuum System for High Optical Power Interferometry Experiments. Gravitational waves are expected to offer humanity a completely new spectrum with which to study the Universe. Australia has been a pioneer in the quest to open up this new spectrum. This project will allow Australia to play a key role in a world-wide project which aims for the first time to enable gravitational waves to be detected from black holes and neutron stars through ....High Power Laser, Test Masses, Digital Control System and Vacuum System for High Optical Power Interferometry Experiments. Gravitational waves are expected to offer humanity a completely new spectrum with which to study the Universe. Australia has been a pioneer in the quest to open up this new spectrum. This project will allow Australia to play a key role in a world-wide project which aims for the first time to enable gravitational waves to be detected from black holes and neutron stars throughout the universe. It will give Australia access to developed technologies, and will be a major boost to physical science research and education.Read moreRead less