Neutral hydrogen and galaxy assembly in the distant Universe. This research will produce a snapshot of hydrogen gas in the Universe 6-7 billion years ago. These results, together with galaxy formation models, will tell us how galaxies are assembled to make the beautiful spirals we see today. This project is only possible because of rapid advances in programmable chip technology, part of the massive increase in the speed and complexity of integrated circuit devices.
Our Galaxy: the last hundred million years. Star formation and evolution are the fundamental processes which energize a galaxy and recycle the interstellar medium. In our Galaxy, we have the opportunity to study these processes in great detail. This project uses sensitive radio continuum images from the Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope to discover how this energizing and enrichment occurs. We will use innovative machine learning techniques to identify a potentially new population of Gala ....Our Galaxy: the last hundred million years. Star formation and evolution are the fundamental processes which energize a galaxy and recycle the interstellar medium. In our Galaxy, we have the opportunity to study these processes in great detail. This project uses sensitive radio continuum images from the Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope to discover how this energizing and enrichment occurs. We will use innovative machine learning techniques to identify a potentially new population of Galactic sources and to patrol a new domain in source variability.Read moreRead less
Improving optical data storage and micromachining technology through better modelling and characterisation of their laser beams. The laser sources generally do not have simple (Gaussian) distributions. The applicant has recently developed a model, describing free propagation of complex (non-Gaussian) laser beams. This project seeks to develop a comprehending model for laser beams propagation through complex optical systems. The effects of various optical elements will be defined employing a no ....Improving optical data storage and micromachining technology through better modelling and characterisation of their laser beams. The laser sources generally do not have simple (Gaussian) distributions. The applicant has recently developed a model, describing free propagation of complex (non-Gaussian) laser beams. This project seeks to develop a comprehending model for laser beams propagation through complex optical systems. The effects of various optical elements will be defined employing a novel method known as SAFE (Stable Aggregate of Flexible Elements) which is a compromise between geometrical and physical optics. Applying this model to micromachining and optical data storage (ODS), which need high beam quality (low divergence and good focussibility), enable accurate predictive capability critical to the optimisation of micromachining and ODS designs.Read moreRead less
Electrodynamics of magnetic explosions in astrophysics. The project aims to develop a new model for solar flares and pulsars that more realistically describes these phenomena. Solar flares and pulsars involve strong magnetic fields changing rapidly as a function of time, implying enormous inductive potentials. The project aims to show how the inductive field and the plasma response to it can be included in an electrodynamic theory. It plans to apply this theory to solar flares, and show how it c ....Electrodynamics of magnetic explosions in astrophysics. The project aims to develop a new model for solar flares and pulsars that more realistically describes these phenomena. Solar flares and pulsars involve strong magnetic fields changing rapidly as a function of time, implying enormous inductive potentials. The project aims to show how the inductive field and the plasma response to it can be included in an electrodynamic theory. It plans to apply this theory to solar flares, and show how it can resolve the long-standing ‘number problem’. It also plans to apply the model to pulsars, and show how the long-standing dichotomy between the vacuum-dipole and rotating-magnetosphere models can be resolved by synthesising them. The project intends to combine these ideas into a new model for the most extreme examples of magnetic explosions: superflares and giant bursts on magnetars.Read moreRead less
Magnetic skeletons, solar flares, and space weather. This project aims to investigate how magnetic reconnection occurs during solar flares through accurate reconstruction of coronal magnetic fields from solar data before and after flares, and by reliable determination of field skeletons. Solar flares are dynamic events in the Sun's corona which cause local space weather storms. Magnetic reconnection is the accepted mechanism for flares but conventional models neglect the three-dimensional (3D) n ....Magnetic skeletons, solar flares, and space weather. This project aims to investigate how magnetic reconnection occurs during solar flares through accurate reconstruction of coronal magnetic fields from solar data before and after flares, and by reliable determination of field skeletons. Solar flares are dynamic events in the Sun's corona which cause local space weather storms. Magnetic reconnection is the accepted mechanism for flares but conventional models neglect the three-dimensional (3D) nature of the process. The project will improve 3D reconnection models for flares, and advance the ability to predict large events and hence space weather storms.Read moreRead less
The Dawn of Extreme Gamma Ray Astronomy. This project aims to reveal the highest energy cosmic-ray particles in our galaxy, produced in extreme and still unknown astrophysical processes. Their interaction with nuclei in space produces the highest energy gamma ray light. Our project will make use of this extreme gamma ray light with upgraded and next-generation gamma-ray telescope arrays. With accompanying data from Australian radio telescopes, and computer models of the cosmic ray interactions, ....The Dawn of Extreme Gamma Ray Astronomy. This project aims to reveal the highest energy cosmic-ray particles in our galaxy, produced in extreme and still unknown astrophysical processes. Their interaction with nuclei in space produces the highest energy gamma ray light. Our project will make use of this extreme gamma ray light with upgraded and next-generation gamma-ray telescope arrays. With accompanying data from Australian radio telescopes, and computer models of the cosmic ray interactions, our project can finally determine from where these cosmic rays originate, yielding insight into our galaxy's evolution. Complex machine learning methods will be needed in a project that provides a world-leading student training ground, motivated by a century old mystery in astronomy.Read moreRead less
The Carina Nebula: a massive star factory and the anchor for calibrating extragalactic star formation. Massive stars are vital to the life cycle of a galaxy, providing material and controlling the environment where new stars are made. This project will use the Australia Telescope to map the spectacular Carina Nebula, a hotbed of massive stars, to provide a picture of its stars and gas and a template for understanding star formation in distant galaxies.
Radio follow-up of gravitational wave events. This project aims to use three Australian radio telescopes to search for and monitor radio waves from future gravitational wave events. The detection of gravitational waves and electromagnetic radiation from a neutron star merger was a scientific breakthrough, with important implications for physics and astronomy. The observations from this project will provide key information to reveal what causes some of the most energetic events in the Universe, t ....Radio follow-up of gravitational wave events. This project aims to use three Australian radio telescopes to search for and monitor radio waves from future gravitational wave events. The detection of gravitational waves and electromagnetic radiation from a neutron star merger was a scientific breakthrough, with important implications for physics and astronomy. The observations from this project will provide key information to reveal what causes some of the most energetic events in the Universe, their environment and how they evolve. The outcomes of this project include increased international collaboration with this global effort, and new techniques for automatic data processing and analysis, as well as engaging future students as we build Australian expertise in a new area of research.Read moreRead less
Many-body problems. The discovery of new superheavy elements, chemical evolution of the Universe, nuclear reactions deep under the Coulomb barrier in nuclear reactors, in stars and during the Big Bang Nucleosynthesis, accuracy of precise atomic clocks, consistency of the Standard Model in strong fields are among the most vital problems of modern science. This project suggests several new ideas in these areas, which are based on knowledge accumulated in different research fields. The outcomes of ....Many-body problems. The discovery of new superheavy elements, chemical evolution of the Universe, nuclear reactions deep under the Coulomb barrier in nuclear reactors, in stars and during the Big Bang Nucleosynthesis, accuracy of precise atomic clocks, consistency of the Standard Model in strong fields are among the most vital problems of modern science. This project suggests several new ideas in these areas, which are based on knowledge accumulated in different research fields. The outcomes of the research will help Australia to build up a "critical mass" of scientific expertise, which is necessary to place and keep it among leaders in these frontier areas of physics, and to train the next generation of experts in these fields.Read moreRead less
Modelling quantum dynamics of electronic excited states in complex molecular materials. Understanding new materials that are the basis of new sources of renewable energy sources represents a major scientific challenge. Many of these materials are composed of large organic molecules containing hundreds of atoms. Their properties and the concepts needed to understand these materials are distinctly different from semiconductors such as silicon. This research will enhance our ability to design bett ....Modelling quantum dynamics of electronic excited states in complex molecular materials. Understanding new materials that are the basis of new sources of renewable energy sources represents a major scientific challenge. Many of these materials are composed of large organic molecules containing hundreds of atoms. Their properties and the concepts needed to understand these materials are distinctly different from semiconductors such as silicon. This research will enhance our ability to design better materials and optimize the performance of organic solar cells and LEDs. Australia's capacity for research and development in this scientifically challenging and technologically important field will be enhanced by this project. Read moreRead less