Gravitational-wave astrophysics of binary black holes. Do black holes live alone, or form lasting gravitational partnerships? This question is of immense significance to astronomers. The emerging field of gravitational-wave astronomy is set to provide the answers. This project aims to develop innovative strategies to search for black hole pairs using leading technologies built with Australian expertise.
Policing the border: security, human rights and gender. Women are the fastest growing group undertaking extra-legal border crossing, yet we know little about the gendered character of border enforcement. This project will develop a regulatory framework for border policing that is adaptable to the gender determinants of mobility, human rights and the future challenges of border management.
General relativistic light propagation effects: new insight into cosmic voids, dark matter, dark energy, and Einstein's theory of gravity. This project aims to be the first to develop new methods which will allow accurate study of light propagation effects. These methods remove the “noise” (light propagation effects) from observational data, resulting in unprecedented accuracy of the analyses and new insight into properties of dark energy. At the same time these methods use the “noise” as the ac ....General relativistic light propagation effects: new insight into cosmic voids, dark matter, dark energy, and Einstein's theory of gravity. This project aims to be the first to develop new methods which will allow accurate study of light propagation effects. These methods remove the “noise” (light propagation effects) from observational data, resulting in unprecedented accuracy of the analyses and new insight into properties of dark energy. At the same time these methods use the “noise” as the actual signal to measure properties of the Universe, especially the mass distribution inside cosmic voids (places in the Universe avoided by galaxies), which will solve the problem of dark matter distribution inside cosmic voids. The project aims to use light propagation effects to test Einstein's theory of gravity at cosmological scales.Read moreRead less
A mathematical analysis of the influence of small scale inhomogeneities on the evolution of the universe. A fundamental unresolved problem in modern cosmology is to quantify the influence of small-scale inhomogeneities on the evolution of the universe. This project will develop the mathematical techniques required to resolve this question. In addition, these techniques will have important applications to the analysis of astronomical data.
The diversity of core-collapse supernovae. This project aims to develop a comprehensive picture of the explosions of massive stars as core-collapse supernovae using high-end computer simulations. Such explosions come in many varieties and arise from different classes of progenitor stars. This project seeks to thoroughly understand this diversity. It endeavours to provide simulations of supernovae powered by magnetic fields, supernovae that produce black holes, supernovae in binary systems, and t ....The diversity of core-collapse supernovae. This project aims to develop a comprehensive picture of the explosions of massive stars as core-collapse supernovae using high-end computer simulations. Such explosions come in many varieties and arise from different classes of progenitor stars. This project seeks to thoroughly understand this diversity. It endeavours to provide simulations of supernovae powered by magnetic fields, supernovae that produce black holes, supernovae in binary systems, and the most energetic neutrino-driven supernovae. The project also aspires to better link numerical simulations, observations of supernovae and their remnants, and the nucleosynthesis fingerprints that supernovae have left in the chemical history record of galaxies.Read moreRead less
Gravity effects in quantum clocks and sensors: foundations and applications. Time is among the most precisely measurable quantities in physics, yet it is also the least understood concept in physics. This project aims to develop a mathematical framework describing measurements of time with high-precision clocks sensitive to both quantum and gravitational effects. The project expects to deliver new knowledge in the foundations of quantum physics by describing new gravitational effects in quantum ....Gravity effects in quantum clocks and sensors: foundations and applications. Time is among the most precisely measurable quantities in physics, yet it is also the least understood concept in physics. This project aims to develop a mathematical framework describing measurements of time with high-precision clocks sensitive to both quantum and gravitational effects. The project expects to deliver new knowledge in the foundations of quantum physics by describing new gravitational effects in quantum systems. Expected outcomes include enhanced understanding of time in quantum theory and strategies for harnessing gravitational effects in high-precision clocks, bringing cultural benefits to society and paving the way towards improved quantum technologies that are expected to bring economic benefits in the next two decades. Read moreRead less
Gravitational wave detection with current and future radio telescopes. This project will aim to detect gravitational waves using precision pulsar timing observations. Direct detection of these waves is of huge international importance and will keep Australia at the forefront of the new research field of gravitational wave astronomy that will continue to grow with the planned radio telescopes of the future.
Dark matter, dark energy, and dark flow: galaxy motion reveals fundamental physics. The twin mysteries of dark matter and dark energy present a profound challenge to modern physics. Capitalising on new Australian technology to measure the motion of tens of thousands of galaxies, we will detect unseen matter by its gravitational influence and thus illuminate the nature of the dark components of the universe.
Probing the limits of Gravitational Force Sensing. This project will develop innovative laser measurement topologies for probing the limits of gravitational force sensing. Of particular interest is the detection of gravitational waves from astrophysical sources. Technology developed in this project will be able to see gravitational forces from slow moving mass at great distances away. Implementation of this technology will enhance the terrestrial gravitational wave detectors to observe at lower ....Probing the limits of Gravitational Force Sensing. This project will develop innovative laser measurement topologies for probing the limits of gravitational force sensing. Of particular interest is the detection of gravitational waves from astrophysical sources. Technology developed in this project will be able to see gravitational forces from slow moving mass at great distances away. Implementation of this technology will enhance the terrestrial gravitational wave detectors to observe at lower frequencies. This project will ensure Australia's continued involvement in the international Advanced LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational Observatory) project and guarantee Australian participation in the first direct detection of gravitational waves.Read moreRead less
Extreme astrophysics in the age of gravitational waves. This project aims to probe the most catastrophic explosions in the universe. It will use gravitational wave astronomy to detect an exotic effect that causes space to permanently deform following cataclysmic events, determine the origin of binary black holes by measuring statistical properties of many mergers, and use observations of colliding neutron stars to understand the physics of the biggest explosions in the Universe. This project wil ....Extreme astrophysics in the age of gravitational waves. This project aims to probe the most catastrophic explosions in the universe. It will use gravitational wave astronomy to detect an exotic effect that causes space to permanently deform following cataclysmic events, determine the origin of binary black holes by measuring statistical properties of many mergers, and use observations of colliding neutron stars to understand the physics of the biggest explosions in the Universe. This project will lay the framework for the next decade of the new field of gravitational-wave astronomy.Read moreRead less