Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560716
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$864,610.00
Summary
A National T-ray Facility. T-rays are between microwaves and infrared on the electromagnetic spectrum. Recently, advances in femtosecond lasers enabled access to T-ray frequencies, producing an important new imaging modality for non-invasive sensing of materials and structures. Internationally, T-rays represent a rich new science leading to advanced forms of biophotonics, biomedical imaging and spectroscopy. Non-invasive T-ray diagnostics of nano- and bio-materials are being hotly pursued. The o ....A National T-ray Facility. T-rays are between microwaves and infrared on the electromagnetic spectrum. Recently, advances in femtosecond lasers enabled access to T-ray frequencies, producing an important new imaging modality for non-invasive sensing of materials and structures. Internationally, T-rays represent a rich new science leading to advanced forms of biophotonics, biomedical imaging and spectroscopy. Non-invasive T-ray diagnostics of nano- and bio-materials are being hotly pursued. The outcome will be a strategically important Australian T-ray facility that will provide immediate and transparent nationwide access. Historically, industry is transformed every time a new part of the electromagnetic spectrum becomes accessible - T-rays are the next frontier.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354517
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$20,000.00
Summary
Adaptive Optics for Australian Astronomy, Medicine, Industry, and Defence. Adaptive optics is a technique for correcting wavefront distortions in light beams to improve optical imaging performance. The Research Network for Adaptive Optics aims to draw together isolated Australian and New Zealand research groups working on adaptive optics applications in disparate areas to achieve a critical mass of researchers in this burgeoning field. Adaptive optics has wide application in areas as diverse as ....Adaptive Optics for Australian Astronomy, Medicine, Industry, and Defence. Adaptive optics is a technique for correcting wavefront distortions in light beams to improve optical imaging performance. The Research Network for Adaptive Optics aims to draw together isolated Australian and New Zealand research groups working on adaptive optics applications in disparate areas to achieve a critical mass of researchers in this burgeoning field. Adaptive optics has wide application in areas as diverse as astronomy, vision science, ophthalmology, microscopy, optical communications, laser radar, and laser beam shaping. The Research Network will coordinate and expand Australian involvement in these areas and inform industry, as have similar networks in the USA and Europe.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: LE100100164
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
GNOSIS: a new window on the early universe using revolutionary photonic technology. Australian astronomers have a long history in innovative instrumentation and are some of the early pioneers in infrared astronomy. The GNOSIS project brings together leading Australian astronomers to build on past success. This facility instrument makes use of recent technological advances in photonics—a key strength of Australian research and industry—to provide a dramatic improvement in observational sensitivit ....GNOSIS: a new window on the early universe using revolutionary photonic technology. Australian astronomers have a long history in innovative instrumentation and are some of the early pioneers in infrared astronomy. The GNOSIS project brings together leading Australian astronomers to build on past success. This facility instrument makes use of recent technological advances in photonics—a key strength of Australian research and industry—to provide a dramatic improvement in observational sensitivity at these wavelengths. This will allow Australian astronomers to carry out new science programmes that have not been possible to date. These programmes include unprecedented observations of very cool low mass stars, the first chemical information on dust-embedded star clusters, and accurate ages for distant galaxies.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0236657
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$210,000.00
Summary
Renewed Great Melbourne Telescope: Opening a Window on the Universe. We propose to refurbish the Great Melbourne Telescope (GMT) located at Mount Stromlo Observatory with a new state-of-the-art imager. This instrument will be available to the entire Australian Astronomical community, and will allow Australian researchers to undertake cutting edge research with this world leading two colour wide field imager. A fully automated observing and data reduction pipeline, a world first for a telescope o ....Renewed Great Melbourne Telescope: Opening a Window on the Universe. We propose to refurbish the Great Melbourne Telescope (GMT) located at Mount Stromlo Observatory with a new state-of-the-art imager. This instrument will be available to the entire Australian Astronomical community, and will allow Australian researchers to undertake cutting edge research with this world leading two colour wide field imager. A fully automated observing and data reduction pipeline, a world first for a telescope of this size, means astronomers can work on their data, analyzing everything from the Solar System, to the most distant objects in the Universe, rather than spending night after night at the telescope.Read moreRead less
Noise-free Cryogenic Wavefront Sensing. This project aims to optimise the prototype adaptive optics technology for the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) by leveraging past investment in adaptive optics instrumentation and shortwave infrared detector systems. This project expects to generate significant improvements in GMT performance, with ten times greater image resolution than the Hubble Space Telescope and current estimates of >90% sky coverage, compared with ~50% coverage for current technology ....Noise-free Cryogenic Wavefront Sensing. This project aims to optimise the prototype adaptive optics technology for the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) by leveraging past investment in adaptive optics instrumentation and shortwave infrared detector systems. This project expects to generate significant improvements in GMT performance, with ten times greater image resolution than the Hubble Space Telescope and current estimates of >90% sky coverage, compared with ~50% coverage for current technology. Expected outcomes of this project include the development of a highly trained workforce and continued international collaboration in the field of high-technology sensor systems. This contribution to the GMT will provide significant benefits—it will change the way we view the Universe.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882778
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$201,224.00
Summary
Water vapour radiometers for millimetre-wave phase correction for the Australia Telescope. Australia has a tradition of excellence in astronomy. Inspired by wonder about the cosmos, it stimulates public interest in science, so leading to the training of highly skilled graduates. In turn, this drives the development of technologies needed to pursue the science. The nation has invested in the technology for millimetre-wave astronomy, building the first interferometer in our hemisphere. This equipm ....Water vapour radiometers for millimetre-wave phase correction for the Australia Telescope. Australia has a tradition of excellence in astronomy. Inspired by wonder about the cosmos, it stimulates public interest in science, so leading to the training of highly skilled graduates. In turn, this drives the development of technologies needed to pursue the science. The nation has invested in the technology for millimetre-wave astronomy, building the first interferometer in our hemisphere. This equipment will capitalise on this investment, extending the capabilities of the Australia Telescope to maintain it as a front line instrument, attracting the best scientists here to use it. This will help nurture a vigorous radio-science community, one able to actively participate in the billion-dollar investment being made internationally in the field.Read moreRead less