Generalized imaging systems incorporating hybrid hardware-software optics. Fundamental optics research underpins the commercial optical technologies of tomorrow. Modern examples of such evolution, from the fundamental to the commercial, include lasers, LED traffic lights, thin-screen computer monitors and digital cameras. The recent advent of accessible powerful computers, together with recent advances in optical physics, promise a powerful merging of computing and optical technologies into so ....Generalized imaging systems incorporating hybrid hardware-software optics. Fundamental optics research underpins the commercial optical technologies of tomorrow. Modern examples of such evolution, from the fundamental to the commercial, include lasers, LED traffic lights, thin-screen computer monitors and digital cameras. The recent advent of accessible powerful computers, together with recent advances in optical physics, promise a powerful merging of computing and optical technologies into so-called virtual optical systems in which the computer processes optical information in a manner very similar to lenses. In particular, the computer may be used to decode distorted images provided by an imperfect imaging system. Read moreRead less
Quantum Information and Entanglement: a new framework for Science and Technology with quantum many-body systems. The expected outcome of the research program is a significant boost in the understanding of quantum many-body systems, which will reinforce Australia's competitiveness and international profile in aspects of breakthrough science and frontier technologies. By developing both the underpinning theory and innovative computational tools, and by applying them to problems of recognised impor ....Quantum Information and Entanglement: a new framework for Science and Technology with quantum many-body systems. The expected outcome of the research program is a significant boost in the understanding of quantum many-body systems, which will reinforce Australia's competitiveness and international profile in aspects of breakthrough science and frontier technologies. By developing both the underpinning theory and innovative computational tools, and by applying them to problems of recognised importance, this program will have direct implications in areas of condensed matter physics, quantum statistical mechanics, particle physics, complex systems, quantum information science and technology, quantum computation, engineered quantum systems and nanotechnology. Read moreRead less
Moving-beam phase retrieval - a route to better microscopy! This research will benefit the nation by improving the quality of x-ray diffraction and electron microscopy techniques available to Australian scientists. It will make it possible to examine microscopic structures in more detail and therefore gain more information about the atomic positions in these structures. This will greatly benefit research that depends on finding the structure of very small objects. Such research areas include ....Moving-beam phase retrieval - a route to better microscopy! This research will benefit the nation by improving the quality of x-ray diffraction and electron microscopy techniques available to Australian scientists. It will make it possible to examine microscopic structures in more detail and therefore gain more information about the atomic positions in these structures. This will greatly benefit research that depends on finding the structure of very small objects. Such research areas include nanomaterials, biological engineering, medical science and materials science. The work is also expected to have industrial applications and to make an important contribution to the development of the synchrotron science industry in Australia.Read moreRead less
Magnetic ground state and dynamics in high temperature superconductors. This project is aimed at studies of novel advanced materials. It will contribute to research at the leading edge of fundamental physics. This is an international project that incorporates collaboration with two leading German experimental groups. This raises the profile of the project internationally. This collaboration may bring some experiments of overseas scientists to ANSTO OPAL reactor and hence facilitate interactions ....Magnetic ground state and dynamics in high temperature superconductors. This project is aimed at studies of novel advanced materials. It will contribute to research at the leading edge of fundamental physics. This is an international project that incorporates collaboration with two leading German experimental groups. This raises the profile of the project internationally. This collaboration may bring some experiments of overseas scientists to ANSTO OPAL reactor and hence facilitate interactions between Australian and overseas experimental groups.Read moreRead less
Does High Temperature Superconductivity Reside in Plane or Charge Reservoir (CR) Oxygen, in YBa2Cu3O7 (YBC)? One of the outstanding problems in contemporary solid state physics concerns the mechanism of high temperature superconductivity (HTS). In particular, what binds charges that normally repel one another, into (Cooper) pairs? Closely related to this question is where the superconductivity resides in the material. We aim to answer the latter question in the much studied prototypical HTS YBa2 ....Does High Temperature Superconductivity Reside in Plane or Charge Reservoir (CR) Oxygen, in YBa2Cu3O7 (YBC)? One of the outstanding problems in contemporary solid state physics concerns the mechanism of high temperature superconductivity (HTS). In particular, what binds charges that normally repel one another, into (Cooper) pairs? Closely related to this question is where the superconductivity resides in the material. We aim to answer the latter question in the much studied prototypical HTS YBa2Cu3O7. In doing so we expect to demonstrate that phonons, widely believed not to play a role in HTS are in fact an important component in the HTS pairing mechanism.Read moreRead less
Theoretical studies of strongly correlated quantum states in novel condensed matter systems. Strongly correlated quantum electronic and magnetic systems represent one of the most active and exciting areas of condensed matter physics, and one that will continue to have a major bearing on technology. We will pursue an extensive program of research into many aspects of this field, using a variety of analytical and numerical methods, in many of which we are among the world leaders. The project will ....Theoretical studies of strongly correlated quantum states in novel condensed matter systems. Strongly correlated quantum electronic and magnetic systems represent one of the most active and exciting areas of condensed matter physics, and one that will continue to have a major bearing on technology. We will pursue an extensive program of research into many aspects of this field, using a variety of analytical and numerical methods, in many of which we are among the world leaders. The project will add significantly to understanding of the physics of quantum phase transitions, spin-liquids, novel superconductors, and other related phenomena, and of the properties of quantum lattice models.Read moreRead less
Interlayer magnetoresistance of strongly correlated electron materials. The continued rapid expansion of information and entertainment technology requires new materials and devices for information storage. State of the art computer and iPod memories utilise advanced materials composed of layers of atoms, recognised by the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physics. These materials have metallic properties quite unlike those of simple metals such as copper and brass. This research will lead to a greater underst ....Interlayer magnetoresistance of strongly correlated electron materials. The continued rapid expansion of information and entertainment technology requires new materials and devices for information storage. State of the art computer and iPod memories utilise advanced materials composed of layers of atoms, recognised by the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physics. These materials have metallic properties quite unlike those of simple metals such as copper and brass. This research will lead to a greater understanding of and ability to design the next generation of materials. Australia's capacity for research and development in this scientifically challenging and technologically important field will be enhanced by this project. Read moreRead less
The theory of interferometers in nano-scale electronics. Soon the electronic circuits in computer chips will be so small that new effects due to quantum phyiscs will become important.
The proposed research will provide a better understanding of a range of nano-scale electronic devices including electron interferometers based on quantum points contacts and quantum dots.
Sepcifically, a new understanding of quantum coherent phenomena
in nano-scale interferometers will offers a potential ap ....The theory of interferometers in nano-scale electronics. Soon the electronic circuits in computer chips will be so small that new effects due to quantum phyiscs will become important.
The proposed research will provide a better understanding of a range of nano-scale electronic devices including electron interferometers based on quantum points contacts and quantum dots.
Sepcifically, a new understanding of quantum coherent phenomena
in nano-scale interferometers will offers a potential application
to other quantum technologies important to the future
of computing.
Read moreRead less
Developing and exploiting a beam of exotic neutron halo nuclei: probing quantum coherence and decoherence at the femtoscale. Developing an Australian rare isotope beam capability with unique features will be a breakthrough in Australia's capability in science. It will create new opportunities for local research with radioactive isotope beams, a field being vigorously developed world-wide, as new access to short-lived radioactive isotopes will open up many opportunities in fundamental research an ....Developing and exploiting a beam of exotic neutron halo nuclei: probing quantum coherence and decoherence at the femtoscale. Developing an Australian rare isotope beam capability with unique features will be a breakthrough in Australia's capability in science. It will create new opportunities for local research with radioactive isotope beams, a field being vigorously developed world-wide, as new access to short-lived radioactive isotopes will open up many opportunities in fundamental research and applications. The experience and strong international linkages from this project will facilitate the longer-term use of future large-scale international facilities. This project will also build links with other areas of research strength in Australia, and keep us at the cutting-edge in research and training in nuclear science, a matter of national importance.Read moreRead less
Breakup and Fusion of Stable and Radioactive Nuclei. All Research Priority areas use tools based on nuclear physics research. Further advances will come from new A$1bn accelerators of radioactive nuclei. Exploiting our new ideas, we will develop a unified framework allowing prediction of the products of nuclear reactions with stable and radioactive nuclei, giving a better understanding of the fundamental process of nuclear fusion, and of radioactive beam applications. Early participation in a si ....Breakup and Fusion of Stable and Radioactive Nuclei. All Research Priority areas use tools based on nuclear physics research. Further advances will come from new A$1bn accelerators of radioactive nuclei. Exploiting our new ideas, we will develop a unified framework allowing prediction of the products of nuclear reactions with stable and radioactive nuclei, giving a better understanding of the fundamental process of nuclear fusion, and of radioactive beam applications. Early participation in a significant new area of research will strengthen Australia's capacity to exploit future opportunities with these accelerators. Top-level research training in nuclear physics, a subject with strategic implications for Australia, will help in the forthcoming international shortage of nuclear experts. Read moreRead less