Advanced Computational and Analytic Studies in Lattice Statistical Mechanics and Applications. Lattice Statistical Mechanics is one of the current success stories of Australian Science with a significant international presence. The applicants represent a centre of excellence, particularly in the area of combining computational and analytic studies for maximum scientific benefit. The programme of research maximises Australia's investment in this human resource by focussing on an integrated set of ....Advanced Computational and Analytic Studies in Lattice Statistical Mechanics and Applications. Lattice Statistical Mechanics is one of the current success stories of Australian Science with a significant international presence. The applicants represent a centre of excellence, particularly in the area of combining computational and analytic studies for maximum scientific benefit. The programme of research maximises Australia's investment in this human resource by focussing on an integrated set of projects comprising a diverse and innovative group of applications in areas such as polymer science, DNA denaturation, combinatorics and the study of traffic flows. The underlying theme is always the utility of lattice statistical mechanics in 21st century science.Read moreRead less
Key combinatorial problems in lattice statistical mechanics. The enumeration of lattice animals is a famous open problem in combinatorics. These discrete structures also underpin our understanding of many physical phenomena, including polymer collapse and percolation in random media, through the integral part they play in many models in statistical mechanics and theoretical chemistry.
The project aims to answer some key open problems in this area using exact and numerical techniques. We expe ....Key combinatorial problems in lattice statistical mechanics. The enumeration of lattice animals is a famous open problem in combinatorics. These discrete structures also underpin our understanding of many physical phenomena, including polymer collapse and percolation in random media, through the integral part they play in many models in statistical mechanics and theoretical chemistry.
The project aims to answer some key open problems in this area using exact and numerical techniques. We expect that this will lead to proofs of the insolvability of certain problems, new exact solutions of others, and a greater understanding of the effect of topology and geometry on the behaviour of these models.Read moreRead less
Searching for solvability in Statistical Mechanics and beyond using advanced Enumerative Combinatorics. Standard models in lattice statistical mechanics provide basic models of a large variety of physical systems from polymers to the spread of forest fires. The ability to write down some kind of solution to these problems provides inestimable insight into their generic and universal behaviour. This project aims to expand the types of "solution" that mathematicians and physicists can write down.
Nonlocal Statistical Mechanics and Logarithmic Conformal Field Theory. Australia has an enviable track record as an innovator and developer of advanced materials. This project in strategic basic research consists of theoretical work within the disciplines of statistical mechanics and conformal field theory to determine the profound role of nonlocal interactions, such as connectivities, in determining the critical physical properties of materials. Connectivities play a significant role in diverse ....Nonlocal Statistical Mechanics and Logarithmic Conformal Field Theory. Australia has an enviable track record as an innovator and developer of advanced materials. This project in strategic basic research consists of theoretical work within the disciplines of statistical mechanics and conformal field theory to determine the profound role of nonlocal interactions, such as connectivities, in determining the critical physical properties of materials. Connectivities play a significant role in diverse applications such as the gelation of polymers, random fuse networks, the spatial spread of epidemics and bushfires and the tertiary recovery of oil. This research will be practically useful in engineering the physical properties of advanced materials such as liquid crystals, gels, polymers and other materials.Read moreRead less
Exact solution of generalized models of polymers and percolation in two dimensions. Originating with the work of Rodney Baxter, Australia is the world leader in exactly solvable lattice models in two dimensions. This project, in strategic basic research, aims to continue this tradition and extend it by solving exactly new classes of two-dimensional lattice models involving nonlocal degrees of freedom. Since this will lead to new universal classes of thermodynamic behaviours for a diverse range o ....Exact solution of generalized models of polymers and percolation in two dimensions. Originating with the work of Rodney Baxter, Australia is the world leader in exactly solvable lattice models in two dimensions. This project, in strategic basic research, aims to continue this tradition and extend it by solving exactly new classes of two-dimensional lattice models involving nonlocal degrees of freedom. Since this will lead to new universal classes of thermodynamic behaviours for a diverse range of polymer-like systems, the potential for exploitation and commercialization is almost limitless. Potential applications include percolation of contaminants through aquifers, the spatial spread of epidemics and bushfires, the tertiary recovery of oil and filtering drinking water.Read moreRead less
Implementing large-scale solid-state quantum computation. The goal of quantum computing research is to harness the properties of quantum mechanics to build computers that are exponentially more powerful than the computers of today. Along the way, many spin-off technologies for conventional computing and nanotechnology are expected. Realising the quantum computing dream is a daunting experimental challenge requiring both theoretical assurance that it is possible in principle, and theoretical guid ....Implementing large-scale solid-state quantum computation. The goal of quantum computing research is to harness the properties of quantum mechanics to build computers that are exponentially more powerful than the computers of today. Along the way, many spin-off technologies for conventional computing and nanotechnology are expected. Realising the quantum computing dream is a daunting experimental challenge requiring both theoretical assurance that it is possible in principle, and theoretical guidance as to the best method. We seek to provide this theoretical support for solid-state systems, and broaden the range of problems that such systems are demonstrably suited to tackle.Read moreRead less
Atom Location by Channelling Enhanced Microanalysis using Inner-shell Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy. The technique of Atom Location by Channelling Enhanced Microanalysis (ALCHEMI) has been explored extensively using Electron Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) measurements by many authors. The extension of this method to Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS) is difficult due to the more complicated formulation of inner-shell ionization required under such experimental conditions. Issues such ....Atom Location by Channelling Enhanced Microanalysis using Inner-shell Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy. The technique of Atom Location by Channelling Enhanced Microanalysis (ALCHEMI) has been explored extensively using Electron Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) measurements by many authors. The extension of this method to Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS) is difficult due to the more complicated formulation of inner-shell ionization required under such experimental conditions. Issues such as the "delocalization" of the ionization interaction and the significance of channelling of the scattered electron need to be addressed so that this method may be generally applicable. It is the aim of this project to extend this commonly used method to the topical field of EELS.Read moreRead less
The phase and inverse scattering problem for electrons multiply scattered by non-periodic solids. Theoretical methods for the inversion of multiple scattering of electrons in non-periodic solids will be obtained. This will vastly extend the range of utility of atomic resolution electron microscopy and electron tomography, where single scattering conditions are usually assumed. We will further develop our recent novel solutions to the phase problem from images and diffraction patterns (needed as ....The phase and inverse scattering problem for electrons multiply scattered by non-periodic solids. Theoretical methods for the inversion of multiple scattering of electrons in non-periodic solids will be obtained. This will vastly extend the range of utility of atomic resolution electron microscopy and electron tomography, where single scattering conditions are usually assumed. We will further develop our recent novel solutions to the phase problem from images and diffraction patterns (needed as a prelude to the inversion) that are robust in the presence of discontinuities in the phase (such as vortices). These phase retrieval methods will be useful not only for problems in electron optics but also in visible, x-ray, neutron and atom optics.Read moreRead less
Atomic resolution imaging and spectroscopy. This project will enhance Australia's reputation in atomic resolution imaging, positioning Australia as a major contributor to significant world research outcomes in the physical sciences. It contributes to the quality of our culture through the advancement of knowledge through the solution of problems of high scientific merit, provides training at the postdoctoral level and will produce several PhD graduates of the highest quality. This project streng ....Atomic resolution imaging and spectroscopy. This project will enhance Australia's reputation in atomic resolution imaging, positioning Australia as a major contributor to significant world research outcomes in the physical sciences. It contributes to the quality of our culture through the advancement of knowledge through the solution of problems of high scientific merit, provides training at the postdoctoral level and will produce several PhD graduates of the highest quality. This project strengthens collaborative international links with one of the worlds leading research facilities located at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The potential practical applications of this work should lead to direct economic benefits to Australia.Read moreRead less
Imaging in three dimensions beyond the nanoscale. After two decades of research the first wave of applications in nanotechnology and nanobiology is breaking. The economic stakes are high: nanostructured electronics and photonics will be the next epoch after transistors (1947) and the microprocessor (1971), and designer therapies and drugs will be in high demand. Immediately key to further progress in both areas is the ability to characterize structure in three dimensions at and beyond the nanosc ....Imaging in three dimensions beyond the nanoscale. After two decades of research the first wave of applications in nanotechnology and nanobiology is breaking. The economic stakes are high: nanostructured electronics and photonics will be the next epoch after transistors (1947) and the microprocessor (1971), and designer therapies and drugs will be in high demand. Immediately key to further progress in both areas is the ability to characterize structure in three dimensions at and beyond the nanoscale. This research project places Australia at the forefront in this endeavour, builds on the national knowledge and skills base in atomic resolution imaging and expands international collaborative research links.Read moreRead less