Cluster dynamics in nuclear fusion. This project aims to pin down cluster transfer dynamics and develop models combining quantum coherence and energy dissipation, using Australia’s exotic beam capability. Accelerators providing intense beams of stable and exotic nuclei are tools for nuclear physics, astrophysics and cancer therapy. Accurate knowledge of nuclear reactions underpins these research and technological opportunities, but the process of fusion is significantly less than quantum model p ....Cluster dynamics in nuclear fusion. This project aims to pin down cluster transfer dynamics and develop models combining quantum coherence and energy dissipation, using Australia’s exotic beam capability. Accelerators providing intense beams of stable and exotic nuclei are tools for nuclear physics, astrophysics and cancer therapy. Accurate knowledge of nuclear reactions underpins these research and technological opportunities, but the process of fusion is significantly less than quantum model predictions. Nuclear cluster transfer is the likely cause. This project expects to advance fundamental understanding of nuclear physics and its application to medical physicsRead moreRead less
ARC Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics. The Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics will deliver breakthroughs in our understanding of the Universe through the pursuit of the discovery of dark matter particles which comprise 80% of the mass of the universe. It assembles for the first time a strong and diverse team of physicists from particle, nuclear, and quantum physics as well as particle astrophysics. It will deliver high-profile experiments using new cutting- ....ARC Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics. The Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics will deliver breakthroughs in our understanding of the Universe through the pursuit of the discovery of dark matter particles which comprise 80% of the mass of the universe. It assembles for the first time a strong and diverse team of physicists from particle, nuclear, and quantum physics as well as particle astrophysics. It will deliver high-profile experiments using new cutting-edge technologies. The Centre will exploit the unique geographical location of the first underground physics lab in the Southern Hemisphere. The ultra-sensitive detectors and ultra-low radiation techniques will translate into a broad range of industrial applications and train a new generation of scientists.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140100784
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$395,220.00
Summary
Breaking through the barrier: a new approach to understanding quantum tunneling in nuclear fusion. Experiments have shown major failings of our best predictive model of nuclear fusion. This project will address these failings through a multifaceted research program which will develop and benchmark an enhanced quantum model and test for missing physics by conducting precision fusion measurements for carefully chosen reactions. This project will develop a new technique that exploits fission follow ....Breaking through the barrier: a new approach to understanding quantum tunneling in nuclear fusion. Experiments have shown major failings of our best predictive model of nuclear fusion. This project will address these failings through a multifaceted research program which will develop and benchmark an enhanced quantum model and test for missing physics by conducting precision fusion measurements for carefully chosen reactions. This project will develop a new technique that exploits fission following fusion to directly probe physical processes inside the fusion barrier, which are missing from current models. This integrated approach to fusion will allow us to better predict fusion cross sections, create new elements and exploit radioactive ion beams at new international facilities.Read moreRead less
Auger-electron yields of medical radioisotopes. Large numbers of Auger electrons are emitted during the decay of many medical isotopes. Auger electrons have a short range and a strong ability to break chemical bonds. However no measurements of the number of Auger electrons per nuclear decay exist in the critical low energy regime. Calculated Auger yields are incomplete and inconsistent. Building on unique Australian expertise and instrumentation, and performing both calculations and measurements ....Auger-electron yields of medical radioisotopes. Large numbers of Auger electrons are emitted during the decay of many medical isotopes. Auger electrons have a short range and a strong ability to break chemical bonds. However no measurements of the number of Auger electrons per nuclear decay exist in the critical low energy regime. Calculated Auger yields are incomplete and inconsistent. Building on unique Australian expertise and instrumentation, and performing both calculations and measurements, his project aims to determine the number of Auger electrons per nuclear decay accurately for medical isotopes. The outcome will be accurate dose data for radioisotopes, plus essential knowledge to develop new cancer treatments based on Auger electrons, which target a fraction of a cell.Read moreRead less
Reaching the superheavy elements: a quantitative understanding through integrating new reaction time measurements with theoretical models. The project will develop new experimental methods to give unique insights into the interplay of quantum effects in nuclear fusion reactions forming heavy elements. The results will guide theoretical model developments to enhance understanding, and predict optimal opportunities to form new elements and isotopes with future rare isotope accelerators.
Quantum thermalisation: a new framework for nuclear collisions. This project aims to quantify and model the processes that lead to quantum thermalisation in nuclear collisions. Thermalisation is critical to the synthesis of new superheavy elements, production of medical isotopes, and creation of heavy elements in the cosmos. Yet quantum thermalisation in nuclear systems is not understood, causing models to be wrong by up to a factor of 100. This project will determine the routes to thermalisatio ....Quantum thermalisation: a new framework for nuclear collisions. This project aims to quantify and model the processes that lead to quantum thermalisation in nuclear collisions. Thermalisation is critical to the synthesis of new superheavy elements, production of medical isotopes, and creation of heavy elements in the cosmos. Yet quantum thermalisation in nuclear systems is not understood, causing models to be wrong by up to a factor of 100. This project will determine the routes to thermalisation in nuclear systems by combining the latest concepts in many body quantum physics with enhancements to Australia’s precision measurement capabilities. The project will enable new fundamental tests of quantum mechanics and benefit broader applications of nuclear collisions.Read moreRead less
Mapping the microscopic pathway to dissipation in quantum nuclear collisions. Nuclear reactions power the universe and produce all the chemical elements, whose abundances are a sensitive probe of energetic cosmic events. Our new concepts and experiments will probe the boundaries of the quantum world, guide applications of international radioactive isotope accelerators and address the problem of lithium abundance in the cosmos.
Ultrasensitive single atom-counting for astrophysics and nuclear technology. This project aims to study nuclear reactions identified as highest priority by United States and European working groups. This project addresses a wide range of applications that are critical to society, the generation of energy (nuclear fusion, fission, advanced nuclear systems), medical applications, national security and environmental applications. It addresses the fundamental question of where all the elements origi ....Ultrasensitive single atom-counting for astrophysics and nuclear technology. This project aims to study nuclear reactions identified as highest priority by United States and European working groups. This project addresses a wide range of applications that are critical to society, the generation of energy (nuclear fusion, fission, advanced nuclear systems), medical applications, national security and environmental applications. It addresses the fundamental question of where all the elements originate and will benefit the general community with qualified research in nuclear technology, non-proliferation, nuclear safeguards and through accelerator-based research relevant, for example, for hadron therapy.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL110100098
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,750,752.00
Summary
Frontiers of reaction dynamics for new generation accelerator science. Innovative concepts and new Australian capabilities will be combined to understand reactions of exotic isotopes. This will underpin applications of next generation international rare isotope accelerators to advance many areas of physics, medical science and future energy technologies. The project strengthens national capacity in a strategic area.