Quantum collision physics. Collisions on the atomic scale occur all around us. The range of applications that benefit from a quantitative knowledge of such collisions is enormous, and includes lasers, lighting, plasma displays, fusion energy, atmospheric modelling, and the astrophysical sciences.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100098
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$403,536.00
Summary
Can positronium fragment complex molecules? This project aims to explore whether positronium, which is produced in the body during positron emission tomography (PET), can damage DNA. PET scans are used to locate cancer. Positrons produce positronium, a matter-antimatter bound state, in the body during a PET scan. It is known that electrons can damage DNA by forming a transient negative ion that fragments DNA building blocks and it is suggested that positronium could damage DNA in the same way. T ....Can positronium fragment complex molecules? This project aims to explore whether positronium, which is produced in the body during positron emission tomography (PET), can damage DNA. PET scans are used to locate cancer. Positrons produce positronium, a matter-antimatter bound state, in the body during a PET scan. It is known that electrons can damage DNA by forming a transient negative ion that fragments DNA building blocks and it is suggested that positronium could damage DNA in the same way. This work will explore fragmentation of DNA nucleobases by positronium impact. The results of this work may contribute to new models of PET use.Read moreRead less
Atto-second atomic dynamics. Recent progress in short laser pulse generation allows one to capture electron dynamics on the atomic time scale. The project will aim to combine these new experimental capabilities with detailed quantum mechanical calculations and a new physical approach, which will improve dramatically our ability to gain new knowledge about fundamental atomic processes.
Correlation Effects in Gas-Phase Positron Scattering. This project will apply new, state-of-the-art experimental positron technology in order to gain a deeper understanding of correlations in positron-atom and/or positron-molecule collision systems. The ambitious experimental program will investigate several of the major remaining 'big' questions in positron science. It is expected that the experimental evidence provided for processes such as threshold ionisation, positron bound states, and othe ....Correlation Effects in Gas-Phase Positron Scattering. This project will apply new, state-of-the-art experimental positron technology in order to gain a deeper understanding of correlations in positron-atom and/or positron-molecule collision systems. The ambitious experimental program will investigate several of the major remaining 'big' questions in positron science. It is expected that the experimental evidence provided for processes such as threshold ionisation, positron bound states, and other positronic complexes, will stimulate theoretical calculations in the field and lead to new insights into a number of quantum scattering processes.Read moreRead less
Life is swirl in flatland: two dimensional turbulence in a superfluid. The project will create two-dimensional turbulence in a superfluid gas of atoms in order to observe the predicted, but counter-intuitive, growth of ordered structure out of chaotic motion. The observation of such behaviour would support its mechanism as the explanation for phenomena such as giant eddies in ocean currents and the Great Red Spot of Jupiter.
Low-energy electron transport in soft-condensed biological matter. To obtain optimal accuracy and selectivity of ionising radiation based technologies requires an understanding and quantification of the underpinning fundamental physical processes. This project will focus on developing accurate theoretical models of low-energy electron transport in biological matter which account for new physical mechanisms.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120100399
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Are the laws of physics changing? New methods for detecting variations in the fundamental constants. This project will identify new methods whereby scientists are much more likely to discover whether the fundamental constants of nature, such as the speed of light, are changing with time. This will help answer deep questions about whether there are extra dimensions beyond our three, the nature of dark energy, and whether string theory is correct.
Electron scattering and transport for plasma-liquid interactions. The project aims to address the emerging technologies associated with the interaction of plasmas with liquids and biological matter, including plasma medicine. The project expects to generate new knowledge on the role of electron-induced processes through the development of complete and accurate sets of microscopic cross-sections for electrons with biomolecules within tissue. This microscopic data will inform new microscopic model ....Electron scattering and transport for plasma-liquid interactions. The project aims to address the emerging technologies associated with the interaction of plasmas with liquids and biological matter, including plasma medicine. The project expects to generate new knowledge on the role of electron-induced processes through the development of complete and accurate sets of microscopic cross-sections for electrons with biomolecules within tissue. This microscopic data will inform new microscopic models for non-equilibrium electron transport in liquids and biological matter, and its coupling to plasmas. The expected outcomes of this project include progress towards the optimisation of safety/efficacy of future generation plasma medicine devices through detailed understanding of plasma-biological tissue interactions.Read moreRead less
From dark matter to atomic physics. Very little is known about dark matter except that it is present in our Universe in abundance. The project aims to guide the search for dark matter particles (and study related phenomena, for example, baryogenesis). The guiding idea is that these particles interact, albeit weakly, with atoms and hence are able to ionise them, which is a detectable process.
Many-body phenomena in atomic and subatomic physics. The project proposes research in the following areas: search for Dark Matter and Dark Energy using atomic experiments; an enhancement mechanism of baryogenesis based on the new class of gauge theory solutions; new quantum effects in strong gravitational fields and phenomena in non-black hole metric, which reproduce some properties of black holes; new phenomena in strong laser fields, which can help constructing high-frequency lasers; exchange- ....Many-body phenomena in atomic and subatomic physics. The project proposes research in the following areas: search for Dark Matter and Dark Energy using atomic experiments; an enhancement mechanism of baryogenesis based on the new class of gauge theory solutions; new quantum effects in strong gravitational fields and phenomena in non-black hole metric, which reproduce some properties of black holes; new phenomena in strong laser fields, which can help constructing high-frequency lasers; exchange-assisted tunneling; and, chaos-induced boost of electron recombination, charge transfer and weak interactions. The results based on proposed ideas will guide laboratory and astrophysical studies, help verify cosmological models and Unification theories.Read moreRead less