Superfluidity in strongly correlated ultra-cold atomic Fermi gases. Ultra-cold atoms are one of the most rapidly developing areas in twenty-first century physics. The scientific importance of studying strongly interacting Fermi gases is indicated by the fact that five Nobel prizes in physics were awarded in fields relevant to ultra-cold atoms in the last decade. Australia is now developing a reputation for world-class research in this new area, with new ultra-cold fermion experiments now underwa ....Superfluidity in strongly correlated ultra-cold atomic Fermi gases. Ultra-cold atoms are one of the most rapidly developing areas in twenty-first century physics. The scientific importance of studying strongly interacting Fermi gases is indicated by the fact that five Nobel prizes in physics were awarded in fields relevant to ultra-cold atoms in the last decade. Australia is now developing a reputation for world-class research in this new area, with new ultra-cold fermion experiments now underway in Melbourne. This project will build national and international cooperation in this field, provide world-class research training opportunities and advance Australia's leadership position. As well as improving scientific understanding, it has the potential to lead to new energy-saving technologies in the future.Read moreRead less
Predictions of nucleon-nucleus cross sections for all energies to 300 MeV based upon microscopic theories of N-A scattering. Cross sections from nucleon-nucleus scattering and reactions are central quantities of import in diverse fields of study. They are most important in evaluations for nucleon radiation therapy, in material science for radiation safety as well as damage to electronics, with use of accelerator technology for waste management as well as possible power generation. They are im ....Predictions of nucleon-nucleus cross sections for all energies to 300 MeV based upon microscopic theories of N-A scattering. Cross sections from nucleon-nucleus scattering and reactions are central quantities of import in diverse fields of study. They are most important in evaluations for nucleon radiation therapy, in material science for radiation safety as well as damage to electronics, with use of accelerator technology for waste management as well as possible power generation. They are important in fundamental physics problems as in nuclear astrophysics and in studies of radioactive nuclear ions. A theoretical framework is required to make reliable predictions of nucleon-nucleus scattering. This project seeks to establish predictive methods of analysis for all nucleon energies to 300 MeV. Read moreRead less
Advances in Nonperturbative Studies of Subatomic Physics. Fundamental research into physics always leads to unpredictable technological breakthroughs. Fundamental physics research has led to the development of transistors, world wide web, carbon dating, cancer treatments, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans, satellites and many applications too numerous to mention. The collaboration will allow Australia access to technologies, research infrastructure, expertise and intellectual knowledge that ....Advances in Nonperturbative Studies of Subatomic Physics. Fundamental research into physics always leads to unpredictable technological breakthroughs. Fundamental physics research has led to the development of transistors, world wide web, carbon dating, cancer treatments, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans, satellites and many applications too numerous to mention. The collaboration will allow Australia access to technologies, research infrastructure, expertise and intellectual knowledge that wouldn't be available otherwise. This will enable Australian institutions to pursue breakthrough science, to develop frontier technologies and to have a great impact in the international scientific community. It will also provide advance training in simulation and high-performance computing to postgraduates and research associates.Read moreRead less
Nonlinear Phenomena in RF Plasmas for Materials Processing Applications. This coordinated and experimental and theoretical proposal focuses on the investigation of the nonlinear phenomena in radio frequency plasma discharges suitable for material processing applications. The effect of time-varying and steady-state nonlinear plasma responses on the electromagnetic fields and the working parameters of the low-frequency inductively coupled plasmas will be investigated theoretically and experimenta ....Nonlinear Phenomena in RF Plasmas for Materials Processing Applications. This coordinated and experimental and theoretical proposal focuses on the investigation of the nonlinear phenomena in radio frequency plasma discharges suitable for material processing applications. The effect of time-varying and steady-state nonlinear plasma responses on the electromagnetic fields and the working parameters of the low-frequency inductively coupled plasmas will be investigated theoretically and experimentally. The expected outcome of the project will be used for optimizing the performance and stability of the low frequency inductively coupled plasma devices.Read moreRead less
Investigating Near-Threshold Atomic and Molecular Collision Processes with Multiparameter Detection Techniques. We are proposing to perform state-of-the-art, electron impact excitation and ionization measurements on a range of atoms and molecules. The combination of new detector technology and innovative experimental design will enable measurements of near-threshold excitation and ionization in a number of important atomic and molecular systems. The measurements will have implications for the ....Investigating Near-Threshold Atomic and Molecular Collision Processes with Multiparameter Detection Techniques. We are proposing to perform state-of-the-art, electron impact excitation and ionization measurements on a range of atoms and molecules. The combination of new detector technology and innovative experimental design will enable measurements of near-threshold excitation and ionization in a number of important atomic and molecular systems. The measurements will have implications for the further development of atomic scattering theory, particularly the role of electron-electron correlations, and provide much needed absolute scattering information on the excitation of molecules which are of relevance to our atmosphere and various technological devices.Read moreRead less
High energy neutrino astrophysics together with accretion flows into black holes. Neutrinos are very weakly interacting elementary particles that are opening a new view on astrophysical objects such as supernovae and active galactic nuclei (neutrino astronomy). Studies of astrophysical neutrino production, propagation and terrestrial detection will be made. This will shed light on the astrophysics of the sources as well as probing propagation effects such as neutrino oscillations. A distinct pro ....High energy neutrino astrophysics together with accretion flows into black holes. Neutrinos are very weakly interacting elementary particles that are opening a new view on astrophysical objects such as supernovae and active galactic nuclei (neutrino astronomy). Studies of astrophysical neutrino production, propagation and terrestrial detection will be made. This will shed light on the astrophysics of the sources as well as probing propagation effects such as neutrino oscillations. A distinct programme will study a large discrepancy in the energy balance for matter accreting into a black hole. Previous work of Buzzi and Hines will be extended to investigate whether plasma wave energy carried into the black hole can explain the discrepancy. Read moreRead less
Electronic and atomic collision theory. Recently there has been rapid progress in the field of electronic and atomic collisions. Consequently, many new problems have emerged of interest to science and industry. The proposed collaboration will determine the most promising theoretical techniques for their solution. The problems include, for example, electron
collisions with noble gases, cesium and mercury, of interest to the laser, lighting and plasma processing industries. Time-dependent and tim ....Electronic and atomic collision theory. Recently there has been rapid progress in the field of electronic and atomic collisions. Consequently, many new problems have emerged of interest to science and industry. The proposed collaboration will determine the most promising theoretical techniques for their solution. The problems include, for example, electron
collisions with noble gases, cesium and mercury, of interest to the laser, lighting and plasma processing industries. Time-dependent and time independent, relativistic and non-relativistic approaches will be considered, thereby determining the direction of the field for the foreseeable future.Read moreRead less
Design and Creation of Nanomechanical Architectures from Folding of Ultrathin Bi-layer Films. The project will achieve progress in designing, modelling, analyzing, and characterization of nanomechanical architectures that will have broad application in Australian science and industry. If successful, our research will revolutionize nanofabrication technology and nano-design methods. The project will lead to a scientific understanding of atomic interaction and stress field effect in the formation ....Design and Creation of Nanomechanical Architectures from Folding of Ultrathin Bi-layer Films. The project will achieve progress in designing, modelling, analyzing, and characterization of nanomechanical architectures that will have broad application in Australian science and industry. If successful, our research will revolutionize nanofabrication technology and nano-design methods. The project will lead to a scientific understanding of atomic interaction and stress field effect in the formation of nanosystems. The result of this research will significantly lower fabrication costs and enhance the potential of nanomaterials in various areas such as electronics and bioelectronics, telecommunication, medical instrumentations, and pharmaceutical design. Read moreRead less
Fast and slow dynamics at coupled magnetic interfaces: Theory and Experiment. Immediate needs for advances in materials for spin electronics and information technology require a deeper physical understanding of new materials in which interfaces and nanometre dimensions determine properties. Interfacial exchange coupling between magnetic layers is a key issue in the formation of many multilayer structures, and several important issues remain unresolved. This is a proposal for a joint theoretical ....Fast and slow dynamics at coupled magnetic interfaces: Theory and Experiment. Immediate needs for advances in materials for spin electronics and information technology require a deeper physical understanding of new materials in which interfaces and nanometre dimensions determine properties. Interfacial exchange coupling between magnetic layers is a key issue in the formation of many multilayer structures, and several important issues remain unresolved. This is a proposal for a joint theoretical and experimental study of technologically important magnetic interfaces by groups at Universities of Florence, Perugia, Leeds and Western Australia.Read moreRead less
Multiple atomic photoionization in superstrong electromagnetic field. Correlation, or entanglement, of electrons in matter governs many important phenomena in nature, such as chemical reactions, superconductivity and ferromagnetism. However, it is the many-electron processes in atoms which allow the study of electron correlations most clearly. In this project we will investigate such a process of two-electron atomic photoionization by an intense laser pulse. We will combine advanced theoretical ....Multiple atomic photoionization in superstrong electromagnetic field. Correlation, or entanglement, of electrons in matter governs many important phenomena in nature, such as chemical reactions, superconductivity and ferromagnetism. However, it is the many-electron processes in atoms which allow the study of electron correlations most clearly. In this project we will investigate such a process of two-electron atomic photoionization by an intense laser pulse. We will combine advanced theoretical and experimental tools with the aim of understanding how the electron correlation interplays with the superstrong electromagnetic field. This will provide insight into fundamental processes of interaction of intense laser pulses with matter which are important in a wide range of applications.Read moreRead less