Frozen linear and nonlinear light. Frozen light refers to the observation that light inside particular media can be much brighter than outside it, essentially because it bounced around many times before leaving. Such light has many advantages which have applications in optical signal processing, lasers, and in other optical devices. Until now frozen light has only been studied in a small range of geometries and only at low intensities. In this fundamental research project we will investigate fr ....Frozen linear and nonlinear light. Frozen light refers to the observation that light inside particular media can be much brighter than outside it, essentially because it bounced around many times before leaving. Such light has many advantages which have applications in optical signal processing, lasers, and in other optical devices. Until now frozen light has only been studied in a small range of geometries and only at low intensities. In this fundamental research project we will investigate frozen light, its generation and its properties at low and high intensities, systematically, and we will assess how it can be harnessed for potential applications.Read moreRead less
New quantitative methods in X-ray imaging using crystal optics. This project will enhance Australian science's international leadership in the area of x-ray imaging. This powerful type of X-ray imaging, which makes use of optical elements made of perfect crystals, is specially tailored to image samples which are invisible to conventional x-ray techniques. Such "extended x-ray vision" is extremely important for imaging in medicine, biology and materials science. Furthermore, we will train x-ray s ....New quantitative methods in X-ray imaging using crystal optics. This project will enhance Australian science's international leadership in the area of x-ray imaging. This powerful type of X-ray imaging, which makes use of optical elements made of perfect crystals, is specially tailored to image samples which are invisible to conventional x-ray techniques. Such "extended x-ray vision" is extremely important for imaging in medicine, biology and materials science. Furthermore, we will train x-ray scientists of tomorrow, whose expertise will allow Australia to capitalize on its investment in the Australian Synchrotron.Read moreRead less
Photonic Crystals and Microstructured Optical Fibres for Device Applications. Photonic crystals and microstructured optical fibres, which are amongst the most exciting fields of modern optics and photonics, are set to underpin developments in the next generation of ultrahigh-bandwidth communications systems, the functionalities of which will be truly all-optical. This project will bring together of two leading research groups in these areas, enhancing their collaboration, complementing their ex ....Photonic Crystals and Microstructured Optical Fibres for Device Applications. Photonic crystals and microstructured optical fibres, which are amongst the most exciting fields of modern optics and photonics, are set to underpin developments in the next generation of ultrahigh-bandwidth communications systems, the functionalities of which will be truly all-optical. This project will bring together of two leading research groups in these areas, enhancing their collaboration, complementing their expertise, and enabling them to develop new theoretical and computational tools to facilitate device applications. The program will coordinate research over a broad front and bring real benefits to young researchers in both France and Australia.Read moreRead less
Mechanical stresses in holey fibres. The development of holey fibres constitutes arguably the most exciting development in fibre optics in recent years. We will analyze the mechanical stresses in these fibres, which, together with the optical calculations and associated experiments, will allow us to design novel fibre-based devices. This will allow Nufern to develop new products based on holey fibres.
Low threshold photonic crystal microlasers. The aims of this project are to develop detailed finite-difference time-domain numerical models of active photonic crystal structures, and to use them to optimise the design and performance of photonic-crystal-based devices, especially micro-cavity lasers. Photonic crystal microlasers have the potential to provide very efficient and low noise laser sources in micron-sized cavities, however the simplistic structures used to realise these lasers to date ....Low threshold photonic crystal microlasers. The aims of this project are to develop detailed finite-difference time-domain numerical models of active photonic crystal structures, and to use them to optimise the design and performance of photonic-crystal-based devices, especially micro-cavity lasers. Photonic crystal microlasers have the potential to provide very efficient and low noise laser sources in micron-sized cavities, however the simplistic structures used to realise these lasers to date provide sub-optimal performance. Innovative designs with improved performance will be developed by tailoring both the optical and thermal properties of planar photonic crystal stuctures. Devices designed during this project will subsequently be fabricated at facilities in France.Read moreRead less
Novel effects of metamaterials on propagation and localisation of electromagnetic waves in photonic crystal structures. Australian science enjoys a long tradition of success and leadership in optical physics and, presently, Australia ranks amongst the leaders in nanophotonics. In order to maintain its position in a highly competitive field, new device designs, based on research into new concepts and new materials, is needed. This project explores the exciting new field of mixed media systems c ....Novel effects of metamaterials on propagation and localisation of electromagnetic waves in photonic crystal structures. Australian science enjoys a long tradition of success and leadership in optical physics and, presently, Australia ranks amongst the leaders in nanophotonics. In order to maintain its position in a highly competitive field, new device designs, based on research into new concepts and new materials, is needed. This project explores the exciting new field of mixed media systems comprising composite structures made from normal and meta-materials. It will deliver fundamental understanding of these systems and will explore potential new device applications based on this, in addition to enhancing research training needed to enhance Australia's international reputation in frontier technologies.Read moreRead less
Liquid light: aqueous bio-sensing in microstructured polymer optical fibres. This project builds on Australia's world-leading position in the development of microstructured polymer optical fibres, and applies the unique benefits they provide to for ultra- sensitive bio-sensing. By using the microstructure to simultaneously confine light and liquid, microstructured optical fibres provide a unique platform for ultra-sensitive spectroscopy and structural studies of biomolecules in solution. The wor ....Liquid light: aqueous bio-sensing in microstructured polymer optical fibres. This project builds on Australia's world-leading position in the development of microstructured polymer optical fibres, and applies the unique benefits they provide to for ultra- sensitive bio-sensing. By using the microstructure to simultaneously confine light and liquid, microstructured optical fibres provide a unique platform for ultra-sensitive spectroscopy and structural studies of biomolecules in solution. The work has profound implications both for fundamental science and applications, particularly in medical diagnostics.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0347462
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
Femtosecond laser micromachining facility. The proposed establishment of a femtosecond laser micromachining facility, with microdiagnostic capabilities, will facilitate a range of projects involving fabrication of submicron structures in metals, polymers, glasses, ceramics and crystalline materials. This facility, unique in Australia , will be comparable to the best such facilities in the world, enabling researchers to apply new microfabrication techniques to a range of photonic and optoelectro ....Femtosecond laser micromachining facility. The proposed establishment of a femtosecond laser micromachining facility, with microdiagnostic capabilities, will facilitate a range of projects involving fabrication of submicron structures in metals, polymers, glasses, ceramics and crystalline materials. This facility, unique in Australia , will be comparable to the best such facilities in the world, enabling researchers to apply new microfabrication techniques to a range of photonic and optoelectronic devices, including laser-written optical planar waveguides, nonlinear components and photonic bandgap structures , and various biomedical microstructures. Outcomes will include demonstration and development of novel photonic/optoelectronic devices and of new techniques, crucial to cost-effective manufacture of photonic components.Read moreRead less
Beyond metamaterials: new composites for transforming photonics. Composites containing metamaterials, new materials with extraordinary electromagnetic properties, are opening new horizons in optical physics, with the potential to deliver a range of unprecedented functionalities. This project will clarify the exotic physics of these revolutionary new materials, leading to new photonics applications.
Better vibrations: controlling light with sound in semiconductor chips. Combining new concepts in the theory of nonlinear optics with advanced experiments, this project aims to develop smart waveguides that bind sound and light tightly together. Laser light and sound waves seem worlds apart, but in the right conditions we can make them interact: sound can change the colour of light. Harnessing this control of light in tiny waveguides on semiconductor chips would enable the development of unique ....Better vibrations: controlling light with sound in semiconductor chips. Combining new concepts in the theory of nonlinear optics with advanced experiments, this project aims to develop smart waveguides that bind sound and light tightly together. Laser light and sound waves seem worlds apart, but in the right conditions we can make them interact: sound can change the colour of light. Harnessing this control of light in tiny waveguides on semiconductor chips would enable the development of unique and useful optical devices, but trapping sound in chips is tremendously difficult. By exploiting untapped material properties, the project seeks to break limits on the freedom and strength of interactions between light and sound. Project outcomes may establish a new class of optical chips for optical sensing and analysis in fields from security to communications to the biosciences.Read moreRead less