Non-Interferometric Phase Measurement of Exotic Waves. Phase is a key concept in all aspects of physics from biological microscopy through to length measurement and on to industrial inspection. The University of Melbourne has developed a new class of phase measurement techniques that possesses unprecedented flexibility. The aim of this project is to build on the international leadership of the Australian team so as to fully explore and develop these techniques.
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
Thulium doped silica-based optical fibres - towards the realisation of an optical amplifier. In the last decade the data capacity of a single optical fibre has grown way beyond all expectations. However, our ability to utilise the available capacity continues to keep pace with any advance. This project has the potential to add substantially to the transmission capacity by developing an optical amplifier at wavelengths which, although available within the fibre, can not currently be utilised. The ....Thulium doped silica-based optical fibres - towards the realisation of an optical amplifier. In the last decade the data capacity of a single optical fibre has grown way beyond all expectations. However, our ability to utilise the available capacity continues to keep pace with any advance. This project has the potential to add substantially to the transmission capacity by developing an optical amplifier at wavelengths which, although available within the fibre, can not currently be utilised. The focus of the project is the study of thulium doped silica-based fibres for amplification in the 1460 to 1530 nm wavelength region. Read moreRead less
Multi-dimensional optical data storage based on nanophotonics - the third generation optical data storage technology. The key-sector in high tech markets has been the photonics industry over the last decade, and it will continue to revolutionise our ways of information storage, processing and transfer for the next 10 to 20 years. The current project of high-capacity Petabyte optical data storage, i.e the third generation optical data storage, will prove to be the key technological innovation in ....Multi-dimensional optical data storage based on nanophotonics - the third generation optical data storage technology. The key-sector in high tech markets has been the photonics industry over the last decade, and it will continue to revolutionise our ways of information storage, processing and transfer for the next 10 to 20 years. The current project of high-capacity Petabyte optical data storage, i.e the third generation optical data storage, will prove to be the key technological innovation in photonics (one of the National Research Priorities), which will not only meet the growing demands of the consumer market, but also continue to drive the industry and create new markets. This is in line with the Priority Goals set by the Minister for Education, Science and Training, as it will put Australia into the unique position in the information age. Read moreRead less
Nano-photonic fabrication and storage using near-field super-resolving probes. The aim of the project is to develop a novel near-field storage device and nano-fabrication instruments, which are based on the super-resolution technique. As a result, the new storage device has a density 100 times of the current DVD technology. The nano-fabrication techniques can be used for all optics devices of nanometer resolution for fast information transferring. This project extends the key developments in t ....Nano-photonic fabrication and storage using near-field super-resolving probes. The aim of the project is to develop a novel near-field storage device and nano-fabrication instruments, which are based on the super-resolution technique. As a result, the new storage device has a density 100 times of the current DVD technology. The nano-fabrication techniques can be used for all optics devices of nanometer resolution for fast information transferring. This project extends the key developments in the field of nano-photonics and will put Australia in a uniquely strong position in the internationally competitive information technology field.Read moreRead less
Development of three-dimensional high-density optical data storage and photonic crystals in photo-polymers with a superresolution imaging system. The aim of this project is to develop a three-dimensional (3-D) high-density optical data storage method and photonic crystals in photo-polymers using a superresolution imaging system. As a result, it is possible to produce a 3-D data density of approximately 10 Tbits/cm3 in low-cost and erasable photo-polymers, equivalent to 3000 times the information ....Development of three-dimensional high-density optical data storage and photonic crystals in photo-polymers with a superresolution imaging system. The aim of this project is to develop a three-dimensional (3-D) high-density optical data storage method and photonic crystals in photo-polymers using a superresolution imaging system. As a result, it is possible to produce a 3-D data density of approximately 10 Tbits/cm3 in low-cost and erasable photo-polymers, equivalent to 3000 times the information in a current digital video disc (DVD). 3-D polymer-based photonic crystals will provide fast, low-cost and compact all-optics devices for optical computing technology. Consequently, the capacity and speed of information super-highways will be significantly increased, which enhances the internationally competitive ability of Australia in information technology.Read moreRead less
Developments in Optical Sciences. The applicant leads a highly motivated and successful group of young investigators doing internationally leading work on complete recovery of phase information. This work is able to provide new approaches to fundamental research problems at the basis of quantum mechanics, as well as leading to important new applications in biomedical and industrial imaging. The proposed work has already led to one start-up company and it is expected that the commercial developme ....Developments in Optical Sciences. The applicant leads a highly motivated and successful group of young investigators doing internationally leading work on complete recovery of phase information. This work is able to provide new approaches to fundamental research problems at the basis of quantum mechanics, as well as leading to important new applications in biomedical and industrial imaging. The proposed work has already led to one start-up company and it is expected that the commercial development will continue. The proposed program will lead to an involvement in an international space project, enhance synchrotron-based research in Australia and lead to new developments in microfabrication technologies.Read moreRead less
Active Control of Light for Nonlinear Photonic Devices. In free space, light travels in a straight line, but since ancient times mankind has always sought to direct its propagation. Controlling light is an enduring problem in modern photonic technologies. The ultimate goal is to actively manipulate light propagation in space and time with a great accuracy. With this project we will investigate the fundamental science of active control of light in periodic structures and will provide a unique pla ....Active Control of Light for Nonlinear Photonic Devices. In free space, light travels in a straight line, but since ancient times mankind has always sought to direct its propagation. Controlling light is an enduring problem in modern photonic technologies. The ultimate goal is to actively manipulate light propagation in space and time with a great accuracy. With this project we will investigate the fundamental science of active control of light in periodic structures and will provide a unique platform for exploration of ground breaking optical physics, ensuring Australia remains a world leader in the field. Precision manipulation of light will form the basis of new techniques for all-optical signal processing and computing, with great impact on Australian photonic and defense industries.Read moreRead less
Advancing x-ray imaging into new dimensions using interferometry and phase-space tomography. Synchrotron science and nanofabrication technologies are priority investment areas for most industrial countries including Australia. This research program takes advantages of recent progress in these fields and aims to advance x-ray imaging techniques of high sensitivity and low radiation dose and retrieve all extractable information of an object encoded in a wavefield. The development of these techniqu ....Advancing x-ray imaging into new dimensions using interferometry and phase-space tomography. Synchrotron science and nanofabrication technologies are priority investment areas for most industrial countries including Australia. This research program takes advantages of recent progress in these fields and aims to advance x-ray imaging techniques of high sensitivity and low radiation dose and retrieve all extractable information of an object encoded in a wavefield. The development of these techniques is critical to future opportunities of frontier discoveries of the biological, nano and atomic world. Its application includes structural biology, medical diagnosis, biomedicine, material sciences and many other fields.Read moreRead less
Electron Tomography of Electromagnetic Fields, Potentials and Sources. The proliferation of technologies incorporating magnetic materials with exquisitely fine structure demands precise characterization methods, which are able to keep pace with magnetic miniaturization. However, existing techniques are unable to directly image magnetic materials at high resolution in three dimensions. We will overcome this deficiency, by combining an exciting new methodology for the three-dimensional visualisati ....Electron Tomography of Electromagnetic Fields, Potentials and Sources. The proliferation of technologies incorporating magnetic materials with exquisitely fine structure demands precise characterization methods, which are able to keep pace with magnetic miniaturization. However, existing techniques are unable to directly image magnetic materials at high resolution in three dimensions. We will overcome this deficiency, by combining an exciting new methodology for the three-dimensional visualisation of electromagnetic fields, with the latest cutting-edge electron-microscopes, thereby facilitating advances in magnetic nano-manufacturing. The anticipated applications are vast, from patterned nanomagnets and magnetic proteins, through to semiconductors and superconductors.Read moreRead less