Harnessing opto-acoustic interactions for on-chip optical isolation. The project aims to develop practical on-chip photonic isolators – one-way optical circuits – by harnessing light–sound interactions in a nanoscale platform novel in its materials, design and mechanism. The project should develop new nanofabrication techniques and transform understanding of the physics of one-way photonic processes. Expected outcomes include enhanced design and fabrication capabilities for photonic circuits, ul ....Harnessing opto-acoustic interactions for on-chip optical isolation. The project aims to develop practical on-chip photonic isolators – one-way optical circuits – by harnessing light–sound interactions in a nanoscale platform novel in its materials, design and mechanism. The project should develop new nanofabrication techniques and transform understanding of the physics of one-way photonic processes. Expected outcomes include enhanced design and fabrication capabilities for photonic circuits, ultra-compact, high-performance optical isolators and circulators that shield sensitive optical components, and a suite of theoretical tools for describing propagation and noise in these devices. These new high performance photonic circuits should benefit telecommunications, radar, defence, and sensing applications. Read moreRead less
Shedding Light on the Proton Radius Puzzle with Ultracold Helium. This project aims to shed light on an outstanding discrepancy in physics known as the proton radius puzzle, first seen in hydrogen but now being studied in helium. Capitalising on existing international collaboration between experiment and theory to exploit the advantages of ultracold helium, this project aims to determine the isotopic nuclear charge radius difference with unprecedented precision, using our state-of-the-art quantu ....Shedding Light on the Proton Radius Puzzle with Ultracold Helium. This project aims to shed light on an outstanding discrepancy in physics known as the proton radius puzzle, first seen in hydrogen but now being studied in helium. Capitalising on existing international collaboration between experiment and theory to exploit the advantages of ultracold helium, this project aims to determine the isotopic nuclear charge radius difference with unprecedented precision, using our state-of-the-art quantum electrodynamic theory. This will not only answer fundamental questions about helium atomic structure, but may also reveal new physics beyond the current Standard Model. The validation of atomic structure theory should provide benefits in applications including the realisation of more accurate atomic clocks.Read moreRead less
Quantum tunnelling of composite systems. This project aims to investigate profound physics problem of quantum tunnelling of composite systems such as atoms, molecules and atomic nuclei. Using new theoretical concepts and tools to describe low-energy fusion between atomic nuclei, this project is expected to generate new knowledge and improve understanding of nuclear reactions, the formation of elements in the cosmos, and underpin future nuclear technologies. The project aims to leverage Australia ....Quantum tunnelling of composite systems. This project aims to investigate profound physics problem of quantum tunnelling of composite systems such as atoms, molecules and atomic nuclei. Using new theoretical concepts and tools to describe low-energy fusion between atomic nuclei, this project is expected to generate new knowledge and improve understanding of nuclear reactions, the formation of elements in the cosmos, and underpin future nuclear technologies. The project aims to leverage Australian capacity in quantum and nuclear theory to produce the first predictive model of quantum tunnelling with a modern microscopic treatment of nuclear dynamics. It will provide new theoretical guidance to experimental programs with exotic beams and focussing on nucleosynthesis.Read moreRead less
Exploiting new breakthroughs in understanding nuclear fission. This project aims to characterise and quantify the quantum energy levels crucial in determining the mass and energy distributions of nuclear fission products, which recent results show are far from understood. Combining new techniques and concepts, distributions will be measured down to the fission barrier energies, maximising sensitivity to quantum effects. The project exploits newly enhanced Australian accelerator infrastructure, w ....Exploiting new breakthroughs in understanding nuclear fission. This project aims to characterise and quantify the quantum energy levels crucial in determining the mass and energy distributions of nuclear fission products, which recent results show are far from understood. Combining new techniques and concepts, distributions will be measured down to the fission barrier energies, maximising sensitivity to quantum effects. The project exploits newly enhanced Australian accelerator infrastructure, world-best detector capabilities, and the latest findings in reactions of light cluster nuclei. The results will test new high-profile quantum many-body predictions and guide fundamental model developments, with implications ranging from future energy to understanding production of heavy elements in the universe.Read moreRead less
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
Optimising lasers for ablation of structurally complex solid non-metals. This project aims to take the latest developments in fibre laser technology to create a new ablation system for precision cutting and reshaping of structurally complex non-metal materials. Fibre lasers provide high quality beams, high average power, and precise pulse timing. Guided by the composition of the material and its response to incident mid-infrared light, the project will create a tailored laser beam to provide ac ....Optimising lasers for ablation of structurally complex solid non-metals. This project aims to take the latest developments in fibre laser technology to create a new ablation system for precision cutting and reshaping of structurally complex non-metal materials. Fibre lasers provide high quality beams, high average power, and precise pulse timing. Guided by the composition of the material and its response to incident mid-infrared light, the project will create a tailored laser beam to provide accurate and high-rate ablation. The expected outcomes include minimal damage to the surrounding area and a level of precision not possible with any mechanical alternative. The project will provide long term benefits to the aerospace and healthcare industries and, be a boost to Australia’s manufacturing sector.Read moreRead less
Formation and manipulation of ferroelectric domains with ultrafast light. This project aims to study the fundamental processes governing interaction of ultrafast light pulses with an important class of ferroelectric materials. In particular, it will investigate the physics of light-induced ferroelectric domain reversal in various types of ferroelectrics. Project outcomes will lead to the development of a novel, ultrafast laser domain patterning technique for application in nonlinear photonics, o ....Formation and manipulation of ferroelectric domains with ultrafast light. This project aims to study the fundamental processes governing interaction of ultrafast light pulses with an important class of ferroelectric materials. In particular, it will investigate the physics of light-induced ferroelectric domain reversal in various types of ferroelectrics. Project outcomes will lead to the development of a novel, ultrafast laser domain patterning technique for application in nonlinear photonics, optical memories, and photovoltaics. This technique will be employed to create the first example of three-dimensional domain patterns for versatile wave interactions. This project expects to expand Australia's knowledge in ultrafast laser engineering of materials and contribute towards its rapid uptake by industries, with great potential for commercialisation.Read moreRead less
Unlocking exceptional properties through pressure-induced phase transitions. The aim of this project is to produce novel hybrid boron nitride materials by utilizing advanced green techniques of mechanochemistry and high-pressure methods to achieve a phase transition from hexagonal to wurtzite structure. The development of these materials is critical in tackling contemporary environmental and technological issues, particularly those linked to cooling systems in electronic devices and batteries. T ....Unlocking exceptional properties through pressure-induced phase transitions. The aim of this project is to produce novel hybrid boron nitride materials by utilizing advanced green techniques of mechanochemistry and high-pressure methods to achieve a phase transition from hexagonal to wurtzite structure. The development of these materials is critical in tackling contemporary environmental and technological issues, particularly those linked to cooling systems in electronic devices and batteries. The outcome of this study will be new nanomaterials with exceptional mechanical, thermal, and electronic properties, as well as new insights into mechanical-force induced green chemistry and an environmentally friendly synthesis process, and help with heat management, energy preservation, and advanced manufacturing.Read moreRead less