Uncovering highly excited states of quantum three body systems using new technological approaches. Experimental studies of the fundamental structure of quantum three body systems are proposed to uncover long-lived highly-excited states. Ultra-fast timing technology applied to a variant of electron time-of-flight studies will form the basis of the measurement system to be used at a world-class synchrotron light source.
Isomers as Probes of Nuclear Structure and Sources of Energetic Photons. The aim is to study exotic long-lived states in nuclei using accelerator facilities in Australia and overseas. This involves the development of sensitive instrumentation and will lead to a new understanding of how such states are formed, of how they may be used to identify the structure of exotic nuclei, and on the limits of stability of nuclei in general. Isomers represent a special form of nuclear matter and they play a r ....Isomers as Probes of Nuclear Structure and Sources of Energetic Photons. The aim is to study exotic long-lived states in nuclei using accelerator facilities in Australia and overseas. This involves the development of sensitive instrumentation and will lead to a new understanding of how such states are formed, of how they may be used to identify the structure of exotic nuclei, and on the limits of stability of nuclei in general. Isomers represent a special form of nuclear matter and they play a role in the formation of the elements in stellar nucleosynthesis. Stimulated isomer decay may ultimately lead to new forms of energy storage and gamma-ray lasers.Read moreRead less
Quantum-number purity and limits to the formation of nuclear K-isomers. This internationally competitive research will result in new knowledge and the substantiation of Australian research in the nuclear structure area, as well as adding to our role in international scientific collaborations. The research is an important component of the local expertise in nuclear science established using Australian facilities which provide the major training ground for basic research, a variety of application ....Quantum-number purity and limits to the formation of nuclear K-isomers. This internationally competitive research will result in new knowledge and the substantiation of Australian research in the nuclear structure area, as well as adding to our role in international scientific collaborations. The research is an important component of the local expertise in nuclear science established using Australian facilities which provide the major training ground for basic research, a variety of applications and which also provide a source of strategically important expertise.
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Alpha-particle cluster structure in light nuclei: helping and hindering fusion? A new, efficient detector system will be designed and built to answer a question never before asked - can the special structures of carbon, resembling three alpha-particles, assist rather than hinder the process of fusion with heavy nuclei? This question has arisen through my recent work published in Nature, which showed that in reactions with heavy nuclei, paradoxically both fusion and break-up into alpha-particles ....Alpha-particle cluster structure in light nuclei: helping and hindering fusion? A new, efficient detector system will be designed and built to answer a question never before asked - can the special structures of carbon, resembling three alpha-particles, assist rather than hinder the process of fusion with heavy nuclei? This question has arisen through my recent work published in Nature, which showed that in reactions with heavy nuclei, paradoxically both fusion and break-up into alpha-particles are more likely for carbon than for neighbouring nuclei. These results defy interpretation within the standard theory of nuclear fusion. The project will help to maintain Australia's world-leading position in the study of nuclear fusion.
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Reaching the superheavy elements: a new approach with a novel ultra-sensitive detector array. Our project aims to build the knowledge base underpinning the creation of new heavy elements and isotopes. This first direct investigation of the hoped-for benefits of using radioactive beams will enhance the strong reputation of Australian research in the fundamental subject of nuclear fusion. The unique and sophisticated scientific instrument to be developed will enhance the capability of our RIEF-fun ....Reaching the superheavy elements: a new approach with a novel ultra-sensitive detector array. Our project aims to build the knowledge base underpinning the creation of new heavy elements and isotopes. This first direct investigation of the hoped-for benefits of using radioactive beams will enhance the strong reputation of Australian research in the fundamental subject of nuclear fusion. The unique and sophisticated scientific instrument to be developed will enhance the capability of our RIEF-funded fusion product separator at the ANU, and use at overseas radioactive beam accelerators will showcase Australian technological achievement. This early participation in exciting, leading-edge developments will help Australian researchers to make full use of future, intense radioactive beam facilities, both in pure and applied research. Read moreRead less
Sub-picosecond studies of matter using intense light from a Free Electron Laser. An Australian research group will use their new ultra-fast timing technology in combination with a new, extremely bright light source, the FERMI Free Electron Laser, Italy. FERMI makes picosecond wide light pulses - the timing technology measures times significantly shorter than a nanosecond. In combination, the way intense light effects the structure of atoms & molecules is studied, leading to an in-depth understa ....Sub-picosecond studies of matter using intense light from a Free Electron Laser. An Australian research group will use their new ultra-fast timing technology in combination with a new, extremely bright light source, the FERMI Free Electron Laser, Italy. FERMI makes picosecond wide light pulses - the timing technology measures times significantly shorter than a nanosecond. In combination, the way intense light effects the structure of atoms & molecules is studied, leading to an in-depth understanding of the processes involved. The new detector technology will be characterised using an electron recycling spectrometer, a new method for making electron beams of a particular energy by storing electrons in a racetrack orbit.Read moreRead less
Probing Electron Dynamics in the Molecular Frame. The outcome of this project will be an improved understanding of the molecular fragmentation process, enhancing our ability to control chemical reactions through a better knowledge of the mechanisms which drive them. By providing data which will stimulate the development of theory it will encourage creativity and innovation. Results will contribute to building a strong foundation in the fundamental physical sciences and lead to advances in area ....Probing Electron Dynamics in the Molecular Frame. The outcome of this project will be an improved understanding of the molecular fragmentation process, enhancing our ability to control chemical reactions through a better knowledge of the mechanisms which drive them. By providing data which will stimulate the development of theory it will encourage creativity and innovation. Results will contribute to building a strong foundation in the fundamental physical sciences and lead to advances in areas ranging from quantum chemistry, the chemistry of planetary atmospheres to mechanisms responsible for radiation damage in biological systems.Read moreRead less
Revealing the mechanism of heavy ion stopping at high energies. Several fundamental aspects of heavy ion stopping in matter, which is important for many technological and medical applications, are not understood. This includes the charge dependence of ion stopping known as Barkas effect, the Bloch-contribution to the stopping cross-section, and charge exchange processes. In contrast to other studies, the use of crystalline materials with well-defined atom locations and the application of new sop ....Revealing the mechanism of heavy ion stopping at high energies. Several fundamental aspects of heavy ion stopping in matter, which is important for many technological and medical applications, are not understood. This includes the charge dependence of ion stopping known as Barkas effect, the Bloch-contribution to the stopping cross-section, and charge exchange processes. In contrast to other studies, the use of crystalline materials with well-defined atom locations and the application of new sophisticated models will allow the separation of these related phenomena, so that they can be studied individually. This will reveal details of the physical mechanisms governing the energy dissipation by fast heavy ions in matter.
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Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882531
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,000.00
Summary
Quantum Limited Single Atom Detectors. The technology that has shaped our society, solid state diodes, transistors and computer chips is based on our ability to manipulate the average quantum properties of materials such as semiconductors. This physics has been well understood for decades. Many technologies that will shape our societies in this century will be based on our ability to manipulate quantum systems precisely, an area that is the focus of quantum atom optics. The detectors requested i ....Quantum Limited Single Atom Detectors. The technology that has shaped our society, solid state diodes, transistors and computer chips is based on our ability to manipulate the average quantum properties of materials such as semiconductors. This physics has been well understood for decades. Many technologies that will shape our societies in this century will be based on our ability to manipulate quantum systems precisely, an area that is the focus of quantum atom optics. The detectors requested in this proposal will ensure that Australia remains competitive in the technologies that will emerge from the new field of quantum atom optics.Read moreRead less
The first pumped atom laser. Optical lasers, the source of coherent light waves, have enabled the development of photonic science and technology. Recent realization of a new ultra-cold state of matter - a Bose-Einstein condensate - has led to the creation of prototype atom lasers. These are sources of coherent waves of matter for next generation quantum photonics and atom optics. The existing prototypes are analogous to an optical laser that has been turned off, with the atoms source quickly ....The first pumped atom laser. Optical lasers, the source of coherent light waves, have enabled the development of photonic science and technology. Recent realization of a new ultra-cold state of matter - a Bose-Einstein condensate - has led to the creation of prototype atom lasers. These are sources of coherent waves of matter for next generation quantum photonics and atom optics. The existing prototypes are analogous to an optical laser that has been turned off, with the atoms source quickly draining. This experimental project is devoted to the development and construction of a truly continuous pumped atom laser.Read moreRead less