Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210101026
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$438,835.00
Summary
Atomic physics as a probe for fundamental physics and dark matter. The Standard Model is extremely effective at describing the fundamental particles and interactions, but is known to be incomplete. This project aims to uncover new signatures of physics beyond the Standard Model that may be observed in atomic experiments. This project expects to generate new knowledge to help unravel the mystery of dark matter, which accounts for the majority (85%) of the matter in the universe. Expected outcomes ....Atomic physics as a probe for fundamental physics and dark matter. The Standard Model is extremely effective at describing the fundamental particles and interactions, but is known to be incomplete. This project aims to uncover new signatures of physics beyond the Standard Model that may be observed in atomic experiments. This project expects to generate new knowledge to help unravel the mystery of dark matter, which accounts for the majority (85%) of the matter in the universe. Expected outcomes include extending theoretical atomic physics methods, calculating new observable atomic effects, and combining these with experiments to probe fundamental physics and search for dark matter. These outcomes would contribute to the expanding knowledge in the fields of atomic and fundamental physics.Read moreRead less
Electron scattering and transport for plasma-liquid interactions. The project aims to address the emerging technologies associated with the interaction of plasmas with liquids and biological matter, including plasma medicine. The project expects to generate new knowledge on the role of electron-induced processes through the development of complete and accurate sets of microscopic cross-sections for electrons with biomolecules within tissue. This microscopic data will inform new microscopic model ....Electron scattering and transport for plasma-liquid interactions. The project aims to address the emerging technologies associated with the interaction of plasmas with liquids and biological matter, including plasma medicine. The project expects to generate new knowledge on the role of electron-induced processes through the development of complete and accurate sets of microscopic cross-sections for electrons with biomolecules within tissue. This microscopic data will inform new microscopic models for non-equilibrium electron transport in liquids and biological matter, and its coupling to plasmas. The expected outcomes of this project include progress towards the optimisation of safety/efficacy of future generation plasma medicine devices through detailed understanding of plasma-biological tissue interactions.Read moreRead less
Low-energy electron transport in soft-condensed biological matter. To obtain optimal accuracy and selectivity of ionising radiation based technologies requires an understanding and quantification of the underpinning fundamental physical processes. This project will focus on developing accurate theoretical models of low-energy electron transport in biological matter which account for new physical mechanisms.
Non-equilibrium presolvation electron processes at the gas-liquid interface. The interaction of low-temperature plasma electrons with liquids has served as a reducing agent in various technological applications in water treatment, agriculture, biofuels and medicine. Predictive control of the plasma-liquid interface is essential to unlocking the potential of these applications, and this has been limited by the absence of the relevant non-equilibrium transport theory describing electrons at the pl ....Non-equilibrium presolvation electron processes at the gas-liquid interface. The interaction of low-temperature plasma electrons with liquids has served as a reducing agent in various technological applications in water treatment, agriculture, biofuels and medicine. Predictive control of the plasma-liquid interface is essential to unlocking the potential of these applications, and this has been limited by the absence of the relevant non-equilibrium transport theory describing electrons at the plasma-liquid interface together with fundamental data describing electron interactions with liquids. The project will develop a state of the art presolvation electron transport model informed by world first measurements of electron cross-sections for radicals and liquids and apply it to model plasma electrochemistry processes.Read moreRead less
Fundamental physics in distant galaxies. The fundamental constants of Nature are assumed to characterise physics in our entire Universe, but are they really the same everywhere and throughout its entire 14 billion year history? This project will answer this question with the first large-scale, purpose-built observational programme on one of the world's biggest and best telescopes.
Time-space resolved photoelectron emission to control molecular processes. This project aims to resolve simultaneously the timing and space localisation of photoelectron emission from atoms and molecules as a means for targeted breaking of molecular bonds. Existing techniques determine the timing and spatial characteristics of photoemission independently. The simultaneous time-space resolution will allow for the precise manipulation of photoelectrons by a sequence of phase-stabilised laser pulse ....Time-space resolved photoelectron emission to control molecular processes. This project aims to resolve simultaneously the timing and space localisation of photoelectron emission from atoms and molecules as a means for targeted breaking of molecular bonds. Existing techniques determine the timing and spatial characteristics of photoemission independently. The simultaneous time-space resolution will allow for the precise manipulation of photoelectrons by a sequence of phase-stabilised laser pulses, a technique known as coherent control. The benefit of this project will be the coherently controlled breaking of molecular bonds in oxide, carbonyl and hydrocarbon molecules. The outcome will be a significant step forward in driving complex photochemical reactions in industry.Read moreRead less
Positrons in biosystems. This project aims to improve our understanding of the damage processes in Positron Emission Tomography (PET). PET is a widely used medical imaging technique, but there are gaps in our understanding of the underlying interactions, in particular in the case of the radiation damage induced during the process. By using new models incorporating accurate descriptions of interactions processes, verified by experimental measurement, this project will develop a new model of posit ....Positrons in biosystems. This project aims to improve our understanding of the damage processes in Positron Emission Tomography (PET). PET is a widely used medical imaging technique, but there are gaps in our understanding of the underlying interactions, in particular in the case of the radiation damage induced during the process. By using new models incorporating accurate descriptions of interactions processes, verified by experimental measurement, this project will develop a new model of positron transport in PET. The project will allow validation of predictions from the model by undertaking experiments in liquid water.Read moreRead less
Ultrafast molecular imaging with intense few-cycle laser pulses. The goal of this project is to record a series of frame-by-frame images of molecules undergoing transformations on ultra-fast (femtosecond) time-scale making a molecular movie. This project will employ intense, ultra-short laser pulses to illuminate the evolving molecules, while detecting resulting photons, electrons and ions to reconstruct the changing molecular structure.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130101628
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Efficient high-order harmonic generation using dissociating molecular ions with controlled inter-nuclear separation. This project aims to use extremly short laser pulses to generate strong coherent light of attosecond duration. We expect to produce more attosecond XUV light with the same pump energy by using inter-nuclear distance controlled molecules as generating medium.
Heavy atoms and ions and precision tests of fundamental physics. This project aims to further the understanding of the structure of heavy atoms through development and application of state-of-the-art many-electron methods. Atomic physics is undergoing a period of rapid growth with a new generation of experiments underway across different areas in fundamental physics. This includes testing particle physics at low energies, opening a new realm of discovery with the synthesis and interrogation of s ....Heavy atoms and ions and precision tests of fundamental physics. This project aims to further the understanding of the structure of heavy atoms through development and application of state-of-the-art many-electron methods. Atomic physics is undergoing a period of rapid growth with a new generation of experiments underway across different areas in fundamental physics. This includes testing particle physics at low energies, opening a new realm of discovery with the synthesis and interrogation of superheavy elements, and the development of atomic clocks of ever-increasing precision. The expected benefit will be to increase capability in fundamental physics tests and in the development of precision atomic instruments.Read moreRead less