Investigating Near-Threshold Atomic and Molecular Collision Processes with Multiparameter Detection Techniques. We are proposing to perform state-of-the-art, electron impact excitation and ionization measurements on a range of atoms and molecules. The combination of new detector technology and innovative experimental design will enable measurements of near-threshold excitation and ionization in a number of important atomic and molecular systems. The measurements will have implications for the ....Investigating Near-Threshold Atomic and Molecular Collision Processes with Multiparameter Detection Techniques. We are proposing to perform state-of-the-art, electron impact excitation and ionization measurements on a range of atoms and molecules. The combination of new detector technology and innovative experimental design will enable measurements of near-threshold excitation and ionization in a number of important atomic and molecular systems. The measurements will have implications for the further development of atomic scattering theory, particularly the role of electron-electron correlations, and provide much needed absolute scattering information on the excitation of molecules which are of relevance to our atmosphere and various technological devices.Read moreRead less
Quantum Simulations with Dilute Gas Bose Einstein Condensates. Fundamental scientific research, such as we propose, is an important contributor to the long term wealth and well being of the Nation. It shapes our culture, our ways of thinking, and our beliefs. It also contributes directly, and in the shorter term, through the technology development that accompanies scientific research at the frontiers of knowledge. The students participating in this research will develop skills in innovation, int ....Quantum Simulations with Dilute Gas Bose Einstein Condensates. Fundamental scientific research, such as we propose, is an important contributor to the long term wealth and well being of the Nation. It shapes our culture, our ways of thinking, and our beliefs. It also contributes directly, and in the shorter term, through the technology development that accompanies scientific research at the frontiers of knowledge. The students participating in this research will develop skills in innovation, intellectual property management, and commercialisation - all of which are critical to the Nation's future.Read moreRead less
Black Hole Accretion: The Effects of Magnetic Fields and Radiation. This project represents a significant contribution by Australian researchers to one of Science's Big Questions: How do Black Holes channel gravitational energy into radiation at many different energies and into high speed outflows. It offers Australian Astronomy an opportunity to expand its endeavours into the rapidly growing and high profile areas of high-energy and computational astrophysics, injecting new expertise into the i ....Black Hole Accretion: The Effects of Magnetic Fields and Radiation. This project represents a significant contribution by Australian researchers to one of Science's Big Questions: How do Black Holes channel gravitational energy into radiation at many different energies and into high speed outflows. It offers Australian Astronomy an opportunity to expand its endeavours into the rapidly growing and high profile areas of high-energy and computational astrophysics, injecting new expertise into the interpretation of multi-wavelength data on accreting black holes. We will train a new cohort of internationally competitive students and early career researchers, equipping them with the advanced computational and modelling skills that are in increasingly higher demand in many technology-based industries.Read moreRead less
Burning Plasmas: resolving energetic particle physics for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). Fusion power is a zero greenhouse gas emitting technology, which if realised, offers millions of years of base-load electricity. This promise has prompted the international community to accelerate fusion energy development, principally via support of the next-step technology-enabling experiment, International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). Our project addresses a gr ....Burning Plasmas: resolving energetic particle physics for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). Fusion power is a zero greenhouse gas emitting technology, which if realised, offers millions of years of base-load electricity. This promise has prompted the international community to accelerate fusion energy development, principally via support of the next-step technology-enabling experiment, International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). Our project addresses a grand science challenge facing ITER and fusion power: can the products of reaction be kept confined and therefore self-heat the plasma? The answer will affect both the ITER program, and the viability of fusion power. This project provides a low-cost high-impact contribution to the science base for the $16 billion ITER project, whilst growing Australian capability in this strategically important technology.Read moreRead less
Studies of turbulence and coherent structures in quasi two-dimensional plasmas and fluids. One of the most celebrated but least understood complex systems in nature is turbulent flow. This cross-disciplinary project aims to contribute to basic scientific knowledge of a class of turbulent flows, known as quasi two-dimensional fluids, that typically exhibit self-organizing properties, stable sheared flow, and relatively weak dissipation. The significance lies in the proposed testing, by modelling ....Studies of turbulence and coherent structures in quasi two-dimensional plasmas and fluids. One of the most celebrated but least understood complex systems in nature is turbulent flow. This cross-disciplinary project aims to contribute to basic scientific knowledge of a class of turbulent flows, known as quasi two-dimensional fluids, that typically exhibit self-organizing properties, stable sheared flow, and relatively weak dissipation. The significance lies in the proposed testing, by modelling and simulation studies, of the well-grounded hypothesis that suppression of turbulence by sheared flow is a universal phenomenon in such fluids, and that it can be exploited to control transport of fluid constituents. Applications of this new knowledge will be developed.Read moreRead less
The mathematics of cold quantum matter. Ongoing advances in the experimental realisation of ultracold quantum matter play a leading role in the international effort towards the eventual realisation of quantum technology. This research project aims to build on and develop Australia's mathematical research strengths to explore and describe the enabling physics of cold quantum matter. This approach will further consolidate and enhance Australia's leadership in quantum science. The program of fundam ....The mathematics of cold quantum matter. Ongoing advances in the experimental realisation of ultracold quantum matter play a leading role in the international effort towards the eventual realisation of quantum technology. This research project aims to build on and develop Australia's mathematical research strengths to explore and describe the enabling physics of cold quantum matter. This approach will further consolidate and enhance Australia's leadership in quantum science. The program of fundamental research will also contribute to training mathematically talented students in a rapidly advancing area with the capacity to contribute to a wide range of problems, including the emerging technology of quantum devices.Read moreRead less
Singular photonics: twisted light and optical vortices.
This project will help to establish and support a world-leading research team in Australia in the field of singular photonics and the physics of twisted light; it will help to return the leading positions of the Australian physics in the field of singular optics, and it will initiate a design of a novel generation of photonic devices operating with vortex beams. The project will promote this field in order to enhance its rapid development ....Singular photonics: twisted light and optical vortices.
This project will help to establish and support a world-leading research team in Australia in the field of singular photonics and the physics of twisted light; it will help to return the leading positions of the Australian physics in the field of singular optics, and it will initiate a design of a novel generation of photonic devices operating with vortex beams. The project will promote this field in order to enhance its rapid development and facilitate the emergence of novel technologies in Australia; it will be combined with an extensive collaboration with top overseas groups attracting strong interest from industry.Read moreRead less
Physical properties of exactly solved quantum spin systems. Progress in understanding quantum spin systems in condensed matter physics can be greatly enhanced by the knowledge and understanding obtained from exactly solved models. This project will apply new techniques from the theory of exactly solved models to calculate the magnetic and thermal properties of quantum spin systems. The outcomes will include progress at the forefront of theoretical physics, with direct comparison with experimenta ....Physical properties of exactly solved quantum spin systems. Progress in understanding quantum spin systems in condensed matter physics can be greatly enhanced by the knowledge and understanding obtained from exactly solved models. This project will apply new techniques from the theory of exactly solved models to calculate the magnetic and thermal properties of quantum spin systems. The outcomes will include progress at the forefront of theoretical physics, with direct comparison with experimental results and strong predictive power for new experiments. The project will establish strong research links between Australia and Japan.Read moreRead less
ARC Complex Open Systems Research Network. Complexity is the common frontier in the physical, biological and social sciences. This Network will link specialists in all three sciences through five generic conceptual and mathematical theme activities. It will promote research into how subsystems self-organise into new emergent structures when assembled into an open, non-equilibrium system. Outcomes will include new technologies and software tools and deeper understanding of fundamental questions i ....ARC Complex Open Systems Research Network. Complexity is the common frontier in the physical, biological and social sciences. This Network will link specialists in all three sciences through five generic conceptual and mathematical theme activities. It will promote research into how subsystems self-organise into new emergent structures when assembled into an open, non-equilibrium system. Outcomes will include new technologies and software tools and deeper understanding of fundamental questions in science. An essential function of the network will be introducing researchers end users to new tools and broadening the horizons of graduate students.Read moreRead less
Statistical Mechanics of Classical Glasses. Glasses and ceramics can possess a combination of properties not available in other materials and thus they are of technological importance with rapidly developing applications. However a fundamental theoretical basis for describing these systems has been missing. The reason for this is that glasses are not in thermodynamic equilibrium, so the standard tools of equilibrium statistical mechanics cannot be rigorously applied . This project will make an i ....Statistical Mechanics of Classical Glasses. Glasses and ceramics can possess a combination of properties not available in other materials and thus they are of technological importance with rapidly developing applications. However a fundamental theoretical basis for describing these systems has been missing. The reason for this is that glasses are not in thermodynamic equilibrium, so the standard tools of equilibrium statistical mechanics cannot be rigorously applied . This project will make an important contribution towards building a strong local knowledge base by addressing the problem of understanding the glassy state. The knowledge base can then serve as a springboard for possible high tech applications in materials science and engineering.Read moreRead less