Implementing large-scale solid-state quantum computation. The goal of quantum computing research is to harness the properties of quantum mechanics to build computers that are exponentially more powerful than the computers of today. Along the way, many spin-off technologies for conventional computing and nanotechnology are expected. Realising the quantum computing dream is a daunting experimental challenge requiring both theoretical assurance that it is possible in principle, and theoretical guid ....Implementing large-scale solid-state quantum computation. The goal of quantum computing research is to harness the properties of quantum mechanics to build computers that are exponentially more powerful than the computers of today. Along the way, many spin-off technologies for conventional computing and nanotechnology are expected. Realising the quantum computing dream is a daunting experimental challenge requiring both theoretical assurance that it is possible in principle, and theoretical guidance as to the best method. We seek to provide this theoretical support for solid-state systems, and broaden the range of problems that such systems are demonstrably suited to tackle.Read moreRead less
Atom Location by Channelling Enhanced Microanalysis using Inner-shell Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy. The technique of Atom Location by Channelling Enhanced Microanalysis (ALCHEMI) has been explored extensively using Electron Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) measurements by many authors. The extension of this method to Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS) is difficult due to the more complicated formulation of inner-shell ionization required under such experimental conditions. Issues such ....Atom Location by Channelling Enhanced Microanalysis using Inner-shell Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy. The technique of Atom Location by Channelling Enhanced Microanalysis (ALCHEMI) has been explored extensively using Electron Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) measurements by many authors. The extension of this method to Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS) is difficult due to the more complicated formulation of inner-shell ionization required under such experimental conditions. Issues such as the "delocalization" of the ionization interaction and the significance of channelling of the scattered electron need to be addressed so that this method may be generally applicable. It is the aim of this project to extend this commonly used method to the topical field of EELS.Read moreRead less
The phase and inverse scattering problem for electrons multiply scattered by non-periodic solids. Theoretical methods for the inversion of multiple scattering of electrons in non-periodic solids will be obtained. This will vastly extend the range of utility of atomic resolution electron microscopy and electron tomography, where single scattering conditions are usually assumed. We will further develop our recent novel solutions to the phase problem from images and diffraction patterns (needed as ....The phase and inverse scattering problem for electrons multiply scattered by non-periodic solids. Theoretical methods for the inversion of multiple scattering of electrons in non-periodic solids will be obtained. This will vastly extend the range of utility of atomic resolution electron microscopy and electron tomography, where single scattering conditions are usually assumed. We will further develop our recent novel solutions to the phase problem from images and diffraction patterns (needed as a prelude to the inversion) that are robust in the presence of discontinuities in the phase (such as vortices). These phase retrieval methods will be useful not only for problems in electron optics but also in visible, x-ray, neutron and atom optics.Read moreRead less
Atomic resolution imaging and spectroscopy. This project will enhance Australia's reputation in atomic resolution imaging, positioning Australia as a major contributor to significant world research outcomes in the physical sciences. It contributes to the quality of our culture through the advancement of knowledge through the solution of problems of high scientific merit, provides training at the postdoctoral level and will produce several PhD graduates of the highest quality. This project streng ....Atomic resolution imaging and spectroscopy. This project will enhance Australia's reputation in atomic resolution imaging, positioning Australia as a major contributor to significant world research outcomes in the physical sciences. It contributes to the quality of our culture through the advancement of knowledge through the solution of problems of high scientific merit, provides training at the postdoctoral level and will produce several PhD graduates of the highest quality. This project strengthens collaborative international links with one of the worlds leading research facilities located at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The potential practical applications of this work should lead to direct economic benefits to Australia.Read moreRead less
Imaging in three dimensions beyond the nanoscale. After two decades of research the first wave of applications in nanotechnology and nanobiology is breaking. The economic stakes are high: nanostructured electronics and photonics will be the next epoch after transistors (1947) and the microprocessor (1971), and designer therapies and drugs will be in high demand. Immediately key to further progress in both areas is the ability to characterize structure in three dimensions at and beyond the nanosc ....Imaging in three dimensions beyond the nanoscale. After two decades of research the first wave of applications in nanotechnology and nanobiology is breaking. The economic stakes are high: nanostructured electronics and photonics will be the next epoch after transistors (1947) and the microprocessor (1971), and designer therapies and drugs will be in high demand. Immediately key to further progress in both areas is the ability to characterize structure in three dimensions at and beyond the nanoscale. This research project places Australia at the forefront in this endeavour, builds on the national knowledge and skills base in atomic resolution imaging and expands international collaborative research links.Read moreRead less
Many-body problems. The discovery of new superheavy elements, chemical evolution of the Universe, nuclear reactions deep under the Coulomb barrier in nuclear reactors, in stars and during the Big Bang Nucleosynthesis, accuracy of precise atomic clocks, consistency of the Standard Model in strong fields are among the most vital problems of modern science. This project suggests several new ideas in these areas, which are based on knowledge accumulated in different research fields. The outcomes of ....Many-body problems. The discovery of new superheavy elements, chemical evolution of the Universe, nuclear reactions deep under the Coulomb barrier in nuclear reactors, in stars and during the Big Bang Nucleosynthesis, accuracy of precise atomic clocks, consistency of the Standard Model in strong fields are among the most vital problems of modern science. This project suggests several new ideas in these areas, which are based on knowledge accumulated in different research fields. The outcomes of the research will help Australia to build up a "critical mass" of scientific expertise, which is necessary to place and keep it among leaders in these frontier areas of physics, and to train the next generation of experts in these fields.Read moreRead less
Quantum and Geometric Aspects of Gauge Theories, Supergravity and String Theory. A central problem of modern high-energy physics is the unification of gravity with the other fundamental interactions that is consistent at the quantum level. Led by a team of internationally recognized experts, this project will yield breakthroughs in supergravity and string theory - crucial ingredients of current approaches to unification. As well as putting Australia at the forefront of this mainstream activity, ....Quantum and Geometric Aspects of Gauge Theories, Supergravity and String Theory. A central problem of modern high-energy physics is the unification of gravity with the other fundamental interactions that is consistent at the quantum level. Led by a team of internationally recognized experts, this project will yield breakthroughs in supergravity and string theory - crucial ingredients of current approaches to unification. As well as putting Australia at the forefront of this mainstream activity, a fertile environment will be provided for the training of graduate students. They will be ideally placed to lead Australia's involvement in the revolution sparked by the expected experimental confirmation of supersymmetry with the Large Hadron Collider. Read moreRead less
Progress in Supersymmetry and Supergravity: Continuing Einstein's Legacy. 2005 is the International Year of Physics in recognition of Einstein's revolutionary contributions. His unfinished quest for a unified description of Nature has become the hottest topic in modern physics. Led by a team of internationally recognized experts, this project will yield breakthroughs in supersymmetry and supergravity - crucial ingredients of current approaches to unification. As well as putting Australia at the ....Progress in Supersymmetry and Supergravity: Continuing Einstein's Legacy. 2005 is the International Year of Physics in recognition of Einstein's revolutionary contributions. His unfinished quest for a unified description of Nature has become the hottest topic in modern physics. Led by a team of internationally recognized experts, this project will yield breakthroughs in supersymmetry and supergravity - crucial ingredients of current approaches to unification. As well as putting Australia at the forefront of this mainstream activity, a fertile environment will be provided for the training of graduate students. They will be ideally placed to lead Australia's involvement in the revolution sparked by the expected experimental confirmation of supersymmetry with the next generation of particle accelerators.Read moreRead less
Low Energy Effective Actions in Supersymmetric Gauge Theories. The quest for a unified quantum theory of all the fundamental interactions of Nature, including gravity, is a major goal of modern physics. Superstring theory is at present the only plausible candidate. This theory makes nontrivial predictions (non-renormalization theorems) about the low energy structure of certain supersymmetric gauge theories (the Standard Model of particle physics is a special gauge theory). This project will deve ....Low Energy Effective Actions in Supersymmetric Gauge Theories. The quest for a unified quantum theory of all the fundamental interactions of Nature, including gravity, is a major goal of modern physics. Superstring theory is at present the only plausible candidate. This theory makes nontrivial predictions (non-renormalization theorems) about the low energy structure of certain supersymmetric gauge theories (the Standard Model of particle physics is a special gauge theory). This project will develop new tools for the computation of low energy effective actions, which will then be used for a detailed analysis of the non-renormalization theorems governing the low energy dynamics of supersymmetric gauge theories. This research is at the forefront of modern particle physics.Read moreRead less
Modelling quantum dynamics of electronic excited states in complex molecular materials. Understanding new materials that are the basis of new sources of renewable energy sources represents a major scientific challenge. Many of these materials are composed of large organic molecules containing hundreds of atoms. Their properties and the concepts needed to understand these materials are distinctly different from semiconductors such as silicon. This research will enhance our ability to design bett ....Modelling quantum dynamics of electronic excited states in complex molecular materials. Understanding new materials that are the basis of new sources of renewable energy sources represents a major scientific challenge. Many of these materials are composed of large organic molecules containing hundreds of atoms. Their properties and the concepts needed to understand these materials are distinctly different from semiconductors such as silicon. This research will enhance our ability to design better materials and optimize the performance of organic solar cells and LEDs. Australia's capacity for research and development in this scientifically challenging and technologically important field will be enhanced by this project. Read moreRead less