Bright x-ray beams from laser-driven microplasmas. This project aims to develop a new generation of bright, laser-like x-ray sources for laboratory use. X-ray sources underpin key diagnostic techniques in materials science, advancing applications from structural engineering through to ore processing and energy storage. However, the limited brightness of present-day laboratory x-ray sources restricts the utility and range of these diagnostic techniques. This research intends to use intense lasers ....Bright x-ray beams from laser-driven microplasmas. This project aims to develop a new generation of bright, laser-like x-ray sources for laboratory use. X-ray sources underpin key diagnostic techniques in materials science, advancing applications from structural engineering through to ore processing and energy storage. However, the limited brightness of present-day laboratory x-ray sources restricts the utility and range of these diagnostic techniques. This research intends to use intense lasers to create microscopic plasmas and drive high harmonic generation. The high harmonic generation process is already used to create laser-like ultraviolet light. By optimising the characteristics of the plasma medium, the project aims to extend bright high harmonic generation to the x-ray regime.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100082
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$120,000.00
Summary
Ultraviolet laser system (193 nanometres). New grating and integrated component technologies—many of which were pioneered in Australia at the existing facility—are revolutionising the role of photonics in disciplines outside of telecommunications. From ultra-high temperature fibre gratings for both the energy and mining industries and high power fibre lasers, through to the processing of substrates to pattern chemical attachment of self-assembled structures, and novel quantum processing approach ....Ultraviolet laser system (193 nanometres). New grating and integrated component technologies—many of which were pioneered in Australia at the existing facility—are revolutionising the role of photonics in disciplines outside of telecommunications. From ultra-high temperature fibre gratings for both the energy and mining industries and high power fibre lasers, through to the processing of substrates to pattern chemical attachment of self-assembled structures, and novel quantum processing approaches, new research areas are emerging. 193nm laser processing remains central to all these technologies. This facility will continue to keep Australia at the forefront of such research underpinning this next generation of technologies.Read moreRead less
Dynamics of constrained Brownian motion of neuro-secretory vesicles. This project will shed light on a fundamental problem the mechanism of brain cell communication by use of quantitative biophotonics methods including laser tracking, optical tweezers and three dimensional fluorescence microscopy. This work will give valuable new clues to finally solve the dynamics of molecular interactions underpinning neuronal communication.
Force microscopy with arbitrary optically-trapped probes and application to internal mechanics of cells. The ability to perform micromanipulation on particles, macromolecules, subcellular organelles, or whole cells is fundamental in elucidating processes such as chromosome movement during cell division, and movement of cell components in and out of the cell. The recent advances in optical tweezers have allowed this type of micromanipulation to approach reality. However, determination of the true ....Force microscopy with arbitrary optically-trapped probes and application to internal mechanics of cells. The ability to perform micromanipulation on particles, macromolecules, subcellular organelles, or whole cells is fundamental in elucidating processes such as chromosome movement during cell division, and movement of cell components in and out of the cell. The recent advances in optical tweezers have allowed this type of micromanipulation to approach reality. However, determination of the true optical force is critical for this technique to reach its full potential. This project will develop novel techniques to quantitatively determine the absolute optical force applied to the cell component using the process of ingestion (phagocytosis) as a proof-of-principle test, and measure forces in chromosome movement and vesicle transport within cells.Read moreRead less