Extending a family of garbage collectors. Garbage collection is a key component in the automatic management of storage in computer systems. It is an essential property of modern programming systems that frees the programmer from a significant error-prone task. Our interest is in garbage collection in distributed systems involving a number of networked computers. Using our novel construction methodology, we have jointly produced a family of collection algorithms that are significantly simpler and ....Extending a family of garbage collectors. Garbage collection is a key component in the automatic management of storage in computer systems. It is an essential property of modern programming systems that frees the programmer from a significant error-prone task. Our interest is in garbage collection in distributed systems involving a number of networked computers. Using our novel construction methodology, we have jointly produced a family of collection algorithms that are significantly simpler and more efficient than previous work. Here we wish to extend this family to operate effectively in a specific architecture increasingly favoured by many modern distributed high-performance computing systems.Read moreRead less
Measuring the linewidth enhancement factor and optical feedback level factor of semiconductor lasers based on optical feedback self-mixing interferometry. This project aims to develop a high performance solution for the challenging problem of measuring the linewidth enhancement factor (LEF) of semiconductor lasers (SLs) and the optical feedback level factor, C, for the optical feedback self-mixing (OFSM) systems. Specific outcomes of the research include (1) a new model for an optical feedback ....Measuring the linewidth enhancement factor and optical feedback level factor of semiconductor lasers based on optical feedback self-mixing interferometry. This project aims to develop a high performance solution for the challenging problem of measuring the linewidth enhancement factor (LEF) of semiconductor lasers (SLs) and the optical feedback level factor, C, for the optical feedback self-mixing (OFSM) systems. Specific outcomes of the research include (1) a new model for an optical feedback self-mixing effect, (2) a new approach for measuring LEF and C based on the proposed model, (3) signal processing algorithms for improving the performance of the proposed approach, and (4) an OFSM system prototype based on the new model and algorithms.Read moreRead less
Novel High-Q Resonant Structures for Space and Telecommunications. High-Q microwave resonators with low spurious mode density have important applications in telecommunications, radar, navigation, precision metrology and time standards. We will develop high-Q resonators by constructing a dielectric Bragg resonators using monocrystalline sapphire loaded in a copper cavity with new cylindrical and spherical geometries. Based on these devices, compact and economical state-of-the-art ultra-low noise ....Novel High-Q Resonant Structures for Space and Telecommunications. High-Q microwave resonators with low spurious mode density have important applications in telecommunications, radar, navigation, precision metrology and time standards. We will develop high-Q resonators by constructing a dielectric Bragg resonators using monocrystalline sapphire loaded in a copper cavity with new cylindrical and spherical geometries. Based on these devices, compact and economical state-of-the-art ultra-low noise microwave oscillators and hydrogen masers will be built for the telecommunications market and space applications.Read moreRead less
Discovering the First Generation of Stars in the Galaxy - The Most Metal-Poor Stars. The most metal-poor stars carry a fossil record of the early chemical and dynamical evolution of the Galaxy. The most interesting objects are those with the lowest metal abundances representing the earliest generation of stars in the Galaxy. The aim of the present project is to extend the mining of the HES objective spectra to identify extremely metal-deficient giants, which together with the already identified ....Discovering the First Generation of Stars in the Galaxy - The Most Metal-Poor Stars. The most metal-poor stars carry a fossil record of the early chemical and dynamical evolution of the Galaxy. The most interesting objects are those with the lowest metal abundances representing the earliest generation of stars in the Galaxy. The aim of the present project is to extend the mining of the HES objective spectra to identify extremely metal-deficient giants, which together with the already identified dwarfs will be further distilled using 6dF and the DBS. We anticipate trebling the total number of the most metal deficient stars known and targeting these for observations with 8m telescopes.Read moreRead less
Development of Optical Clocks and Their Applications to Precision Frequency Measurements and Time Keeping. The goal of the proposed international researcher exchange program is to enhance the ongoing collaboration between the Frequency Standards and Metrology (FSM) Group at the University of Western Australia and leading US research institutions, including National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the field of (i) laser cooled atomic frequency standards, (ii) methods of optical ....Development of Optical Clocks and Their Applications to Precision Frequency Measurements and Time Keeping. The goal of the proposed international researcher exchange program is to enhance the ongoing collaboration between the Frequency Standards and Metrology (FSM) Group at the University of Western Australia and leading US research institutions, including National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the field of (i) laser cooled atomic frequency standards, (ii) methods of optical frequency synthesis and coherent time transfer between widely separated parts of electromagnetic spectrum and (iii) generation of low noise microwave signals directly from frequency stabilised ultra-fast pulsed lasers.Read moreRead less
ARENA: Antarctic Research, a European Network for Astronomy. With compelling evidence now growing that the world's best astronomical observing sites for optical/infrared astronomy are located on the high plateau of Australia's Antarctic Territory, a race is underway to establish the first major observing facilities there. The European Union have recently funded a network of 20 leading research institutes to coordinate the development of enabling technologies and astronomical programs in Antarct ....ARENA: Antarctic Research, a European Network for Astronomy. With compelling evidence now growing that the world's best astronomical observing sites for optical/infrared astronomy are located on the high plateau of Australia's Antarctic Territory, a race is underway to establish the first major observing facilities there. The European Union have recently funded a network of 20 leading research institutes to coordinate the development of enabling technologies and astronomical programs in Antarctica, with a view to constructing a so-called 'Great Observatory'. Australia's participation in this network ensures continued technology exchange and builds our knowledge base in robotics, harsh-environment engineering and computational fluid dynamics, while creating important new astronomical opportunities.Read moreRead less
The standard quantum limit and beyond collaboration. Achievement of a limit never before reached in measuring the position of a macroscopic object will produce a new world record for Australia, breaking that limit is akin to breaking the 4 minute mile - a feat previously thought impossible. Not only will this create national pride in our ability to innovate, but the optical technology developed with the opening of the new field of sub-quantum interferometry has the potential to generate tangibl ....The standard quantum limit and beyond collaboration. Achievement of a limit never before reached in measuring the position of a macroscopic object will produce a new world record for Australia, breaking that limit is akin to breaking the 4 minute mile - a feat previously thought impossible. Not only will this create national pride in our ability to innovate, but the optical technology developed with the opening of the new field of sub-quantum interferometry has the potential to generate tangible benefits for Australian industry. This proposal will produce scientists highly trained in technologies related to emerging industries such as photonics.Read moreRead less
ARENA: Antarctic Research, a European Network for Astronomy. With compelling evidence that the world's best astronomical observing sites for optical/infrared astronomy are located on the high plateau of Australia's Antarctic Territory, efforts are underway to establish the first major observing facilities there. The European Union has recently funded a network of 20 leading research institutes to coordinate the development of enabling technologies and astronomical programs in Antarctica, with a ....ARENA: Antarctic Research, a European Network for Astronomy. With compelling evidence that the world's best astronomical observing sites for optical/infrared astronomy are located on the high plateau of Australia's Antarctic Territory, efforts are underway to establish the first major observing facilities there. The European Union has recently funded a network of 20 leading research institutes to coordinate the development of enabling technologies and astronomical programs in Antarctica, with a view to constructing a so-called 'Great Observatory'. Australia's participation in this network ensures continued technology exchange and builds our knowledge base in robotics, harsh-environment engineering and computational fluid dynamics, while creating important new astronomical opportunities.Read moreRead less
Micro-engineered Optical Fibre Clocks. Clocks and oscillators are crucial components of all communication, navigation and computing technologies. Improvements in the performance of these internal clocks results in improvement in the performance of the dependent system, and are thus of high economic and technological value. A great need presently exists for compact and high performance clocks for improving optical fibre communication systems. The goal of this project is join the expertise of t ....Micro-engineered Optical Fibre Clocks. Clocks and oscillators are crucial components of all communication, navigation and computing technologies. Improvements in the performance of these internal clocks results in improvement in the performance of the dependent system, and are thus of high economic and technological value. A great need presently exists for compact and high performance clocks for improving optical fibre communication systems. The goal of this project is join the expertise of the University of Western Australia group with that of the University of Bath team to develop a new type of clock to fulfil this need.Read moreRead less
Diffractive Imaging using Soft X-rays and Electrons. Optical, electron and x-ray microscopy has yielded enormous biological insights and medical benefits to society. Optical microscopy is able to image live tissue, but at relatively low resolution. Electron microscopy can yield high resolution images, but only of highly prepared material. X-ray microscopy yields images of live tissue with a resolution that is intermediate between optical and electron microscopy. This project will provide Austral ....Diffractive Imaging using Soft X-rays and Electrons. Optical, electron and x-ray microscopy has yielded enormous biological insights and medical benefits to society. Optical microscopy is able to image live tissue, but at relatively low resolution. Electron microscopy can yield high resolution images, but only of highly prepared material. X-ray microscopy yields images of live tissue with a resolution that is intermediate between optical and electron microscopy. This project will provide Australian scientists with their first access to x-ray microscopy at its optimum wavelength; and secondly it will provide a superb testbed for x-ray microscopy to be enhanced using unique methods being developed in Australia.Read moreRead less