Imaging of properties of coherent elastic light scattering from turbid biological media. Imaging with coherent, elastically-scattered light for visualisation of thick-tissue morphology in vivo, or of cells buried deep in a turbid medium, remains a major challenge. We adopt an alternative approach of imaging of properties of light scattering based on regarding cellular tissue as a spatially-varying refractive-index continuum which encodes scattered light. We propose new methodologies to infer t ....Imaging of properties of coherent elastic light scattering from turbid biological media. Imaging with coherent, elastically-scattered light for visualisation of thick-tissue morphology in vivo, or of cells buried deep in a turbid medium, remains a major challenge. We adopt an alternative approach of imaging of properties of light scattering based on regarding cellular tissue as a spatially-varying refractive-index continuum which encodes scattered light. We propose new methodologies to infer tissue state and morphology indirectly based on phase delay, speckle, and angle-resolved scattering. We will break new ground in correlating the structure and function of in situ epithelial tissue and cells to light scattering enabling, e.g., the detection of mitosis and apoptosis in cells buried in thick, turbid media, and of cancers and precancers in vivo.Read moreRead less
Advances in optical coherence tomography. We propose to continue our research into the biomedical imaging technique of optical coherence tomography by making substantial new advances in the key areas of ultra-broad bandwidth operation, coincident confocal gate scanning, and dispersion compensation. These advances are aimed at improving resolution to the 1-5 micron range, which should allow a breakthrough to sub-cellular in vivo imaging, making visible sample histology in situ, which is currentl ....Advances in optical coherence tomography. We propose to continue our research into the biomedical imaging technique of optical coherence tomography by making substantial new advances in the key areas of ultra-broad bandwidth operation, coincident confocal gate scanning, and dispersion compensation. These advances are aimed at improving resolution to the 1-5 micron range, which should allow a breakthrough to sub-cellular in vivo imaging, making visible sample histology in situ, which is currently not possible. We also plan to make advances in the key area of scanning delay line technology by employing acousto-optics in OCT for the first time. Acousto-optics conveys advantages in no-moving-parts, scan-speed and accuracy.Read moreRead less
New generation of hyperspectral infrared photon detectors. Although highly desirable for many applications, tuneable, on chip, infrared photon detectors are not yet available. The approach described in this application aims to develop a technology for high performance, on chip, infrared photon detectors that can be tuned over a wide wavelength range. By applying a novel in-house developed semiconductor process and a multi-disciplinary approach, this project aims to develop such devices by combin ....New generation of hyperspectral infrared photon detectors. Although highly desirable for many applications, tuneable, on chip, infrared photon detectors are not yet available. The approach described in this application aims to develop a technology for high performance, on chip, infrared photon detectors that can be tuned over a wide wavelength range. By applying a novel in-house developed semiconductor process and a multi-disciplinary approach, this project aims to develop such devices by combining, for the first time, micromachined tuneable optical microcavities with high performance HgCdTe-based infrared detectors.Read moreRead less
Application of ultra-high stability cryogenic sapphire oscillators to Very Long Baseline Interferometry. This project will develop a state-of-the-art commercial prototype of the cryogenic sapphire oscillator (CSO) optimised for use at remote sites. Proof of operation will be applied to the important niche market of Very-Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) radio astronomy, with improvements in image quality. The research will also significantly benefit the Australian bid for the SKA project, as ....Application of ultra-high stability cryogenic sapphire oscillators to Very Long Baseline Interferometry. This project will develop a state-of-the-art commercial prototype of the cryogenic sapphire oscillator (CSO) optimised for use at remote sites. Proof of operation will be applied to the important niche market of Very-Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) radio astronomy, with improvements in image quality. The research will also significantly benefit the Australian bid for the SKA project, as the CSO is the only technology capable of synchronising the outputs of the telescopes arrays to the required signal to noise to attain the required image quality. The project will further Australia's status in radio astronomy as a world leader and add to our exports of precision scientific instruments.Read moreRead less
Application of Femtosecond Light Sources to Generation of Low Noise Microwave Signals. The main goal of the research project is to develop prototypes of photonic oscillators capable of generating spectrally pure signals both at optical and microwave frequencies. The project is also aimed at understanding noise mechanisms affecting frequency stability of classical microwave oscillators based on sapphire loaded cavity resonators. By cryogenically cooling such resonators we plan to create a new fam ....Application of Femtosecond Light Sources to Generation of Low Noise Microwave Signals. The main goal of the research project is to develop prototypes of photonic oscillators capable of generating spectrally pure signals both at optical and microwave frequencies. The project is also aimed at understanding noise mechanisms affecting frequency stability of classical microwave oscillators based on sapphire loaded cavity resonators. By cryogenically cooling such resonators we plan to create a new family of extremely low noise and economically viable microwave signal sources. The research proposed will enrich the field of oscillator frequency control, give rise to new techniques for precision noise measurements and reinforce Australia's position at the forefront of microwave and photonic science.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
Complex magnetic structures for microwave, logic and memory applications. The proposed work addresses high profile fields of nanotechnology and frequency agile materials. Device prototypes of novel energy efficient components for microwave signal processing, for wave logic and for memory applications based on magnetic materials will be designed, fabricated and studied.
Optical wireless frontier: Design challenges of multi gigabit wireless. This project aims to improve the coverage, mobile access, miniaturisation, bandwidth and networking of optical wireless. As connected machines become the primary consumers of the Internet, technologies for wirelessly connecting devices, processors, storage and display devices at very high speeds become necessary for mission critical services and applications. Gigabit wireless access needs to overcome shortages in the radio-f ....Optical wireless frontier: Design challenges of multi gigabit wireless. This project aims to improve the coverage, mobile access, miniaturisation, bandwidth and networking of optical wireless. As connected machines become the primary consumers of the Internet, technologies for wirelessly connecting devices, processors, storage and display devices at very high speeds become necessary for mission critical services and applications. Gigabit wireless access needs to overcome shortages in the radio-frequency spectrum and provide scalable bandwidth and wider coverage. Optical wireless transmission is a real alternative to current wireless systems because its connection speed of tens of gigabits/second means it can work efficiently with wired optical networking technologies. This project is expected to lead to optical wireless technology.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775614
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
National Electromagnetic Characterization Facility for Advanced Electronic and Biomaterials. The proposed Material Characterisation Facility using non-destructive methods will be unique to Australia. Precise characterisation of advanced materials such as dielectrics and superconductors using the facility will progress emerging technologies within the electronic and communication research area. The inclusion of a microwave scanning test bed within the laboratory will allow engineers, scientists, ....National Electromagnetic Characterization Facility for Advanced Electronic and Biomaterials. The proposed Material Characterisation Facility using non-destructive methods will be unique to Australia. Precise characterisation of advanced materials such as dielectrics and superconductors using the facility will progress emerging technologies within the electronic and communication research area. The inclusion of a microwave scanning test bed within the laboratory will allow engineers, scientists, biologists and medical scientists to safely detect the intrinsic electromagnetic properties of electronic materials and tumours in biological tissues or poor quality agricultural produce. This comprehensive material characterisation facility will therefore benefit the peoples of Australasia in many significant and diverse ways.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100163
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,000.00
Summary
High performance clock facility for new-generation radar, imaging, measurement and radio-astronomy applications. At the heart of critical modern technologies (e.g. communications, navigation, radar) lies a high quality oscillator that generates an ultra-pure signal: it is this device that determines the overall system performance. The proposed facility will deliver breakthrough portable technology to improve the performance of these crucial technologies.