Foundation technology for quantum measurement, sensing and computing. This project will advance quantum control of cold ions, atoms and diamond colour centres for application of quantum science to high-tech problems, from ion-based quantum computing to diamond-based quantum imaging inside living cells.
Optical technology for quantum science. This project aims to develop and commercialise optical cavity and frequency stabilisation technology to generate laser light at new and precise wavelengths. Australia plays a leading role internationally in quantum science, a burgeoning area of research where fundamental quantum mechanical principles underpin exciting new technological applications, such as ion-based quantum computing, ultracold atom sensing for geo-exploration and defence, and nanoscale i ....Optical technology for quantum science. This project aims to develop and commercialise optical cavity and frequency stabilisation technology to generate laser light at new and precise wavelengths. Australia plays a leading role internationally in quantum science, a burgeoning area of research where fundamental quantum mechanical principles underpin exciting new technological applications, such as ion-based quantum computing, ultracold atom sensing for geo-exploration and defence, and nanoscale imaging inside living human cells. This project aims to continue and develop this role.Read moreRead less
Optical supercontinuum generation from high pulse-energy optical sources. The aim of this project is to develop a broadband and high brightness optical fibre source based on optical supercontinuum generation (i.e. low-coherence optical signals with octave or more bandwidth). Unlike similar sources demonstrated recently which rely on expensive bulk femtosecond pump lasers, this source will be pumped by a large pulse-energy optical fibre laser and use stimulated Raman scattering to seed the contin ....Optical supercontinuum generation from high pulse-energy optical sources. The aim of this project is to develop a broadband and high brightness optical fibre source based on optical supercontinuum generation (i.e. low-coherence optical signals with octave or more bandwidth). Unlike similar sources demonstrated recently which rely on expensive bulk femtosecond pump lasers, this source will be pumped by a large pulse-energy optical fibre laser and use stimulated Raman scattering to seed the continuum generation. The primary outcome will be a compact low-cost all-fibre supercontinuum source with a wide range of applications in areas such as optical metrology, optical coherence tomography, and high resolution non-contact position and motion sensing.Read moreRead less
NOVEL REAR-SURFACE DESIGNS FOR HIGH-EFFICIENCY COMMERCIAL SILICON SOLAR CELLS. The aim of this collaboration between the University of New South Wales and BP Solar, both world leaders in high-efficiency commercial photovoltaic technologies, is to develop the rear surface of silicon solar cells to enable commercially competitive photovoltaic modules to exceed 20 percent efficiency. The project will develop new technologies for the rear surface that enable excellent light trapping, low recombinati ....NOVEL REAR-SURFACE DESIGNS FOR HIGH-EFFICIENCY COMMERCIAL SILICON SOLAR CELLS. The aim of this collaboration between the University of New South Wales and BP Solar, both world leaders in high-efficiency commercial photovoltaic technologies, is to develop the rear surface of silicon solar cells to enable commercially competitive photovoltaic modules to exceed 20 percent efficiency. The project will develop new technologies for the rear surface that enable excellent light trapping, low recombination and good electrical interconnection that allow the substantial cost and efficiency benefits promised by the use of silicon wafers approaching 150 microns in thickness.Read moreRead less
Measuring boundary layer flows with airborne LIDAR. This project aims to support development of an existing LIDAR system to enable routine airborne measurement of winds and aerosol concentrations in the atmospheric boundary layer. The technical details are innovative such that the system can operate from a small aircraft, and obtain measurements over urban areas, where previously such measurements were unobtainable. This system will provide unique data to help unravel the complex process respon ....Measuring boundary layer flows with airborne LIDAR. This project aims to support development of an existing LIDAR system to enable routine airborne measurement of winds and aerosol concentrations in the atmospheric boundary layer. The technical details are innovative such that the system can operate from a small aircraft, and obtain measurements over urban areas, where previously such measurements were unobtainable. This system will provide unique data to help unravel the complex process responsible for transport and dispersion of pollutants in boundary layers over citiesRead moreRead less
A wavelength-versatile visible laser for ophthalmic instrumentation. Treatment of a wide range of retinal disorders can be enhanced by a range of treatment modalities using laser beams of different colours. The outcome of this project will be a new laser technology for ophthalmic applications which is unique in its versatility while reducing size and cost. This will allow our partner, Opto Global, to gain a unique market position for its ophthalmic products with flow-on benefits to the Austral ....A wavelength-versatile visible laser for ophthalmic instrumentation. Treatment of a wide range of retinal disorders can be enhanced by a range of treatment modalities using laser beams of different colours. The outcome of this project will be a new laser technology for ophthalmic applications which is unique in its versatility while reducing size and cost. This will allow our partner, Opto Global, to gain a unique market position for its ophthalmic products with flow-on benefits to the Australian economy and ultimately benefits to the community through improved clinical efficacy and patient outcomes. The frontier technology represented by these new laser devices is also applicable to other industries including medical aesthetics, colour projection and display, and defence systems.Read moreRead less
Diamond lasers for precision applications. Diamond lasers for precision applications. The project aims to create single mode lasers of ultrahigh spectral brightness. Single-mode lasers could improve many areas of science and technology, but existing technologies do not meet all performance requirements. This project will harness the intrinsic properties of diamond Raman lasers to increase the wavelength reach, power and stability of single mode lasers. The expected outcome is laser technology th ....Diamond lasers for precision applications. Diamond lasers for precision applications. The project aims to create single mode lasers of ultrahigh spectral brightness. Single-mode lasers could improve many areas of science and technology, but existing technologies do not meet all performance requirements. This project will harness the intrinsic properties of diamond Raman lasers to increase the wavelength reach, power and stability of single mode lasers. The expected outcome is laser technology that satisfies the needs of emerging markets, for example in gas sensing and atom cooling.Read moreRead less
Short-pulse laser cleaning for Australian heritage conservation. Conserving heritage objects is a demanding discipline, requiring a suite of techniques for different problems. Overseas, laser cleaning using long pulse techniques leaves microscopic damage as discrete chunks of material are removed, and is unsuitable for many materials. We have developed a short pulse laser process which can remove material molecule-by-molecule in a controlled fashion, and which can be readily halted once the fi ....Short-pulse laser cleaning for Australian heritage conservation. Conserving heritage objects is a demanding discipline, requiring a suite of techniques for different problems. Overseas, laser cleaning using long pulse techniques leaves microscopic damage as discrete chunks of material are removed, and is unsuitable for many materials. We have developed a short pulse laser process which can remove material molecule-by-molecule in a controlled fashion, and which can be readily halted once the final finish is achieved. We will research this technique for application to unique Australian heritage materials that are important to the specific conservation needs of the Australian War Memorial, the RAAF, Navy and Army Museums, Artlab Australia, and the Art Gallery of NSW.Read moreRead less
Terahertz lasers in the fight against illicit substances. This project aims to investigate the application of cutting-edge terahertz laser technology with new spectroscopic methods, for detection of illicit substances. Using a collaborative approach, the project aims to bring together expertise in laser physics, spectroscopy, law enforcement and instrumentation, and seeks to develop new sources and detection protocols which will offer new capabilities to law enforcement, aiding in detection and ....Terahertz lasers in the fight against illicit substances. This project aims to investigate the application of cutting-edge terahertz laser technology with new spectroscopic methods, for detection of illicit substances. Using a collaborative approach, the project aims to bring together expertise in laser physics, spectroscopy, law enforcement and instrumentation, and seeks to develop new sources and detection protocols which will offer new capabilities to law enforcement, aiding in detection and identification protocols for illicit substances.Read moreRead less
Versatile ultrafast Raman laser sources for biophotonics. Ultrafast laser pulses (lasting a billionth of a millisecond) are vital scientific tools. In partnership with a manufacturer of ultrafast lasers, the project will develop new wavelength-versatile and robust ultrafast laser sources to enable new technologies in areas such as the study of diseases at the cellular level and micron precision drug activation.