A Laser Guide Star using a High Power, Synchronously Pumped Optical Parametric Oscillators. We will develop a novel high power source of 589nm coherent (laser) light to be used to create a laser guide star by exciting sodium atoms in the earth's upper atmosphere (the mesosphere). This is needed to determine the distortion caused by the atmosphere on an optical beam propagating through it and generate the information needed to correct those distortions using an adaptive optics telescope. This pr ....A Laser Guide Star using a High Power, Synchronously Pumped Optical Parametric Oscillators. We will develop a novel high power source of 589nm coherent (laser) light to be used to create a laser guide star by exciting sodium atoms in the earth's upper atmosphere (the mesosphere). This is needed to determine the distortion caused by the atmosphere on an optical beam propagating through it and generate the information needed to correct those distortions using an adaptive optics telescope. This project focuses on the development of a novel high power 589nm source based on a synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillator.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
Optical circuits for quantum non-locality with single photons. This collaborative project between the University of Queensland and Hokkaido University will investigate fundamental aspects of quantum mechanics concerned with non-locality. The results will have direct relevance to the emerging field of quantum technology - new technologies based exploiting the quantum mechanical nature of physical systems. Through the collaboration Australia will gain access to world-class single photon generation ....Optical circuits for quantum non-locality with single photons. This collaborative project between the University of Queensland and Hokkaido University will investigate fundamental aspects of quantum mechanics concerned with non-locality. The results will have direct relevance to the emerging field of quantum technology - new technologies based exploiting the quantum mechanical nature of physical systems. Through the collaboration Australia will gain access to world-class single photon generation facilities that will be replicated here. A strong link between Japanese and Australian researchers, including students, will be formed.Read moreRead less
Quantum Atom Optics and Single Atom Detection with Micro-Bose-Einstein Condensates. A Bose Einstein condensate (BEC) is a collection of atoms, all in the same quantum state, like the photons in a laser. It is now possible to create a micro-BEC and move it around on an 'atom chip'. We propose an experimental and theoretical study of its properties including those quantum statistical effects which will limit future ultra-sensitive measurement technologies such as quantum electromechanical transdu ....Quantum Atom Optics and Single Atom Detection with Micro-Bose-Einstein Condensates. A Bose Einstein condensate (BEC) is a collection of atoms, all in the same quantum state, like the photons in a laser. It is now possible to create a micro-BEC and move it around on an 'atom chip'. We propose an experimental and theoretical study of its properties including those quantum statistical effects which will limit future ultra-sensitive measurement technologies such as quantum electromechanical transducers. We will develop methods to count small numbers of ultra-cold atoms, engineer their state and build a prototype device.Read moreRead less
Controlling quantum technologies. Australia is a leader in quantum technology - from molecular machines to quantum computers, amazing advances are being made possible as we harness the laws of quantum physics. Our project will enhance the nation's profile in this discipline by developing some of the ground rules for measuring and controlling the operation of quantum devices. This foundational work will put Australian theoretical and experimental researchers at the forefront of this new field, an ....Controlling quantum technologies. Australia is a leader in quantum technology - from molecular machines to quantum computers, amazing advances are being made possible as we harness the laws of quantum physics. Our project will enhance the nation's profile in this discipline by developing some of the ground rules for measuring and controlling the operation of quantum devices. This foundational work will put Australian theoretical and experimental researchers at the forefront of this new field, and there is significant opportunity for development of intellectual property such as patents. Young researchers and postgraduate students will play a substantial role in the project, maximising the training impact for new professionals in cutting-edge science and high technology.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
Imaging Light and Gases with Low Energy Electrons. The imaging of light and atoms trapped in the potential minima of optical lattices will be a world first, positioning Australia at the forefront of the merging fields of electron microscopy and atom optics, leading to important international recognition and publicity. This project, relevant to the frontier technologies of photonics, atom optics and quantum information processing, will also develop a skills base in surface electron microscopy and ....Imaging Light and Gases with Low Energy Electrons. The imaging of light and atoms trapped in the potential minima of optical lattices will be a world first, positioning Australia at the forefront of the merging fields of electron microscopy and atom optics, leading to important international recognition and publicity. This project, relevant to the frontier technologies of photonics, atom optics and quantum information processing, will also develop a skills base in surface electron microscopy and laser science by providing high level training for post-graduate and honours students. In addition, the utilisation of optical lattices as micro-environmental cells in electron microscopy will be an important development for in situ studies of the gas phase including chemical reactions.
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Compact Tunable Visible Lasers - New Approaches to Phase-Matching. Australia will benefit significantly from this innovation in lasers and especially fibre lasers. Optical fibre devices are a major area of our capability in world-leading research and commercialisation. Through commercialisation we will directly benefit economically in terms of exports and jobs. We will also benefit from commercial exploitation of applications in biomedicine, security and environmental monitoring. Students will b ....Compact Tunable Visible Lasers - New Approaches to Phase-Matching. Australia will benefit significantly from this innovation in lasers and especially fibre lasers. Optical fibre devices are a major area of our capability in world-leading research and commercialisation. Through commercialisation we will directly benefit economically in terms of exports and jobs. We will also benefit from commercial exploitation of applications in biomedicine, security and environmental monitoring. Students will be trained in an area important for Australian research and high technology industry. Australia's position as a world-leader in optics and photonics will be strengthened .Read moreRead less
Quantum Measurement, Control and Information: Forging Links to Underpin Quantum Technology. The 21st century is seeing the birth of the first truly quantum technologies - devices whose operation can only be explained using quantum physics - which can outperform any conventional technology. This project will advance new theoretical foundations for designing quantum technologies by forging links between the three key areas of quantum measurement, control, and information. It will also establish th ....Quantum Measurement, Control and Information: Forging Links to Underpin Quantum Technology. The 21st century is seeing the birth of the first truly quantum technologies - devices whose operation can only be explained using quantum physics - which can outperform any conventional technology. This project will advance new theoretical foundations for designing quantum technologies by forging links between the three key areas of quantum measurement, control, and information. It will also establish the first experimental laboratory in Australia to test these new theories. As the miniaturization of technology continues, quantum design principles will be required for more and more devices. The discoveries made will help keep Australian science at the forefront of this revolution.Read moreRead less