Novel effects of metamaterials on propagation and localisation of electromagnetic waves in photonic crystal structures. Australian science enjoys a long tradition of success and leadership in optical physics and, presently, Australia ranks amongst the leaders in nanophotonics. In order to maintain its position in a highly competitive field, new device designs, based on research into new concepts and new materials, is needed. This project explores the exciting new field of mixed media systems c ....Novel effects of metamaterials on propagation and localisation of electromagnetic waves in photonic crystal structures. Australian science enjoys a long tradition of success and leadership in optical physics and, presently, Australia ranks amongst the leaders in nanophotonics. In order to maintain its position in a highly competitive field, new device designs, based on research into new concepts and new materials, is needed. This project explores the exciting new field of mixed media systems comprising composite structures made from normal and meta-materials. It will deliver fundamental understanding of these systems and will explore potential new device applications based on this, in addition to enhancing research training needed to enhance Australia's international reputation in frontier technologies.Read moreRead less
Diamond-based Ultra Violet (UV)-emitting devices. The development of UV-emitting solid state devices will enable new applications and drive rapid growth of new industries in particular in health care (sterilisation), microelectronics (lithography) and high-density data storage. With its deep expertise in photonics, Australia is well positioned to become a significant player in these industries. This collaborative project, involving academic and industrial partners, seeks to leverage Australian s ....Diamond-based Ultra Violet (UV)-emitting devices. The development of UV-emitting solid state devices will enable new applications and drive rapid growth of new industries in particular in health care (sterilisation), microelectronics (lithography) and high-density data storage. With its deep expertise in photonics, Australia is well positioned to become a significant player in these industries. This collaborative project, involving academic and industrial partners, seeks to leverage Australian scientific expertise to create new hybrid diamond/nitride structures potentially capable of emitting UV-radiation with high-efficiency and power. The outcomes will help seed new industry and economic growth in Australia.Read moreRead less
Light Emission and Localization in Photonic Clusters and Random Lasers. Recent experimental advances have exhibited surprising optical properties of artificial and natural systems structured on the scale of the wavelength of light. We will model numerically such systems, providing insights into the way radiation from atoms placed in them can be changed, light scattering can lead to lasers without mirrors, their fine structure can result in colours which never fade, and light can be localized or ....Light Emission and Localization in Photonic Clusters and Random Lasers. Recent experimental advances have exhibited surprising optical properties of artificial and natural systems structured on the scale of the wavelength of light. We will model numerically such systems, providing insights into the way radiation from atoms placed in them can be changed, light scattering can lead to lasers without mirrors, their fine structure can result in colours which never fade, and light can be localized or trapped in three dimensions.Read moreRead less
Scanning Probe Microscopy for Fabrication and Analysis of Polymer Photovoltaics. Australian economic growth will depend increasingly on the provision of devices using materials designed at the molecular level. Scanning probe microscopy, which uses tips placed very close to surfaces to analyse or modify the surfaces with molecular precision, is an indispensible tool in designing such materials. In this project, scanning probe microscopy will be used to analyse and build structures on polymer sola ....Scanning Probe Microscopy for Fabrication and Analysis of Polymer Photovoltaics. Australian economic growth will depend increasingly on the provision of devices using materials designed at the molecular level. Scanning probe microscopy, which uses tips placed very close to surfaces to analyse or modify the surfaces with molecular precision, is an indispensible tool in designing such materials. In this project, scanning probe microscopy will be used to analyse and build structures on polymer solar cells in order to maximise the efficiency of the cells and build prototype nanoscale polymer devices. This will lead to the improvement in devices delivering sustainable energy production - a technology which has the promise of producing energy cheaply from sunlight.Read moreRead less
Preparation and analysis of amorphous GaN thin films. Researchers in New Zealand have developed novel processing techniques to prepare amorphous and partially crystalline gallium nitride thin films with potential application as green-blue-UV opto-electronic devices. However, characterization of the film structure using electron microscopy is essential to understand the relationship between processing conditions and opto-electronic properties. The aim of this project is to draw together specialis ....Preparation and analysis of amorphous GaN thin films. Researchers in New Zealand have developed novel processing techniques to prepare amorphous and partially crystalline gallium nitride thin films with potential application as green-blue-UV opto-electronic devices. However, characterization of the film structure using electron microscopy is essential to understand the relationship between processing conditions and opto-electronic properties. The aim of this project is to draw together specialist expertise and equipment that allows integration of microscopy into the development of these films. Australian researchers will gain access to specialized preparation and testing facilities in New Zealand, whilst researchers from New Zealand will perform structural analysis of these films in Australia.Read moreRead less
Beyond metamaterials: new composites for transforming photonics. Composites containing metamaterials, new materials with extraordinary electromagnetic properties, are opening new horizons in optical physics, with the potential to deliver a range of unprecedented functionalities. This project will clarify the exotic physics of these revolutionary new materials, leading to new photonics applications.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775729
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,000.00
Summary
Improved understanding of nanoscale materials - structure, composition, crystallography and defects revealed by electron imaging and analysis at high spatial resolution. Modern materials scientists and engineers are driven by world-wide competition to develop new technology and manufactured devices. The trend has for some time been towards miniaturisation and one of the main challenges lies in effectively characterising nanostructures that are produced as a key step in research and development o ....Improved understanding of nanoscale materials - structure, composition, crystallography and defects revealed by electron imaging and analysis at high spatial resolution. Modern materials scientists and engineers are driven by world-wide competition to develop new technology and manufactured devices. The trend has for some time been towards miniaturisation and one of the main challenges lies in effectively characterising nanostructures that are produced as a key step in research and development of advanced materials. The proposed electron microscope and detectors will provide a state-of-the-art analytical facility to support the cross-disciplinary materials science and nanotechnology research at the Australian National University. It will also provide an important training facility for students and early-career researchers and will be available to investigators from other Australian institutions.Read moreRead less
Optical Nano-plasmonics. There is much current interest and excitement in nano-optics, where light interacts with features on its own scale or finer than it. One way of achieving strong interactions between light and finely structured systems is to incorporate metallic elements, and use the resonances called surface plasmons which arise due to electric currents flowing on the metal. We will develop accurate ways of calculating the properties of these plasmons for a range of metal-dielectric syst ....Optical Nano-plasmonics. There is much current interest and excitement in nano-optics, where light interacts with features on its own scale or finer than it. One way of achieving strong interactions between light and finely structured systems is to incorporate metallic elements, and use the resonances called surface plasmons which arise due to electric currents flowing on the metal. We will develop accurate ways of calculating the properties of these plasmons for a range of metal-dielectric systems, in order to design highly miniaturized structures which can manipulate light for applications in optical sensors and related devices.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150100791
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$373,536.00
Summary
Identification of optically efficient erbium centres in silicon. An efficient and economical light source, an essential component for silicon integrated photonics, is still missing. This project aims to identify optically efficient erbium centres in silicon materials that are compatible with the cost-effective silicon integration technology. This project also aims to advance the microscopic study of erbium in silicon to a single-atom level and establish the essential link for optimising light em ....Identification of optically efficient erbium centres in silicon. An efficient and economical light source, an essential component for silicon integrated photonics, is still missing. This project aims to identify optically efficient erbium centres in silicon materials that are compatible with the cost-effective silicon integration technology. This project also aims to advance the microscopic study of erbium in silicon to a single-atom level and establish the essential link for optimising light emission between the microscopic structure and the optical transition. The expected outcomes are optically efficient erbium centres in silicon, which will speed up the material optimisation process and advance the development of silicon integrated photonics in Australia.Read moreRead less
Dual wavelength quantum dot light detectors. This project aims to develop technologies to fabricate advanced electronic materials based on gallium antimonide (GaSb), to explore their physics and use them in improved optoelectronic devices.
GaSb technology is in its infancy, therefore basic and applied research is needed to utilise these materials to their full potential for long wavelength photonic devices with unique promise in military and civilian applications: fire detection, missile and ....Dual wavelength quantum dot light detectors. This project aims to develop technologies to fabricate advanced electronic materials based on gallium antimonide (GaSb), to explore their physics and use them in improved optoelectronic devices.
GaSb technology is in its infancy, therefore basic and applied research is needed to utilise these materials to their full potential for long wavelength photonic devices with unique promise in military and civilian applications: fire detection, missile and surveillance systems, environmental monitoring, biology and medicine.
As an outcome, growth protocols for innovative device structures will be established, the structures' behaviour assessed and device fabrication and characterisation carried out and reported.
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