Advanced photonics with flexible pixels in liquid crystals. Similar to conventional pixels in liquid-crystal displays, the localised micro-defects in liquid crystalline structure can be generated by laser beams and immersed particles. The project will create such reconfigurable, or flexible, pixels for efficient control of optical signals underpinning the development of advanced photonic devices.
Probing nanoscale disorder in 3D with x-ray free-electron lasers. This project aims to reveal the 3D nanostructure of disordered matter with x-rays for the first time. Existing x-ray scattering techniques for disordered structures currently provide limited, one-dimensional information only. The expected outcomes of the project include an enhanced new capability for the Australian Synchrotron and international x-ray laser facilities, and new insights into the microscopic origins of the properties ....Probing nanoscale disorder in 3D with x-ray free-electron lasers. This project aims to reveal the 3D nanostructure of disordered matter with x-rays for the first time. Existing x-ray scattering techniques for disordered structures currently provide limited, one-dimensional information only. The expected outcomes of the project include an enhanced new capability for the Australian Synchrotron and international x-ray laser facilities, and new insights into the microscopic origins of the properties of liquids and biological membranes. This should benefit research areas that use x-ray scattering to probe the nanostructure of materials for diverse applications such as nanotechnology, fuel cells and drug design.Read moreRead less
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
Nonlinear optics of soft matter. This project will develop new strategies for the use and control of soft-matter systems by exploiting nonlinear interactions with light, and therefore falls into the Designated Research Priority 3: Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries - Breakthrough Science. With soft matter research being increasingly important for applications within industry and medicine, the emergence of new technology for control of nanoparticles could pr ....Nonlinear optics of soft matter. This project will develop new strategies for the use and control of soft-matter systems by exploiting nonlinear interactions with light, and therefore falls into the Designated Research Priority 3: Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries - Breakthrough Science. With soft matter research being increasingly important for applications within industry and medicine, the emergence of new technology for control of nanoparticles could provide significant benefits for the scientific community as well as Australian companies.
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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
Carrier dynamics in III-V semiconductor quantum dots and nanostructures. Quantum dots and related nanostructures are one of the most attractive topics in the recently years. This project will investigate the role of carrier dynamics in these nanostructures by using state-of-the-art ultrafast spectroscopy techniques. The wealth of information obtained from this study will not only enhance our knowledge base but also allow us to design high performance QD lasers and detectors and to demonstrate in ....Carrier dynamics in III-V semiconductor quantum dots and nanostructures. Quantum dots and related nanostructures are one of the most attractive topics in the recently years. This project will investigate the role of carrier dynamics in these nanostructures by using state-of-the-art ultrafast spectroscopy techniques. The wealth of information obtained from this study will not only enhance our knowledge base but also allow us to design high performance QD lasers and detectors and to demonstrate innovative optoelectronic devices for optical communication systems as well as quantum information processing. It will ensure that Australia is at the cutting edge of nanotechnology and optoelectronics research.Read moreRead less
Quantitative real-time imaging of high-temperature superconductors. This project will develop a robust technique for the quantitative real-time imaging of high-temperature superconductors. The image-analysis algorithm so obtained will be a virtual software lens, which is able to decode the information contained in data obtained by a well-established but hitherto qualitative imaging technique. We will transform this technique into one uniquely capable of obtaining two-dimensional movies of the ....Quantitative real-time imaging of high-temperature superconductors. This project will develop a robust technique for the quantitative real-time imaging of high-temperature superconductors. The image-analysis algorithm so obtained will be a virtual software lens, which is able to decode the information contained in data obtained by a well-established but hitherto qualitative imaging technique. We will transform this technique into one uniquely capable of obtaining two-dimensional movies of the current distributions, magnetic fields, and pinning defects in superconducting films. Such a quantitative characterization of these key superconductor parameters will be an important tool in the present global quest for room-temperature superconductivity.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