Organic superconductors and frustrated antiferromagnets: from quantum chemistry to quantum many-body theory to experiment. Aims. To obtain an understanding of how quantum physics and the
interactions between electrons determine the unusual properties of
organic superconductors and frustrated antiferromagnets.
Significance. The project brings together investigators who are
each world leaders in their respective areas of expertise.
Expected outcomes. Answers will be obtained to fundamenta ....Organic superconductors and frustrated antiferromagnets: from quantum chemistry to quantum many-body theory to experiment. Aims. To obtain an understanding of how quantum physics and the
interactions between electrons determine the unusual properties of
organic superconductors and frustrated antiferromagnets.
Significance. The project brings together investigators who are
each world leaders in their respective areas of expertise.
Expected outcomes. Answers will be obtained to fundamental questions about how the quantum
properties of individual molecules combine to determine the
macroscopic properties of new states of matter.Read moreRead less
Interplay of superconductivity and magnetism in layered molecular crystals. The most interesting new electronic materials discovered in the past decade are built from layers of atoms or molecules. Many exhibit a subtle competition between magnetism and superconductivity.
This project will develop new theoretical concepts and models for the electronic properties of organic molecular crystals. The theoretical predictions will be tested experimentally at the USA National High Magnetic Field Labo ....Interplay of superconductivity and magnetism in layered molecular crystals. The most interesting new electronic materials discovered in the past decade are built from layers of atoms or molecules. Many exhibit a subtle competition between magnetism and superconductivity.
This project will develop new theoretical concepts and models for the electronic properties of organic molecular crystals. The theoretical predictions will be tested experimentally at the USA National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.
The outcome will be a better understanding of a wide range of materials (including high-temperature superconductors, giant magnetoresistance and plastic electronic materials) that could be the
basis of much of the electronic technology of the twenty-first century.Read moreRead less
Quantum Nanotechnology: Concepts to Devices. Just as the technological advances of the past few decades at the micro level fundamentally changed our lives, so too the emerging era of 'quantum nanotechnology' promises to revolutionise our society in the 21st century. This Fellowship will explore and develop critical areas of quantum nanotechnology - absolutely secure communication, nanoscopic level imaging, and exponentially fast computers. Such technology will have far reaching applications in a ....Quantum Nanotechnology: Concepts to Devices. Just as the technological advances of the past few decades at the micro level fundamentally changed our lives, so too the emerging era of 'quantum nanotechnology' promises to revolutionise our society in the 21st century. This Fellowship will explore and develop critical areas of quantum nanotechnology - absolutely secure communication, nanoscopic level imaging, and exponentially fast computers. Such technology will have far reaching applications in all areas of society and provide significant National benefit.Read moreRead less
Modelling quantum dynamics of electronic excited states in complex molecular materials. Understanding new materials that are the basis of new sources of renewable energy sources represents a major scientific challenge. Many of these materials are composed of large organic molecules containing hundreds of atoms. Their properties and the concepts needed to understand these materials are distinctly different from semiconductors such as silicon. This research will enhance our ability to design bett ....Modelling quantum dynamics of electronic excited states in complex molecular materials. Understanding new materials that are the basis of new sources of renewable energy sources represents a major scientific challenge. Many of these materials are composed of large organic molecules containing hundreds of atoms. Their properties and the concepts needed to understand these materials are distinctly different from semiconductors such as silicon. This research will enhance our ability to design better materials and optimize the performance of organic solar cells and LEDs. Australia's capacity for research and development in this scientifically challenging and technologically important field will be enhanced by this project. Read moreRead less
Spin tunnelling transport and quantum effects in magnetic nanostructures. A new field of "spintronics" takes advantage of the spin of electrons and revolutionises electronics leading to quantum devices. By understanding the behaviour of electron spin in materials we can learn new fundamentals in solid-state physics that will lead to a new generation of electronic, optoelectronic and magneto-electronic devices. The aim of this project is to study the spin tunnelling transport and noise, and relat ....Spin tunnelling transport and quantum effects in magnetic nanostructures. A new field of "spintronics" takes advantage of the spin of electrons and revolutionises electronics leading to quantum devices. By understanding the behaviour of electron spin in materials we can learn new fundamentals in solid-state physics that will lead to a new generation of electronic, optoelectronic and magneto-electronic devices. The aim of this project is to study the spin tunnelling transport and noise, and related quantum effects in various magnetic nanostructures, such as ferromagnet/semiconductor/ferromagnet junctions, using quantum statistics approsches. The outcome of the project is of considerable relevance to the researches of nanostructure and quantum information/computation in Australia.Read moreRead less
Hydrogen Absorption by Nanostructured Carbons. Carbon-based materials show great promise for clean energy storage through the absorption and desorption of hydrogen. The project aims to use powerful theoretical and experimental methods to resolve the controversy that surrounds reports of massive hydrogen absorption by nanostructured carbons, by understanding why particular structures should or should not absorb hydrogen atoms or molecules. We will particularly study and model intercalated graphit ....Hydrogen Absorption by Nanostructured Carbons. Carbon-based materials show great promise for clean energy storage through the absorption and desorption of hydrogen. The project aims to use powerful theoretical and experimental methods to resolve the controversy that surrounds reports of massive hydrogen absorption by nanostructured carbons, by understanding why particular structures should or should not absorb hydrogen atoms or molecules. We will particularly study and model intercalated graphite and nanotubes made in Australia. Their hydrogen capacity will be compared to the US DOE target of 6.5 weight percent for viable automotive hydrogen fuel storage. Reproducibly exceeding this target would constitute a great advance in the field.Read moreRead less
Implementing large-scale solid-state quantum computation. The goal of quantum computing research is to harness the properties of quantum mechanics to build computers that are exponentially more powerful than the computers of today. Along the way, many spin-off technologies for conventional computing and nanotechnology are expected. Realising the quantum computing dream is a daunting experimental challenge requiring both theoretical assurance that it is possible in principle, and theoretical guid ....Implementing large-scale solid-state quantum computation. The goal of quantum computing research is to harness the properties of quantum mechanics to build computers that are exponentially more powerful than the computers of today. Along the way, many spin-off technologies for conventional computing and nanotechnology are expected. Realising the quantum computing dream is a daunting experimental challenge requiring both theoretical assurance that it is possible in principle, and theoretical guidance as to the best method. We seek to provide this theoretical support for solid-state systems, and broaden the range of problems that such systems are demonstrably suited to tackle.Read moreRead less
Atom Location by Channelling Enhanced Microanalysis using Inner-shell Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy. The technique of Atom Location by Channelling Enhanced Microanalysis (ALCHEMI) has been explored extensively using Electron Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) measurements by many authors. The extension of this method to Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS) is difficult due to the more complicated formulation of inner-shell ionization required under such experimental conditions. Issues such ....Atom Location by Channelling Enhanced Microanalysis using Inner-shell Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy. The technique of Atom Location by Channelling Enhanced Microanalysis (ALCHEMI) has been explored extensively using Electron Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) measurements by many authors. The extension of this method to Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS) is difficult due to the more complicated formulation of inner-shell ionization required under such experimental conditions. Issues such as the "delocalization" of the ionization interaction and the significance of channelling of the scattered electron need to be addressed so that this method may be generally applicable. It is the aim of this project to extend this commonly used method to the topical field of EELS.Read moreRead less
The phase and inverse scattering problem for electrons multiply scattered by non-periodic solids. Theoretical methods for the inversion of multiple scattering of electrons in non-periodic solids will be obtained. This will vastly extend the range of utility of atomic resolution electron microscopy and electron tomography, where single scattering conditions are usually assumed. We will further develop our recent novel solutions to the phase problem from images and diffraction patterns (needed as ....The phase and inverse scattering problem for electrons multiply scattered by non-periodic solids. Theoretical methods for the inversion of multiple scattering of electrons in non-periodic solids will be obtained. This will vastly extend the range of utility of atomic resolution electron microscopy and electron tomography, where single scattering conditions are usually assumed. We will further develop our recent novel solutions to the phase problem from images and diffraction patterns (needed as a prelude to the inversion) that are robust in the presence of discontinuities in the phase (such as vortices). These phase retrieval methods will be useful not only for problems in electron optics but also in visible, x-ray, neutron and atom optics.Read moreRead less
Atomic resolution imaging and spectroscopy. This project will enhance Australia's reputation in atomic resolution imaging, positioning Australia as a major contributor to significant world research outcomes in the physical sciences. It contributes to the quality of our culture through the advancement of knowledge through the solution of problems of high scientific merit, provides training at the postdoctoral level and will produce several PhD graduates of the highest quality. This project streng ....Atomic resolution imaging and spectroscopy. This project will enhance Australia's reputation in atomic resolution imaging, positioning Australia as a major contributor to significant world research outcomes in the physical sciences. It contributes to the quality of our culture through the advancement of knowledge through the solution of problems of high scientific merit, provides training at the postdoctoral level and will produce several PhD graduates of the highest quality. This project strengthens collaborative international links with one of the worlds leading research facilities located at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The potential practical applications of this work should lead to direct economic benefits to Australia.Read moreRead less