Enhancing the performance of thin-film photovoltaic cells via the application of luminescent down-shifting layers. Photovoltaic (PV) devices convert sunlight directly into electricity. For decades, the dominant PV technology has been based on thick, costly silicon wafers. However, due to higher energy conversion efficiencies and manufacturing processes, thin film PV cells can provide lower price than of the conventional wafer-based technologies. This project takes one of the leading thin film ....Enhancing the performance of thin-film photovoltaic cells via the application of luminescent down-shifting layers. Photovoltaic (PV) devices convert sunlight directly into electricity. For decades, the dominant PV technology has been based on thick, costly silicon wafers. However, due to higher energy conversion efficiencies and manufacturing processes, thin film PV cells can provide lower price than of the conventional wafer-based technologies. This project takes one of the leading thin film technologies and couples it with a passive optical layer, which will result in a 30% performance enhancement by overcoming internal absorption losses. It is anticipated that the increased performance will enable the thin film PV technology to be far more commercially viable and attractive for future commercialisation, and hence reduce the cost of solar power.Read moreRead less
Optical and matter-wave vortices in nonlinear and inhomogeneous media. Wave phenomena of diverse nature have a strikingly similar feature of vorticity, with the energy or matter spiralling around isolated phase singularities. This project targets the fundamental theoretical research in an interdisciplinary field of singular waves transporting vortices in nonlinear and inhomogeneous media. Our project will contribute to the designated priority area "Frontier Technologies for Building and Transfor ....Optical and matter-wave vortices in nonlinear and inhomogeneous media. Wave phenomena of diverse nature have a strikingly similar feature of vorticity, with the energy or matter spiralling around isolated phase singularities. This project targets the fundamental theoretical research in an interdisciplinary field of singular waves transporting vortices in nonlinear and inhomogeneous media. Our project will contribute to the designated priority area "Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries" by providing fundamental understanding of novel physical phenomena and underpinning technological advances in the fields of photonics, atom, and electron optics, where Australia has built strong expertise and plays a significant role in the international development.Read moreRead less
Multiple atomic photoionization in superstrong electromagnetic field. Correlation, or entanglement, of electrons in matter governs many important phenomena in nature, such as chemical reactions, superconductivity and ferromagnetism. However, it is the many-electron processes in atoms which allow the study of electron correlations most clearly. In this project we will investigate such a process of two-electron atomic photoionization by an intense laser pulse. We will combine advanced theoretical ....Multiple atomic photoionization in superstrong electromagnetic field. Correlation, or entanglement, of electrons in matter governs many important phenomena in nature, such as chemical reactions, superconductivity and ferromagnetism. However, it is the many-electron processes in atoms which allow the study of electron correlations most clearly. In this project we will investigate such a process of two-electron atomic photoionization by an intense laser pulse. We will combine advanced theoretical and experimental tools with the aim of understanding how the electron correlation interplays with the superstrong electromagnetic field. This will provide insight into fundamental processes of interaction of intense laser pulses with matter which are important in a wide range of applications.Read moreRead less
Slow-light photonics. This project will introduce and demonstrate novel concepts for the manipulation of optical signals in ultra-compact photonics devices, making an essential step towards fast all-optical switching and processing of data streams. These developments underpin the next generation of high-performance networks, promising to revolutionize global communications. This project will keep Australia at the forefront of international research and provide training of students on breakthroug ....Slow-light photonics. This project will introduce and demonstrate novel concepts for the manipulation of optical signals in ultra-compact photonics devices, making an essential step towards fast all-optical switching and processing of data streams. These developments underpin the next generation of high-performance networks, promising to revolutionize global communications. This project will keep Australia at the forefront of international research and provide training of students on breakthrough applications of photonics and nanotechnology, contributing to the uptake of frontier technologies by Australian industries for successful operation in a competitive global environment.Read moreRead less
Positron processes - From Basic to Applied Science. Australian scientists are at the forefront of international activities in atomic and molecular physics and materials science research. This program will expand the level of expertise in an emerging field that has importance in both these areas - the use of positron beams. Australia is developing a new and exciting capacity for positron research through the National Positron Beamline Facility. Scientists in this collaboration will work with o ....Positron processes - From Basic to Applied Science. Australian scientists are at the forefront of international activities in atomic and molecular physics and materials science research. This program will expand the level of expertise in an emerging field that has importance in both these areas - the use of positron beams. Australia is developing a new and exciting capacity for positron research through the National Positron Beamline Facility. Scientists in this collaboration will work with other outstanding, international research groups in the field of positron studies to stimulate new directions for their research. The international links, and the novel capabilities of the new Australian Facility, will enable our researchers to fully exploit this new field of research.Read moreRead less
Physical properties of exactly solved quantum spin systems. Progress in understanding quantum spin systems in condensed matter physics can be greatly enhanced by the knowledge and understanding obtained from exactly solved models. This project will apply new techniques from the theory of exactly solved models to calculate the magnetic and thermal properties of quantum spin systems. The outcomes will include progress at the forefront of theoretical physics, with direct comparison with experimenta ....Physical properties of exactly solved quantum spin systems. Progress in understanding quantum spin systems in condensed matter physics can be greatly enhanced by the knowledge and understanding obtained from exactly solved models. This project will apply new techniques from the theory of exactly solved models to calculate the magnetic and thermal properties of quantum spin systems. The outcomes will include progress at the forefront of theoretical physics, with direct comparison with experimental results and strong predictive power for new experiments. The project will establish strong research links between Australia and Japan.Read moreRead less
Singular optics of polychromatic light. This project targets fundamental research in the emerging field of nonlinear singular optics with polychromatic light. It underpins new technological advances in the field of photonics, where Australia has built strong expertise and plays a significant role in the international development. This research will assist in the development of new type of photonic applications, where the spatial and spectral coherence of light plays a key role. Therefore our pro ....Singular optics of polychromatic light. This project targets fundamental research in the emerging field of nonlinear singular optics with polychromatic light. It underpins new technological advances in the field of photonics, where Australia has built strong expertise and plays a significant role in the international development. This research will assist in the development of new type of photonic applications, where the spatial and spectral coherence of light plays a key role. Therefore our project will contribute to the designated priority area 'Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries' by providing fundamental understanding of novel physical phenomena and by building experimental and theoretical basis for new photonic technologies.Read moreRead less
Low-dimensional quantum systems. The theory of integrable systems of statistical mechanics and quantum field theory is currently one of most rapidly developing and fascinating subjects in theoretical physics and mathematics.
It allows to obtain an exact description of strongly-interacting quantum systems in one or two space dimensions and provides fundamental tools for understanding of critical phenomena and physics of small systems like quantum wires, carbon nanotubes and Josephson junctions ....Low-dimensional quantum systems. The theory of integrable systems of statistical mechanics and quantum field theory is currently one of most rapidly developing and fascinating subjects in theoretical physics and mathematics.
It allows to obtain an exact description of strongly-interacting quantum systems in one or two space dimensions and provides fundamental tools for understanding of critical phenomena and physics of small systems like quantum wires, carbon nanotubes and Josephson junctions. The project addresses two particular problems in this field: the three-dimensional lattice model with continuous spins and calculation of form factors in a two-dimensional massive field theory with a supersymmetry.
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Ionization and excitation of excited helium atoms. Our ability to improve the performance and reliability of electronic devices based around discharge technology relies upon our ability to model and quantify the energy-exchange processes which drive them. Our research will highlight the nature of highly-excited helium atoms and the way they interact with their environment. The purpose of our work is twofold; firstly to provide stringent tests to theory to enhance our understanding of mechanisms ....Ionization and excitation of excited helium atoms. Our ability to improve the performance and reliability of electronic devices based around discharge technology relies upon our ability to model and quantify the energy-exchange processes which drive them. Our research will highlight the nature of highly-excited helium atoms and the way they interact with their environment. The purpose of our work is twofold; firstly to provide stringent tests to theory to enhance our understanding of mechanisms driving discharge-based devices and secondly, to provide benchmark reaction rates which can be used in the modeling of discharge-based devices to improve their performance.Read moreRead less
Investigating Near-Threshold Atomic and Molecular Collision Processes with Multiparameter Detection Techniques. We are proposing to perform state-of-the-art, electron impact excitation and ionization measurements on a range of atoms and molecules. The combination of new detector technology and innovative experimental design will enable measurements of near-threshold excitation and ionization in a number of important atomic and molecular systems. The measurements will have implications for the ....Investigating Near-Threshold Atomic and Molecular Collision Processes with Multiparameter Detection Techniques. We are proposing to perform state-of-the-art, electron impact excitation and ionization measurements on a range of atoms and molecules. The combination of new detector technology and innovative experimental design will enable measurements of near-threshold excitation and ionization in a number of important atomic and molecular systems. The measurements will have implications for the further development of atomic scattering theory, particularly the role of electron-electron correlations, and provide much needed absolute scattering information on the excitation of molecules which are of relevance to our atmosphere and various technological devices.Read moreRead less