Gravitational wave astrophysics with Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO). The prediction that space and time vibrate is one of Einstein's greatest legacies, implying the existence of a new form of radiation with which to study the Universe. This project puts Australia in the vanguard of the billion-dollar effort worldwide to detect and harness this radiation for the first time.
The origin and evolution of heavy elements in the early universe. Everything in our Solar System, including all life on Earth, was created long ago out of material forged inside fiery stellar furnaces. The latest theoretical simulations of element production in red giant stars reveals the processes that gave us our existence, as well as help us to understand the origin of the galaxy that we inhabit.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130101087
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$359,026.00
Summary
Modelling superfluid neutron stars. This project aims to construct realistic neutron star models, that will be used to interpret radio and x-ray data, but also to aid gravitational wave detection. These models will allow the study of matter at extreme densities in the stellar interior, well above nuclear density, thus making use of the most exciting physics laboratory in the cosmos.
Modelling the chemical enrichment of the Milky Way. This project aims to understand the chemical and dynamical evolution of the Milky Way Galaxy from its birth to the present. Astrophysicists try to understand the production of the elements over cosmic time, using telescopes and satellites costing billions of dollars. This project will calculate the evolutionary history and detailed nuclear processes in stars of all masses and compositions. When coupled with dynamical models for stars in the Mil ....Modelling the chemical enrichment of the Milky Way. This project aims to understand the chemical and dynamical evolution of the Milky Way Galaxy from its birth to the present. Astrophysicists try to understand the production of the elements over cosmic time, using telescopes and satellites costing billions of dollars. This project will calculate the evolutionary history and detailed nuclear processes in stars of all masses and compositions. When coupled with dynamical models for stars in the Milky Way, this project will categorise how the composition changes with time, thus extracting the maximum understanding from the wealth of data to be delivered in the next few years.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE160100080
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$195,000.00
Summary
Detector system for the First Australian Experiment on Dark Matter. Detector system for the first Australian experiment on dark matter:
This project involves the installation of equipment for an experiment to detect our galaxy's dark matter via nuclear recoil. Here in the Southern Hemisphere, we have a crucial advantage in the search for dark matter via direct detection, which will allow us to independently test the most persistent and enigmatic signal in the worldwide dark matter detection eff ....Detector system for the First Australian Experiment on Dark Matter. Detector system for the first Australian experiment on dark matter:
This project involves the installation of equipment for an experiment to detect our galaxy's dark matter via nuclear recoil. Here in the Southern Hemisphere, we have a crucial advantage in the search for dark matter via direct detection, which will allow us to independently test the most persistent and enigmatic signal in the worldwide dark matter detection effort. The detector system, called SABRE South, is designed to be paired with a matching one in the Northern Hemisphere. The research program is addressing one of the most important unsolved problems of contemporary science.Read moreRead less
Measuring critical background in the Australian search for dark matter. This project aims to develop ultra-sensitive detector technology essential for SABRE, a world-wide experiment with detectors in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres which are operated together to directly detect the dark matter halo of our Milky Way galaxy. Dark matter makes up nearly five times more mass in the universe than everything we can see, yet it has never been detected in the laboratory. SABRE South will be i ....Measuring critical background in the Australian search for dark matter. This project aims to develop ultra-sensitive detector technology essential for SABRE, a world-wide experiment with detectors in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres which are operated together to directly detect the dark matter halo of our Milky Way galaxy. Dark matter makes up nearly five times more mass in the universe than everything we can see, yet it has never been detected in the laboratory. SABRE South will be installed in the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory in a goldmine in Victoria, Australia. Dark matter is not the only thing SABRE can detect. The project will measure all possible types of naturally occurring radiation, from space, the surrounding rock, and the detectors themselves, that can blind SABRE to dark matter.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE170100162
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,000.00
Summary
Full scale detector system for dark matter. This project aims to complete a detector system to detect dark matter via nuclear recoil in the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory (SUPL). The Southern Hemisphere location and the ultra-pure crystals are a crucial advantage in the search for dark matter via direct detection. The detector system will provide the sensitivity needed to test the most persistent and enigmatic signal in the world-wide dark matter direct detection search and ensure Austra ....Full scale detector system for dark matter. This project aims to complete a detector system to detect dark matter via nuclear recoil in the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory (SUPL). The Southern Hemisphere location and the ultra-pure crystals are a crucial advantage in the search for dark matter via direct detection. The detector system will provide the sensitivity needed to test the most persistent and enigmatic signal in the world-wide dark matter direct detection search and ensure Australian leadership in this field. The discovery of dark matter is expected to be as important as that of the Higgs boson and gravitational waves.Read moreRead less
Australia’s first direct-detection dark matter search, at Stawell Gold Mine. This project aims to develop an underground integrated laboratory at Stawell Gold Mine in Victoria to host the Southern Hemisphere's first-ever direct-detection dark matter experiment. Following the Higgs boson discovery, the direct detection of dark matter is seen as the next major challenge for particle physics. This project sees Australian physicists team up with local and international partners in research and indus ....Australia’s first direct-detection dark matter search, at Stawell Gold Mine. This project aims to develop an underground integrated laboratory at Stawell Gold Mine in Victoria to host the Southern Hemisphere's first-ever direct-detection dark matter experiment. Following the Higgs boson discovery, the direct detection of dark matter is seen as the next major challenge for particle physics. This project sees Australian physicists team up with local and international partners in research and industry to join the search for dark matter. This Australian experiment aims to help to confirm or deny current results from Northern Hemisphere experiments. As the mine nears the end of its working life as a gold mine, this project is expected to benefit the local economy and provide opportunities for education and outreach.Read moreRead less
The origin of the elements heavier than iron. This research investigates the cosmic origin of the elements heavier than iron, as they are produced by nuclear reactions inside stars. The study of these elements in stars and meteorites will help us to understand the origin and history of the Solar System, of old stars and of stellar clusters and galaxies.