Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140100784
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$395,220.00
Summary
Breaking through the barrier: a new approach to understanding quantum tunneling in nuclear fusion. Experiments have shown major failings of our best predictive model of nuclear fusion. This project will address these failings through a multifaceted research program which will develop and benchmark an enhanced quantum model and test for missing physics by conducting precision fusion measurements for carefully chosen reactions. This project will develop a new technique that exploits fission follow ....Breaking through the barrier: a new approach to understanding quantum tunneling in nuclear fusion. Experiments have shown major failings of our best predictive model of nuclear fusion. This project will address these failings through a multifaceted research program which will develop and benchmark an enhanced quantum model and test for missing physics by conducting precision fusion measurements for carefully chosen reactions. This project will develop a new technique that exploits fission following fusion to directly probe physical processes inside the fusion barrier, which are missing from current models. This integrated approach to fusion will allow us to better predict fusion cross sections, create new elements and exploit radioactive ion beams at new international facilities.Read moreRead less
Reaching the superheavy elements: a quantitative understanding through integrating new reaction time measurements with theoretical models. The project will develop new experimental methods to give unique insights into the interplay of quantum effects in nuclear fusion reactions forming heavy elements. The results will guide theoretical model developments to enhance understanding, and predict optimal opportunities to form new elements and isotopes with future rare isotope accelerators.
Mapping the microscopic pathway to dissipation in quantum nuclear collisions. Nuclear reactions power the universe and produce all the chemical elements, whose abundances are a sensitive probe of energetic cosmic events. Our new concepts and experiments will probe the boundaries of the quantum world, guide applications of international radioactive isotope accelerators and address the problem of lithium abundance in the cosmos.
Ultrasensitive single atom-counting for astrophysics and nuclear technology. This project aims to study nuclear reactions identified as highest priority by United States and European working groups. This project addresses a wide range of applications that are critical to society, the generation of energy (nuclear fusion, fission, advanced nuclear systems), medical applications, national security and environmental applications. It addresses the fundamental question of where all the elements origi ....Ultrasensitive single atom-counting for astrophysics and nuclear technology. This project aims to study nuclear reactions identified as highest priority by United States and European working groups. This project addresses a wide range of applications that are critical to society, the generation of energy (nuclear fusion, fission, advanced nuclear systems), medical applications, national security and environmental applications. It addresses the fundamental question of where all the elements originate and will benefit the general community with qualified research in nuclear technology, non-proliferation, nuclear safeguards and through accelerator-based research relevant, for example, for hadron therapy.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL110100098
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,750,752.00
Summary
Frontiers of reaction dynamics for new generation accelerator science. Innovative concepts and new Australian capabilities will be combined to understand reactions of exotic isotopes. This will underpin applications of next generation international rare isotope accelerators to advance many areas of physics, medical science and future energy technologies. The project strengthens national capacity in a strategic area.
Leading a coordinated international approach to understand the zeptosecond physics of superheavy element formation. Unique Australian experimental developments and concepts, to track the zeptosecond dynamics of fusion forming superheavy elements, have revealed unexpectedly strong quantum effects. The impact of these insights is attracting world-leaders in this vigorous field to collaborate with us. Leading an ambitious coordinated program of experiments in Australia and at big international faci ....Leading a coordinated international approach to understand the zeptosecond physics of superheavy element formation. Unique Australian experimental developments and concepts, to track the zeptosecond dynamics of fusion forming superheavy elements, have revealed unexpectedly strong quantum effects. The impact of these insights is attracting world-leaders in this vigorous field to collaborate with us. Leading an ambitious coordinated program of experiments in Australia and at big international facilities, and driving theoretical developments, this project will pin down the dynamics of heavy element formation. This will be a high-profile outcome from recent investment in Australian accelerators. Mapping out future opportunities at worldwide billion dollar accelerator developments will secure a strong Australian engagement and benefit from these massive investments.Read moreRead less
From coherent to dissipative dynamics in complex quantum systems: opening a new window through nuclear fusion. The new ideas and precision measurement technologies in the project will enhance the reputation of Australian research in the fundamental subjects of quantum tunnelling and nuclear fusion. The cutting-edge work, and its international linkages, provides outstanding training in quantum and nuclear science of national and international significance.
Deep-sea observatories for astrophysics - stardust on the ocean floor. This project aims to study the past 10 million years for unique signatures trapped in Earth’s deep ocean archives. It will investigate how and where the heavy elements are made in nature, and if nearby supernovae impacted on Earth. The project will provide a detailed time history of close-by supernova events. The set of radionuclide data can also be utilised for Earth’s climate record. The training included will provide quali ....Deep-sea observatories for astrophysics - stardust on the ocean floor. This project aims to study the past 10 million years for unique signatures trapped in Earth’s deep ocean archives. It will investigate how and where the heavy elements are made in nature, and if nearby supernovae impacted on Earth. The project will provide a detailed time history of close-by supernova events. The set of radionuclide data can also be utilised for Earth’s climate record. The training included will provide qualified researchers for many fields, such as nuclear technology, nonproliferation, medical physics and nuclear safeguards, important for national security, health and economy.Read moreRead less
Laboratory studies of Nucleosynthesis via Accelerator Mass Spectrometry. This project aims at laboratory studies of stellar nucleosynthesis applying ultra-sensitive accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) measurements. The project will focus on reactions which are essential to open questions in modelling nucleosynthesis in stars, that is where no data exist at all, or are scarce and discrepant; in particular for neutron- and charged-particle induced reactions relevant to the s-and p-process where an ....Laboratory studies of Nucleosynthesis via Accelerator Mass Spectrometry. This project aims at laboratory studies of stellar nucleosynthesis applying ultra-sensitive accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) measurements. The project will focus on reactions which are essential to open questions in modelling nucleosynthesis in stars, that is where no data exist at all, or are scarce and discrepant; in particular for neutron- and charged-particle induced reactions relevant to the s-and p-process where an extremely sensitive detection method is required. New data for key nuclear reactions will be connected with theory, for testing and improving theoretical predictions. They will be highly beneficial for modelling the respective nucleosynthesis processes in stars and for our understanding of the elemental abundance of our solar system.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE150100064
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,000.00
Summary
New Data Acquisition Capabilities for the Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility. New data acquisition capabilities for Australia's heavy ion accelerator facility: Australia's heavy ion accelerator facility supports a wide range of high quality research in pure and applied nuclear physics. This research relies upon multi-parameter data acquisition, in which the pulses from many detectors are recorded event-by-event. By replacing the facility's obsolescent data acquisition system, this project aims to up ....New Data Acquisition Capabilities for the Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility. New data acquisition capabilities for Australia's heavy ion accelerator facility: Australia's heavy ion accelerator facility supports a wide range of high quality research in pure and applied nuclear physics. This research relies upon multi-parameter data acquisition, in which the pulses from many detectors are recorded event-by-event. By replacing the facility's obsolescent data acquisition system, this project aims to update and expand the capability for conventional analog data taking, to develop new capability for digital data acquisition, and to enable multiple users to take data at the same time. These features will greatly improve research possibilities and productivity for users of the heavy ion accelerator facility.Read moreRead less