Room-temperature quantum microscopy for advanced nanoscale imaging. Original, inspired and most often cross-disciplinary efforts are the only way to solve some of nature's most obscure mysteries. Successful development of high-resolution quantum microscopy will lead to a range of benefits for the community and the nation; from graduate student training in cutting edge technology, building links between academic, industry and government groups to providing new insights and approaches into diseas ....Room-temperature quantum microscopy for advanced nanoscale imaging. Original, inspired and most often cross-disciplinary efforts are the only way to solve some of nature's most obscure mysteries. Successful development of high-resolution quantum microscopy will lead to a range of benefits for the community and the nation; from graduate student training in cutting edge technology, building links between academic, industry and government groups to providing new insights and approaches into disease identification and therapy. This project aims to demonstrate a world-first in imaging sensitivity, and success will directly enhance Australia's global reputation as a leader in innovation and collaboration. Read moreRead less
Sub-picosecond studies of matter using intense light from a Free Electron Laser. An Australian research group will use their new ultra-fast timing technology in combination with a new, extremely bright light source, the FERMI Free Electron Laser, Italy. FERMI makes picosecond wide light pulses - the timing technology measures times significantly shorter than a nanosecond. In combination, the way intense light effects the structure of atoms & molecules is studied, leading to an in-depth understa ....Sub-picosecond studies of matter using intense light from a Free Electron Laser. An Australian research group will use their new ultra-fast timing technology in combination with a new, extremely bright light source, the FERMI Free Electron Laser, Italy. FERMI makes picosecond wide light pulses - the timing technology measures times significantly shorter than a nanosecond. In combination, the way intense light effects the structure of atoms & molecules is studied, leading to an in-depth understanding of the processes involved. The new detector technology will be characterised using an electron recycling spectrometer, a new method for making electron beams of a particular energy by storing electrons in a racetrack orbit.Read moreRead less
Probing Electron Dynamics in the Molecular Frame. The outcome of this project will be an improved understanding of the molecular fragmentation process, enhancing our ability to control chemical reactions through a better knowledge of the mechanisms which drive them. By providing data which will stimulate the development of theory it will encourage creativity and innovation. Results will contribute to building a strong foundation in the fundamental physical sciences and lead to advances in area ....Probing Electron Dynamics in the Molecular Frame. The outcome of this project will be an improved understanding of the molecular fragmentation process, enhancing our ability to control chemical reactions through a better knowledge of the mechanisms which drive them. By providing data which will stimulate the development of theory it will encourage creativity and innovation. Results will contribute to building a strong foundation in the fundamental physical sciences and lead to advances in areas ranging from quantum chemistry, the chemistry of planetary atmospheres to mechanisms responsible for radiation damage in biological systems.Read moreRead less
Narrowband coherent light sources for spectroscopic sensing. The project will develop optical instruments and sensing techniques based on novel high-performance tunable optical parametric oscillator devices. These laser-like devices will be designed to monitor gases in a highly sensitive, molecule-specific way and thus indicate the presence and concentration of particular species with characteristic spectroscopic signatures. Useful applications will include optical sensing in science, industry ....Narrowband coherent light sources for spectroscopic sensing. The project will develop optical instruments and sensing techniques based on novel high-performance tunable optical parametric oscillator devices. These laser-like devices will be designed to monitor gases in a highly sensitive, molecule-specific way and thus indicate the presence and concentration of particular species with characteristic spectroscopic signatures. Useful applications will include optical sensing in science, industry, medicine, agriculture, community security, and the environment. In addition to making significant scientific discoveries and technological advances, the project will provide training for postgraduate research students and will develop intellectual property that may be of commercial benefit.Read moreRead less
Environmental and Technological Applications of Electron-Driven Processes. We plan to use state-of-the-art experimental techniques and methodologies for the measurement of collision cross sections and reaction rates for low energy electron-driven process in molecules and molecular radicals. These processes are fundamental to our understanding of our environment and many devices used in the technology of today and of the future. In particular we will provide accurate cross sections for NOx and SO ....Environmental and Technological Applications of Electron-Driven Processes. We plan to use state-of-the-art experimental techniques and methodologies for the measurement of collision cross sections and reaction rates for low energy electron-driven process in molecules and molecular radicals. These processes are fundamental to our understanding of our environment and many devices used in the technology of today and of the future. In particular we will provide accurate cross sections for NOx and SOx pollutants and H2O, as well for molecules such as C4F8, and its radicals such as CF2, which are used extensively in plasma processing technologies.Read moreRead less
Quantum Entanglement of Protons Studied by Electron Scattering at High Momentum Transfer. Eighty years after the establishment of quantum mechanics protons in matter are still largely seen as 'classical' particles, that do not interfere in ways known to occur for light and electrons. There are indications from neutron and electron scattering experiments from solids that, for extremely short time scales, (one-millionth of a nanosecond), this picture is too simple. The proposed experiment seeks t ....Quantum Entanglement of Protons Studied by Electron Scattering at High Momentum Transfer. Eighty years after the establishment of quantum mechanics protons in matter are still largely seen as 'classical' particles, that do not interfere in ways known to occur for light and electrons. There are indications from neutron and electron scattering experiments from solids that, for extremely short time scales, (one-millionth of a nanosecond), this picture is too simple. The proposed experiment seeks to establish this fact for molecules in the gas-phase. As the chemical bond is formed at similar time-scales these experiments will improve our understanding of chemical reactions, and hence be of great value for the chemical industry.Read moreRead less
Collision Studies with Laser-Cooled Metastable Helium Atoms - Recoil Atom Spectroscopy. This project will provide the first absolute, differential measurements of the scattering of low energy electrons from metastable excited helium atoms. Laser-cooling techniques are used to create a bright, slow helium beam and a unique approach, where the recoiling atoms are detected, is used for the scattering measurements. Such measurements are of critical importance in the assessment of new scattering th ....Collision Studies with Laser-Cooled Metastable Helium Atoms - Recoil Atom Spectroscopy. This project will provide the first absolute, differential measurements of the scattering of low energy electrons from metastable excited helium atoms. Laser-cooling techniques are used to create a bright, slow helium beam and a unique approach, where the recoiling atoms are detected, is used for the scattering measurements. Such measurements are of critical importance in the assessment of new scattering theories for excited states and in understanding the role which excited species play in the behaviour of low temperature gas discharges and thus also on the operation of many important devices and phenomena which are based on discharge technology.Read moreRead less
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
Dynamic Correlations and Coherence Effects in Two-Electron Emission Processes. The electronic structure and properties of matter are determined by the correlated motion of electrons. Thus an understanding of this quantum mechanical many-body problem is central to our understanding of nature. We will apply laser-based quantum-state-selective techniques and advanced instrumentation to uncover new phenomena in many-body spin-correlated electron dynamics, quantum coherence and entanglement. The resu ....Dynamic Correlations and Coherence Effects in Two-Electron Emission Processes. The electronic structure and properties of matter are determined by the correlated motion of electrons. Thus an understanding of this quantum mechanical many-body problem is central to our understanding of nature. We will apply laser-based quantum-state-selective techniques and advanced instrumentation to uncover new phenomena in many-body spin-correlated electron dynamics, quantum coherence and entanglement. The resulting benchmark data will force significant developments in theory, extending its predictive power to drive advancements in areas ranging from industrial and astrophysical plasmas, gas discharges, lasers, and planetary atmospheres, to nanoscale electronic and spintronic devices.Read moreRead less
Development of a neutral helium beam microscope. This project would demonstrate Australia's capability in developing leading edge technologies applicable to the growing nanotechnology industry. The development of a neutral helium beam microscope brings into Australia expertise in the emerging field of molecular optics, and would place Australia as one of the first countries to make a commitment to this field. The project will develop a prototype instrument which is aimed at becoming a commercial ....Development of a neutral helium beam microscope. This project would demonstrate Australia's capability in developing leading edge technologies applicable to the growing nanotechnology industry. The development of a neutral helium beam microscope brings into Australia expertise in the emerging field of molecular optics, and would place Australia as one of the first countries to make a commitment to this field. The project will develop a prototype instrument which is aimed at becoming a commercially viable product - the neutral helium beam microscope. The possibilities of using the microscope system as a nanofabrication device would also give researchers in Australia the ability to fabricate structures that could not be manufactured anywhere else in the world.Read moreRead less