Multi Tower Solar Array (MTSA) for combined heat and power applications in urban areas. The MTSA is a highly compact, middle-scale (0.5 - 10 MW) solar power concept designed for urban areas. It comprises an array of small towers with high mounted receivers which collect sunlight from a very densely packed reflector field below. Reflectors can be aimed at different towers during the day to minimise blocking and shading losses. A prototype MTSA system to be constructed will test new reflector modu ....Multi Tower Solar Array (MTSA) for combined heat and power applications in urban areas. The MTSA is a highly compact, middle-scale (0.5 - 10 MW) solar power concept designed for urban areas. It comprises an array of small towers with high mounted receivers which collect sunlight from a very densely packed reflector field below. Reflectors can be aimed at different towers during the day to minimise blocking and shading losses. A prototype MTSA system to be constructed will test new reflector modules developed in conjunction with Solahart Industries (Perth). Innovative receivers incorporating spectral control, and both photovoltaic and thermal electricity generation paths will also be developed.Read moreRead less
Dynamics of multi-component matter waves. The recent observation of Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) in weakly interacting ultracold gases has opened the door to the field of coherent matter-wave optics. When the BEC is treated within a mean-field approach the equations resemble those for the propagation of light in nonlinear media. The main aim of this project is to bring our broad and deep nonlinear optical expertise to bare on the classical nonlinear dynamics of multi-component BEC like syste ....Dynamics of multi-component matter waves. The recent observation of Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) in weakly interacting ultracold gases has opened the door to the field of coherent matter-wave optics. When the BEC is treated within a mean-field approach the equations resemble those for the propagation of light in nonlinear media. The main aim of this project is to bring our broad and deep nonlinear optical expertise to bare on the classical nonlinear dynamics of multi-component BEC like systems. The expected outcome is a position of world leadership in the theoretical understanding of the dynamics of atom lasers, mixed atom-molecule BECs, and fragmented BECs in optical lattices.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
Many-body quantum effects in the physics of ultracold atoms. The project will advance the fundamental research in quantum atom optics by exploring the mysterious many-body quantum phenomena in the systems of ultracold atoms. It will therefore contribute into the fundamental knowledge base that underpins future quantum technologies based on manipulating and utilizing the systems of ultracold atoms. The project will also further Australia's international competitive ability in fundamental research ....Many-body quantum effects in the physics of ultracold atoms. The project will advance the fundamental research in quantum atom optics by exploring the mysterious many-body quantum phenomena in the systems of ultracold atoms. It will therefore contribute into the fundamental knowledge base that underpins future quantum technologies based on manipulating and utilizing the systems of ultracold atoms. The project will also further Australia's international competitive ability in fundamental research and strengthen its reputation in the field of quantum atom optics.Read moreRead less
Fibre Optic Dosimeters for Medical and Environmental Applications. We will develop fibre optic dosimeters for environmental monitoring and radiation therapy. A novel approach using refractive index gradients will be used to capture scintillator light while rejecting noise. New knowledge will be gained of the mechanisms of radiation damage in scintillators and glasses. The small, flexible, accurate fibre optic dosimeters will be equivalent in absorbing characteristics to human tissue, making them ....Fibre Optic Dosimeters for Medical and Environmental Applications. We will develop fibre optic dosimeters for environmental monitoring and radiation therapy. A novel approach using refractive index gradients will be used to capture scintillator light while rejecting noise. New knowledge will be gained of the mechanisms of radiation damage in scintillators and glasses. The small, flexible, accurate fibre optic dosimeters will be equivalent in absorbing characteristics to human tissue, making them superior to all currently available dosimeters. Fibre optic dosimeters will enable new adaptive radiotherapy techniques and provide quality assurance of dose delivery in radiotherapy. Their multiplexing capability will lead to applications in monitoring of workplaces and aerospace environments.Read moreRead less
How Does a Bose-Einstein Condensate Develop Phase? The demonstration of Bose-Einstein Condensation in 1995 was a major milestone in physics. When atoms are extremely cold, their de Broglie wavelengths can overlap, forming a single macroscopic quantum fluid with well defined phase. Theorists have long pondered the origins of this phase. In this experimental program we aim to answer for the first time the intriguing question: "How does a BEC develop phase?". The answer will also be important fo ....How Does a Bose-Einstein Condensate Develop Phase? The demonstration of Bose-Einstein Condensation in 1995 was a major milestone in physics. When atoms are extremely cold, their de Broglie wavelengths can overlap, forming a single macroscopic quantum fluid with well defined phase. Theorists have long pondered the origins of this phase. In this experimental program we aim to answer for the first time the intriguing question: "How does a BEC develop phase?". The answer will also be important for the recently developed atom laser - with potential applications as wide-reaching as the laser - where understanding the phase coherence is important for devices such as atom interferometers.Read moreRead less
Power scaling of remote plasma sources for gallium nitride film growth with real-time monitoring of activated nitrogen species. Domestic, industrial and community lighting currently accounts for ~20% of the world's overall energy consumption. Commonly used incandescent lights are based on inefficient, century-old technologies. In contrast, light emitting diodes (LEDs) use ~80% less energy and last ~100 times longer. LED deployment will bring substantial economic and environmental benefits for Au ....Power scaling of remote plasma sources for gallium nitride film growth with real-time monitoring of activated nitrogen species. Domestic, industrial and community lighting currently accounts for ~20% of the world's overall energy consumption. Commonly used incandescent lights are based on inefficient, century-old technologies. In contrast, light emitting diodes (LEDs) use ~80% less energy and last ~100 times longer. LED deployment will bring substantial economic and environmental benefits for Australia and globally. Next generation high-efficiency LEDs for lighting, will operate with reduced energy consumption, thus contributing to reaching future national targets for CO2 emission reduction. This project will achieve reduced production cost of a key LED material, and will support Australia's leadership in a growing global semiconductor manufacturing industry.Read moreRead less
The first critical tests of many-body and correlated Quantum Electro-Dynamics (QED) in medium-Z atomic systems. Major difficulties are being encountered in the computation of high-order and correlated terms of Quantum Electro-Dynamical effects in atoms. We will make the first measurements for medium-Z atoms critically sensitive to two-electron QED, and the first tests of QED in this region accurate to 1%. This accuracy will allow new insight into two-electron systems, theoretical approaches, and ....The first critical tests of many-body and correlated Quantum Electro-Dynamics (QED) in medium-Z atomic systems. Major difficulties are being encountered in the computation of high-order and correlated terms of Quantum Electro-Dynamical effects in atoms. We will make the first measurements for medium-Z atoms critically sensitive to two-electron QED, and the first tests of QED in this region accurate to 1%. This accuracy will allow new insight into two-electron systems, theoretical approaches, and recent observed discrepancies between QED theory and experiment. This proposal follows recent successful experimental work using new capabilities of Electron-Beam Ion Traps (EBITs). Our recent publications have proven that this novel approach can yield new insight into the interaction of light with matter.Read moreRead less
Nonlinear atom optics of Bose-Einstein condensates in optical lattices. When a new state of matter - Bose-Einstein condensate - is trapped in a periodic potential created by light, it forms a unique, reconfigurable nano-scale system with unprecedented control over its properties. Its behaviour ranges from quantum to classical, from linear to nonlinear, and from continuous to discrete. This project aims to develop a theory for the nonlinear localization, transport, and excitation of BEC in the op ....Nonlinear atom optics of Bose-Einstein condensates in optical lattices. When a new state of matter - Bose-Einstein condensate - is trapped in a periodic potential created by light, it forms a unique, reconfigurable nano-scale system with unprecedented control over its properties. Its behaviour ranges from quantum to classical, from linear to nonlinear, and from continuous to discrete. This project aims to develop a theory for the nonlinear localization, transport, and excitation of BEC in the optical lattices. Its outcome will provide an important assessment of the feasibility of the proposed use of the BEC in optical lattices in quantum computing, information storage, precision measurements, and nanotechnology.
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