Novel Fermion Actions for Lattice Gauge Theory. The Standard Model of the universe is founded on quantum field theories in which gauge bosons mediate the forces between fermions, the constituents of matter. For example, the gluon of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) mediates the strong interactions between quarks as they compose protons, and neutrons. The only way to reveal the long-distance properties of this fundamental gauge theory from first principles is to numerically simulate the theory on a s ....Novel Fermion Actions for Lattice Gauge Theory. The Standard Model of the universe is founded on quantum field theories in which gauge bosons mediate the forces between fermions, the constituents of matter. For example, the gluon of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) mediates the strong interactions between quarks as they compose protons, and neutrons. The only way to reveal the long-distance properties of this fundamental gauge theory from first principles is to numerically simulate the theory on a space-time lattice. Simulating fermions on a lattice has proved very challenging. This project will explore novel and innovative improved fermion algorithms for the general problem of gauge theories on the lattice.Read moreRead less
A programme to study quarkonium-like states at ATLAS. Particle physics, the study of the fundamental building blocks of matter, has pioneered the use of large collaborations --- hundreds of scientists working in dozens of countries --- to solve difficult research problems. Australian groups have contributed to several such experiments, studying cosmic rays, neutrinos, and broken symmetries, as well as developing ATLAS, a vast experiment dedicated to understanding the origin of mass. This projec ....A programme to study quarkonium-like states at ATLAS. Particle physics, the study of the fundamental building blocks of matter, has pioneered the use of large collaborations --- hundreds of scientists working in dozens of countries --- to solve difficult research problems. Australian groups have contributed to several such experiments, studying cosmic rays, neutrinos, and broken symmetries, as well as developing ATLAS, a vast experiment dedicated to understanding the origin of mass. This project seeks to use ATLAS for a new purpose: searching for exotic mesons. Our existing commitment to ATLAS provides an opportunity to develop this as a new avenue of fundamental research in this country.Read moreRead less
Dark Matter Discovery. Dark matter research is fundamental breakthrough science, thus its National and Community benefits can only be indirect. This, nevertheless, does not reduce the importance of these benefits. The proposed program strengthens Australian fundamental science by extending it in a new direction, and considerably boosts the quality of theoretical dark matter research in Australia. Since a large part of the proposed work is expected to be performed in international collaboratio ....Dark Matter Discovery. Dark matter research is fundamental breakthrough science, thus its National and Community benefits can only be indirect. This, nevertheless, does not reduce the importance of these benefits. The proposed program strengthens Australian fundamental science by extending it in a new direction, and considerably boosts the quality of theoretical dark matter research in Australia. Since a large part of the proposed work is expected to be performed in international collaboration, positive results will increase the Australian presence on the international astro-particle physics scene. Successful students involved in this project are also expected to assume leading roles in international dark matter research.Read moreRead less
Origins of our Universe. The present proposal will study the origins of our Universe, which is one of the grand challenges of 21st century physics. As such it will utilise insights and discoveries in many areas of physics, ranging from string theory and particle physics at the highest energies, to x-ray, optical and radio astronomy. The research program will add to our understanding of a fundamental branch of science - extending it in new directions - thereby considerably boosting the quality of ....Origins of our Universe. The present proposal will study the origins of our Universe, which is one of the grand challenges of 21st century physics. As such it will utilise insights and discoveries in many areas of physics, ranging from string theory and particle physics at the highest energies, to x-ray, optical and radio astronomy. The research program will add to our understanding of a fundamental branch of science - extending it in new directions - thereby considerably boosting the quality of cosmology and theoretical physics research in Australia. In concert with our international collaborations, work arising from this fellowship will enhance the Australian presence on the international cosmology, astro-particle, and theoretical physics scene.
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Fusion Energy and the Physics of Burning Plasmas. The world faces a global energy crisis. Our standard of living, which is largely powered by base-load electricity supply, is unsustainable. Fusion power is a near zero greenhouse gas technology, which promises millions of years of base-load electricity, free from weapon proliferation. This promise has galvanised the international community to accelerate fusion development by committing to the next-step technology-enabling $16 billion experiment, ....Fusion Energy and the Physics of Burning Plasmas. The world faces a global energy crisis. Our standard of living, which is largely powered by base-load electricity supply, is unsustainable. Fusion power is a near zero greenhouse gas technology, which promises millions of years of base-load electricity, free from weapon proliferation. This promise has galvanised the international community to accelerate fusion development by committing to the next-step technology-enabling $16 billion experiment, International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). In anticipation of ITER, this fellowship will foster growth of Australian fusion research, and address a grand science challenge facing ITER: how do we maintain burn in the face of potentially damaging plasma instabilities? The answer will affect both ITER and the viability of fusion power.Read moreRead less
The Essence of QCD Vacuum Structure. This first-principles study of quantum field theory will elucidate an outstanding mystery of modern particle physics. Understanding confinement is recognized as one of the top 10 Physics Questions to Ponder for a Millennium or Two. In support of the National Research Priorities, new scientific data visualization techniques will be transferred to industry, facilitating smart information use. Further economic benefits are realized through the training and devel ....The Essence of QCD Vacuum Structure. This first-principles study of quantum field theory will elucidate an outstanding mystery of modern particle physics. Understanding confinement is recognized as one of the top 10 Physics Questions to Ponder for a Millennium or Two. In support of the National Research Priorities, new scientific data visualization techniques will be transferred to industry, facilitating smart information use. Further economic benefits are realized through the training and development of expertise in high-performance parallel computing, promoting an innovation culture and economy. The opportunity for young Australian Honours and Postgraduate students to work at the forefront of nuclear and particle theory is an obvious social benefit.
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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
Field Statistics of Space and Astrophysical Phenomena. Waves and radiation typically occur in bursts and persist, with their driving particle distributions, for unexpectedly long distances in space and astrophysical sources. These features cannot be accounted for with older plasma theory but are explained naturally with stochastic growth theory (SGT). Recent observations show SGT to be widely applicable in space and for pulsars. We propose to make SGT into a quantitative dynamic theory tested on ....Field Statistics of Space and Astrophysical Phenomena. Waves and radiation typically occur in bursts and persist, with their driving particle distributions, for unexpectedly long distances in space and astrophysical sources. These features cannot be accounted for with older plasma theory but are explained naturally with stochastic growth theory (SGT). Recent observations show SGT to be widely applicable in space and for pulsars. We propose to make SGT into a quantitative dynamic theory tested on known SGT systems, to discover and interpret field statistics of natural radio emissions, and to develop and test observationally theories based on SGT and associated wave/radiation processes for key space and astrophysical phenomena.Read moreRead less
Wave Localization and Burstiness in Type III Solar Radio Bursts. The project will raise Australia's scientific standing and expertise in space and plasma physics, space weather, and complex systems due to new discoveries, theories, publications, and invited talks. It supports Australia's involvement in NASA's $600M STEREO mission and other space efforts, and greatly leverages Australia's small numbers and budget on the world stage. The project will enhance Australia's human capital due to high-l ....Wave Localization and Burstiness in Type III Solar Radio Bursts. The project will raise Australia's scientific standing and expertise in space and plasma physics, space weather, and complex systems due to new discoveries, theories, publications, and invited talks. It supports Australia's involvement in NASA's $600M STEREO mission and other space efforts, and greatly leverages Australia's small numbers and budget on the world stage. The project will enhance Australia's human capital due to high-level training and increased expertise of new staff, students, and CIs. The new data and methods will develop, better exploit, and make more competitive Australia's scientific infrastructure. Last, the exciting discoveries expected will attract the international media and increase science's appeal to the public.Read moreRead less
Molecular genetic analyses of trinucleotide repeat expansions. Several neuronal diseases like Huntington's disease, Frederick's ataxia and fragile X syndrome are caused by expansion of trinucleotide repeat sequences in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). These diseases show progressive severity in subsequent generations. Here we use a simple plant model with a very similar DNA mutation to study the genetic basis of repeat expansions over several generations across populations. This proposal will im ....Molecular genetic analyses of trinucleotide repeat expansions. Several neuronal diseases like Huntington's disease, Frederick's ataxia and fragile X syndrome are caused by expansion of trinucleotide repeat sequences in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). These diseases show progressive severity in subsequent generations. Here we use a simple plant model with a very similar DNA mutation to study the genetic basis of repeat expansions over several generations across populations. This proposal will improve our mechanistic understanding of genetic diseases in populations. In addition, this proposal is expected to lead to identification of potential targets and technologies that would be of interest to Australian industry.Read moreRead less