Slow-light photonics. This project will introduce and demonstrate novel concepts for the manipulation of optical signals in ultra-compact photonics devices, making an essential step towards fast all-optical switching and processing of data streams. These developments underpin the next generation of high-performance networks, promising to revolutionize global communications. This project will keep Australia at the forefront of international research and provide training of students on breakthroug ....Slow-light photonics. This project will introduce and demonstrate novel concepts for the manipulation of optical signals in ultra-compact photonics devices, making an essential step towards fast all-optical switching and processing of data streams. These developments underpin the next generation of high-performance networks, promising to revolutionize global communications. This project will keep Australia at the forefront of international research and provide training of students on breakthrough applications of photonics and nanotechnology, contributing to the uptake of frontier technologies by Australian industries for successful operation in a competitive global environment.Read moreRead less
New quantitative methods in X-ray imaging using crystal optics. This project will enhance Australian science's international leadership in the area of x-ray imaging. This powerful type of X-ray imaging, which makes use of optical elements made of perfect crystals, is specially tailored to image samples which are invisible to conventional x-ray techniques. Such "extended x-ray vision" is extremely important for imaging in medicine, biology and materials science. Furthermore, we will train x-ray s ....New quantitative methods in X-ray imaging using crystal optics. This project will enhance Australian science's international leadership in the area of x-ray imaging. This powerful type of X-ray imaging, which makes use of optical elements made of perfect crystals, is specially tailored to image samples which are invisible to conventional x-ray techniques. Such "extended x-ray vision" is extremely important for imaging in medicine, biology and materials science. Furthermore, we will train x-ray scientists of tomorrow, whose expertise will allow Australia to capitalize on its investment in the Australian Synchrotron.Read moreRead less
Multi-dimensional optical data storage based on nanophotonics - the third generation optical data storage technology. The key-sector in high tech markets has been the photonics industry over the last decade, and it will continue to revolutionise our ways of information storage, processing and transfer for the next 10 to 20 years. The current project of high-capacity Petabyte optical data storage, i.e the third generation optical data storage, will prove to be the key technological innovation in ....Multi-dimensional optical data storage based on nanophotonics - the third generation optical data storage technology. The key-sector in high tech markets has been the photonics industry over the last decade, and it will continue to revolutionise our ways of information storage, processing and transfer for the next 10 to 20 years. The current project of high-capacity Petabyte optical data storage, i.e the third generation optical data storage, will prove to be the key technological innovation in photonics (one of the National Research Priorities), which will not only meet the growing demands of the consumer market, but also continue to drive the industry and create new markets. This is in line with the Priority Goals set by the Minister for Education, Science and Training, as it will put Australia into the unique position in the information age. Read moreRead less
Nano-photonic fabrication and storage using near-field super-resolving probes. The aim of the project is to develop a novel near-field storage device and nano-fabrication instruments, which are based on the super-resolution technique. As a result, the new storage device has a density 100 times of the current DVD technology. The nano-fabrication techniques can be used for all optics devices of nanometer resolution for fast information transferring. This project extends the key developments in t ....Nano-photonic fabrication and storage using near-field super-resolving probes. The aim of the project is to develop a novel near-field storage device and nano-fabrication instruments, which are based on the super-resolution technique. As a result, the new storage device has a density 100 times of the current DVD technology. The nano-fabrication techniques can be used for all optics devices of nanometer resolution for fast information transferring. This project extends the key developments in the field of nano-photonics and will put Australia in a uniquely strong position in the internationally competitive information technology field.Read moreRead less
Development of three-dimensional high-density optical data storage and photonic crystals in photo-polymers with a superresolution imaging system. The aim of this project is to develop a three-dimensional (3-D) high-density optical data storage method and photonic crystals in photo-polymers using a superresolution imaging system. As a result, it is possible to produce a 3-D data density of approximately 10 Tbits/cm3 in low-cost and erasable photo-polymers, equivalent to 3000 times the information ....Development of three-dimensional high-density optical data storage and photonic crystals in photo-polymers with a superresolution imaging system. The aim of this project is to develop a three-dimensional (3-D) high-density optical data storage method and photonic crystals in photo-polymers using a superresolution imaging system. As a result, it is possible to produce a 3-D data density of approximately 10 Tbits/cm3 in low-cost and erasable photo-polymers, equivalent to 3000 times the information in a current digital video disc (DVD). 3-D polymer-based photonic crystals will provide fast, low-cost and compact all-optics devices for optical computing technology. Consequently, the capacity and speed of information super-highways will be significantly increased, which enhances the internationally competitive ability of Australia in information technology.Read moreRead less
Photonic routing with liquid crystals. Liquid crystals became a household item but their unequaled nonlocal optical properties are much less known and studied, although the breathtaking prospects of their future applications in photonics inspire many experts around the world. We will bring to Australia the state of the art research approach, theoretical and experimental, aiming to uncover and realize the potential of long range interaction between laser light and nonlocal liquid crystals for fut ....Photonic routing with liquid crystals. Liquid crystals became a household item but their unequaled nonlocal optical properties are much less known and studied, although the breathtaking prospects of their future applications in photonics inspire many experts around the world. We will bring to Australia the state of the art research approach, theoretical and experimental, aiming to uncover and realize the potential of long range interaction between laser light and nonlocal liquid crystals for futuristic all-optical devices. This project will promote and enhance the rapid development of photonics in Australia, as well as deliver foremost practical expertise and outstanding training of young researchers.Read moreRead less
Nonlinear photonic crystals. Photonic crystals have recently became very attractive for photonic technology, that uses light instead of slow electrons as the information carriers replacing electronics in communications and information management. This project has the purpose to develop the fundamental concept of nonlinear photonic crystals and demonstrate their possible applications analysing the properties of the nonlinearity-induced light localization, nonlinear transmission, and frequency co ....Nonlinear photonic crystals. Photonic crystals have recently became very attractive for photonic technology, that uses light instead of slow electrons as the information carriers replacing electronics in communications and information management. This project has the purpose to develop the fundamental concept of nonlinear photonic crystals and demonstrate their possible applications analysing the properties of the nonlinearity-induced light localization, nonlinear transmission, and frequency conversion in band-gap materials with the intensity-dependent optical response. This will allow the possibility realising in practice nonlinear switching even for sharply bent waveguides, providing an effective way to control the flow of light in band-gap photonic circuits.Read moreRead less
Mechanical stresses in holey fibres. The development of holey fibres constitutes arguably the most exciting development in fibre optics in recent years. We will analyze the mechanical stresses in these fibres, which, together with the optical calculations and associated experiments, will allow us to design novel fibre-based devices. This will allow Nufern to develop new products based on holey fibres.
Optical and matter-wave vortices in nonlinear and inhomogeneous media. Wave phenomena of diverse nature have a strikingly similar feature of vorticity, with the energy or matter spiralling around isolated phase singularities. This project targets the fundamental theoretical research in an interdisciplinary field of singular waves transporting vortices in nonlinear and inhomogeneous media. Our project will contribute to the designated priority area "Frontier Technologies for Building and Transfor ....Optical and matter-wave vortices in nonlinear and inhomogeneous media. Wave phenomena of diverse nature have a strikingly similar feature of vorticity, with the energy or matter spiralling around isolated phase singularities. This project targets the fundamental theoretical research in an interdisciplinary field of singular waves transporting vortices in nonlinear and inhomogeneous media. Our project will contribute to the designated priority area "Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries" by providing fundamental understanding of novel physical phenomena and underpinning technological advances in the fields of photonics, atom, and electron optics, where Australia has built strong expertise and plays a significant role in the international development.Read moreRead less
Non-Interferometric Phase Measurement of Exotic Waves. Phase is a key concept in all aspects of physics from biological microscopy through to length measurement and on to industrial inspection. The University of Melbourne has developed a new class of phase measurement techniques that possesses unprecedented flexibility. The aim of this project is to build on the international leadership of the Australian team so as to fully explore and develop these techniques.