Terahertz lasers in the fight against illicit substances. This project aims to investigate the application of cutting-edge terahertz laser technology with new spectroscopic methods, for detection of illicit substances. Using a collaborative approach, the project aims to bring together expertise in laser physics, spectroscopy, law enforcement and instrumentation, and seeks to develop new sources and detection protocols which will offer new capabilities to law enforcement, aiding in detection and ....Terahertz lasers in the fight against illicit substances. This project aims to investigate the application of cutting-edge terahertz laser technology with new spectroscopic methods, for detection of illicit substances. Using a collaborative approach, the project aims to bring together expertise in laser physics, spectroscopy, law enforcement and instrumentation, and seeks to develop new sources and detection protocols which will offer new capabilities to law enforcement, aiding in detection and identification protocols for illicit substances.Read moreRead less
Transformational diagnostics. Australia has established world-leading capabilities in optical fibres and surface science that, when brought together, have the potential to transform applications that require non-invasive, real-time and/or portable biological detection tools. We propose a novel and ambitious suite of projects that bring together these capabilities with experts in reproductive health, forensics and explosives to solve pressing problems in each of these areas that have the promise ....Transformational diagnostics. Australia has established world-leading capabilities in optical fibres and surface science that, when brought together, have the potential to transform applications that require non-invasive, real-time and/or portable biological detection tools. We propose a novel and ambitious suite of projects that bring together these capabilities with experts in reproductive health, forensics and explosives to solve pressing problems in each of these areas that have the promise to develop into new industries for Australia as well as to explore rich science opportunities at the boundaries of these disciplines.Read moreRead less
Early-Stage Medical Diagnostics by Plasmon-Mediated Gas Sensing. This project will investigate the use plasmonic absorption of light in metal nanostructures to activate the selective oxidation/reduction of a gas molecule on a semiconductor nanoparticle. This concept will be used with the aim of developing a sensing technique capable of measuring ultra-low concentrations (ppb) of breath markers for lung cancer detection. It is expected that porous sensing films of semiconductor and metal nanopart ....Early-Stage Medical Diagnostics by Plasmon-Mediated Gas Sensing. This project will investigate the use plasmonic absorption of light in metal nanostructures to activate the selective oxidation/reduction of a gas molecule on a semiconductor nanoparticle. This concept will be used with the aim of developing a sensing technique capable of measuring ultra-low concentrations (ppb) of breath markers for lung cancer detection. It is expected that porous sensing films of semiconductor and metal nanoparticles with well-defined light absorption properties will be fabricated. Superior selectivity will be achieved by matching the wavelength of the absorbed light with the required activation energy for oxidation/reduction. Successful outcomes will enable multi-analyte fingerprint identification by on-chip devices with applications ranging from portable medical diagnostics to national security.Read moreRead less
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
Putting stimulated Brillouin scattering to work: tailored optical-phononic interactions for on-chip signal processing. Light interacts with sound via a phenomenon called Brillouin scattering, an effect which is of major importance in modern nonlinear optics but is very difficult to control. Our pioneering project will open the door to low power optical devices and other diverse innovations that will support Australia's needs in defence and communications.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100104
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,000.00
Summary
Capability for the fabrication and characterisation of mid-infrared photonic materials. The proposed facility will support the development of new glass materials suitable for transmitting and generating light in the mid-infrared spectral region. This research will allow Australia to lead the world in developing new technologies that make use of the mid-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Particular applications that will flow from this research include the development of new optical ....Capability for the fabrication and characterisation of mid-infrared photonic materials. The proposed facility will support the development of new glass materials suitable for transmitting and generating light in the mid-infrared spectral region. This research will allow Australia to lead the world in developing new technologies that make use of the mid-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Particular applications that will flow from this research include the development of new optical fibre-based laser sources for defence and surgery, new technologies for detecting and treating cancer, and other in-vivo detection methods.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
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100067
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
A femtosecond Mmd-IR optical parametric amplifier source for waveguide nonlinear optics. The mid-infrared is an immensely important region of the optical spectrum for sensing toxic or illicit molecules or pollutants using their spectral fingerprints. The equipment will facilitate the development of new techniques for sensing based on nonlinear processes in waveguides.
Functional nonlinear nanophotonics. This project will uncover novel ways of controlling ultra-short optical pulses through the special structuring of materials at the nanoscale. New functionalities based on enhanced nonlinear light-matter interactions will underpin advances in future optical communication networks and computing systems, laser radars and sensing applications.
A silicon-compatible light source on a silicon-on-insulator platform. Silicon is emerging as an important photonic material owing to the cheap processing methods developed for electronics. This project aims to capture key technology for integrating photonic components onto silicon. It can bring social and commercial benefits to Australia such as high-level research as well as opportunities for commercialisation.