Low threshold photonic crystal microlasers. The aims of this project are to develop detailed finite-difference time-domain numerical models of active photonic crystal structures, and to use them to optimise the design and performance of photonic-crystal-based devices, especially micro-cavity lasers. Photonic crystal microlasers have the potential to provide very efficient and low noise laser sources in micron-sized cavities, however the simplistic structures used to realise these lasers to date ....Low threshold photonic crystal microlasers. The aims of this project are to develop detailed finite-difference time-domain numerical models of active photonic crystal structures, and to use them to optimise the design and performance of photonic-crystal-based devices, especially micro-cavity lasers. Photonic crystal microlasers have the potential to provide very efficient and low noise laser sources in micron-sized cavities, however the simplistic structures used to realise these lasers to date provide sub-optimal performance. Innovative designs with improved performance will be developed by tailoring both the optical and thermal properties of planar photonic crystal stuctures. Devices designed during this project will subsequently be fabricated at facilities in France.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354721
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Frontier and Security Technologies Microfabrication Network. This Initiative will conduct a comprehensive survey of Australia's resources in micro-fabrication, a key enabling technology for two national research priority areas, and generate new collaboration opportunities that capitalise on this resource base and open it to a wider range of applications. The Initiative will focus on photonics, nano-materials and security applications, and will identify gaps in micro-fabrication capabilities requ ....Frontier and Security Technologies Microfabrication Network. This Initiative will conduct a comprehensive survey of Australia's resources in micro-fabrication, a key enabling technology for two national research priority areas, and generate new collaboration opportunities that capitalise on this resource base and open it to a wider range of applications. The Initiative will focus on photonics, nano-materials and security applications, and will identify gaps in micro-fabrication capabilities required to support research in these areas. The outcomes will be a key element in a national strategic plan for these areas of national priority. The web site will demonstrate key features of the IT-based support features of a micro-fabrication network.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100048
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$340,000.00
Summary
Nanoscale optical microscopy facility. The optical microscope has enabled us to see micro-objects, leading to revolutionary discoveries in medicine and natural sciences. However, the smallest object resolved by a microscope is limited by the wavelength of light. To see nanoscale objects smaller than the wavelength, a new tool for nano-imaging is needed. This project will establish a nanoscale optical microscopy facility that will reveal the topology and true colours of the nano-objects. Such inf ....Nanoscale optical microscopy facility. The optical microscope has enabled us to see micro-objects, leading to revolutionary discoveries in medicine and natural sciences. However, the smallest object resolved by a microscope is limited by the wavelength of light. To see nanoscale objects smaller than the wavelength, a new tool for nano-imaging is needed. This project will establish a nanoscale optical microscopy facility that will reveal the topology and true colours of the nano-objects. Such information, achieved through spectroscopic analysis of the light emitted or scattered at the nanoscale, will uncover some of the most fundamental aspects of the nanoworld, leading to cutting-edge scientific discoveries and important industrial applications in photonics and solar energy.Read moreRead less
Preparation and analysis of amorphous GaN thin films. Researchers in New Zealand have developed novel processing techniques to prepare amorphous and partially crystalline gallium nitride thin films with potential application as green-blue-UV opto-electronic devices. However, characterization of the film structure using electron microscopy is essential to understand the relationship between processing conditions and opto-electronic properties. The aim of this project is to draw together specialis ....Preparation and analysis of amorphous GaN thin films. Researchers in New Zealand have developed novel processing techniques to prepare amorphous and partially crystalline gallium nitride thin films with potential application as green-blue-UV opto-electronic devices. However, characterization of the film structure using electron microscopy is essential to understand the relationship between processing conditions and opto-electronic properties. The aim of this project is to draw together specialist expertise and equipment that allows integration of microscopy into the development of these films. Australian researchers will gain access to specialized preparation and testing facilities in New Zealand, whilst researchers from New Zealand will perform structural analysis of these films in Australia.Read moreRead less
Silicon All-Optical Nanophotonic Devices for 160Gb/s Systems. With the exponential growth in global bandwidth demand, the speed, cost, size, and energy requirements of telecommunications equipment are reaching a crisis point. This project will pioneer ultra-high speed silicon integrated all-optical signal processing devices that will provide faster, cheaper and more energy efficient solutions than current electronic based approaches. In doing so, this will also directly benefit the Australian ph ....Silicon All-Optical Nanophotonic Devices for 160Gb/s Systems. With the exponential growth in global bandwidth demand, the speed, cost, size, and energy requirements of telecommunications equipment are reaching a crisis point. This project will pioneer ultra-high speed silicon integrated all-optical signal processing devices that will provide faster, cheaper and more energy efficient solutions than current electronic based approaches. In doing so, this will also directly benefit the Australian photonics, telecommunications, and defence industries. It will use novel structures such as nanowire waveguides and micro-ring resonators to demonstrate all-optical signal regeneration, wavelength conversion, demultiplexing and other functions at speeds up to 160Gb/s.Read moreRead less
Highly nonlinear all-optical switches using chalcogenide photonic crystal. Business productivity and economic prosperity are increasingly correlated with the speed of a country's Internet connections and computer infrastructure. Australia will benefit from dramatic improvements to communications technology arising from this research, through access to improved services and through the creation of enterprises formed to commercialise our novel technology. The benefits from the eventual development ....Highly nonlinear all-optical switches using chalcogenide photonic crystal. Business productivity and economic prosperity are increasingly correlated with the speed of a country's Internet connections and computer infrastructure. Australia will benefit from dramatic improvements to communications technology arising from this research, through access to improved services and through the creation of enterprises formed to commercialise our novel technology. The benefits from the eventual development of ultrahigh speed networks include better rural and regional connectivity, improved business productivity and the emergence of new high-bandwidth services, such as telemedicine and flexible learning.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775729
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,000.00
Summary
Improved understanding of nanoscale materials - structure, composition, crystallography and defects revealed by electron imaging and analysis at high spatial resolution. Modern materials scientists and engineers are driven by world-wide competition to develop new technology and manufactured devices. The trend has for some time been towards miniaturisation and one of the main challenges lies in effectively characterising nanostructures that are produced as a key step in research and development o ....Improved understanding of nanoscale materials - structure, composition, crystallography and defects revealed by electron imaging and analysis at high spatial resolution. Modern materials scientists and engineers are driven by world-wide competition to develop new technology and manufactured devices. The trend has for some time been towards miniaturisation and one of the main challenges lies in effectively characterising nanostructures that are produced as a key step in research and development of advanced materials. The proposed electron microscope and detectors will provide a state-of-the-art analytical facility to support the cross-disciplinary materials science and nanotechnology research at the Australian National University. It will also provide an important training facility for students and early-career researchers and will be available to investigators from other Australian institutions.Read moreRead less
MEMS Based Chip-to-Chip Optical Interconnect for Future Generation of Systems In a Package. The project will bring Australian technical known-how into the forefront of the information and communication technology revolution. The technology developed in this project will enable computers to operate at very high speeds. More information can be communicated than ever before. This has significant impact on Australian society where speed of information is increasingly important. The technical knowl ....MEMS Based Chip-to-Chip Optical Interconnect for Future Generation of Systems In a Package. The project will bring Australian technical known-how into the forefront of the information and communication technology revolution. The technology developed in this project will enable computers to operate at very high speeds. More information can be communicated than ever before. This has significant impact on Australian society where speed of information is increasingly important. The technical knowledge of how to make computers operate faster has great commercial value and would be very much sought after. Hence, its impact on the national economy. Read moreRead less
Towards Photonic and Electronic Devices for High Indium Content Nitride Semiconductors. Nitride semiconductors are widely used in mobile phone and lighting applications. The Low Temperature Nitride Semiconductor Group at Macquarie University have specialized in improving the quality of these materials using growth techniques that will allow gallium nitride to become commercially viable for room lighting. In collaboration with researchers in Europe we intend to develop and exploit the next genera ....Towards Photonic and Electronic Devices for High Indium Content Nitride Semiconductors. Nitride semiconductors are widely used in mobile phone and lighting applications. The Low Temperature Nitride Semiconductor Group at Macquarie University have specialized in improving the quality of these materials using growth techniques that will allow gallium nitride to become commercially viable for room lighting. In collaboration with researchers in Europe we intend to develop and exploit the next generation of nitride materials for high-speed mobile communications and photonic applications. The team assembled for this project have excellent credentials in the development of these materials and, importantly, an excellent ability to probe and understand material phenomena.Read moreRead less
Self-organised complex ionised gas systems for ordered nanometre-scale assemblies. This proposal is to develop the physical principles of nano-scale assembly processes in complex plasmas. Novel approaches for tailoring the plasma-grown building blocks and controllable deposition of ordered nanoparticle arrays on nanopatterned solids are targeted. The fundamentals of the multi-scale dynamic processes will be elucidated and existing techniques for developing new materials and electronic/photonic d ....Self-organised complex ionised gas systems for ordered nanometre-scale assemblies. This proposal is to develop the physical principles of nano-scale assembly processes in complex plasmas. Novel approaches for tailoring the plasma-grown building blocks and controllable deposition of ordered nanoparticle arrays on nanopatterned solids are targeted. The fundamentals of the multi-scale dynamic processes will be elucidated and existing techniques for developing new materials and electronic/photonic devices will be advanced. The expected outcomes are highly relevant for the nano-materials and optoelectronic technologies, rapidly emerging areas of high-tech industries worldwide.Read moreRead less