Direct deep-ultraviolet tunable laser sources generating continuous and ultra-short-pulse radiation for photonics applications. This project will develop two versatile and efficient sources of tunable deep-ultraviolet laser radiation. These sources are an enabling photonics technology that will have impact in the applied fields of precision spectroscopy and flow cytometry for detection of biological agents. The proposed ultrafast laser source will enable new fundamental research probing high-ene ....Direct deep-ultraviolet tunable laser sources generating continuous and ultra-short-pulse radiation for photonics applications. This project will develop two versatile and efficient sources of tunable deep-ultraviolet laser radiation. These sources are an enabling photonics technology that will have impact in the applied fields of precision spectroscopy and flow cytometry for detection of biological agents. The proposed ultrafast laser source will enable new fundamental research probing high-energy processes, such as ultrafast chemical reactions, on the femtosecond timescale.
Training through an APD fellowship in the national priority area of Frontier technologies: photonics will enhance Australia's expertise in this important area. Read moreRead less
High-average-power all-solid-state lasers based on new crystalline Raman materials. We have recently made significant advances in development of all-solid-state intracavity Raman lasers generating multiwatt average powers in the near infrared and (by frequency doubling) visible spectrum, with important applications in biomedicine and remote sensing. A new generation of Raman crystals, especially tungstates, offer superior optical, mechanical and thermal properties, promising high Raman gains and ....High-average-power all-solid-state lasers based on new crystalline Raman materials. We have recently made significant advances in development of all-solid-state intracavity Raman lasers generating multiwatt average powers in the near infrared and (by frequency doubling) visible spectrum, with important applications in biomedicine and remote sensing. A new generation of Raman crystals, especially tungstates, offer superior optical, mechanical and thermal properties, promising high Raman gains and choice of Stokes frequency shift. The project will investigate a range of key issues for these materials including control of the Stokes wavelength, associated polarisation control, and pump-resonator configurations giving maximum Raman laser power and efficiency. The project will lead to state-of-the-art source technology with outstanding prospects for commercialisation and practical application.Read moreRead less
Active photonic and plasmonic components based on parity-time symmetry. This project intends to uncover and demonstrate experimentally the role of symmetry in space and time in nonlinear photonics and plasmonics, where light can change the optical properties of the medium. Based on these results, the project aims to build an integrated optical signal amplifier and an integrated generator of entangled photons with previously inaccessible ultra-fast broad-range control of operating regimes. These ....Active photonic and plasmonic components based on parity-time symmetry. This project intends to uncover and demonstrate experimentally the role of symmetry in space and time in nonlinear photonics and plasmonics, where light can change the optical properties of the medium. Based on these results, the project aims to build an integrated optical signal amplifier and an integrated generator of entangled photons with previously inaccessible ultra-fast broad-range control of operating regimes. These systems would have applications in future optical communication networks, ensuring fast, secure and energy efficient data transmission.Read moreRead less
Resources for Quantum Networks. In classical information theory communication is an important resource. In quantum information theory there are the additional resources of entanglement and quantum communication. The aim of this project is to establish a complete theory of resources for quantum networks, by determining the relation between these resources, their symmetry properties, and effective ways of calculating capacities. Critical issues, such as the networking of quantum computers, quan ....Resources for Quantum Networks. In classical information theory communication is an important resource. In quantum information theory there are the additional resources of entanglement and quantum communication. The aim of this project is to establish a complete theory of resources for quantum networks, by determining the relation between these resources, their symmetry properties, and effective ways of calculating capacities. Critical issues, such as the networking of quantum computers, quantum teleportation and secure communication, require a complete theory of resources. The expected outcome of this project is a rigorous foundation for resources in quantum information that may be used to address these issues.Read moreRead less
Compact Low-Cost Tunable UV Lasers for Biosensing Applications. Detection and characterisation of micro-organisms such as airborne biological agents, parasites in domestic water supplies and micro-organisms used in the food and beverage industry, is of national importance. All biological systems have rich absorption signatures in the UV enabling detection of biological specimens with high sensitivity and selectivity using optical methods. For these applications compact and inexpensive tunable U ....Compact Low-Cost Tunable UV Lasers for Biosensing Applications. Detection and characterisation of micro-organisms such as airborne biological agents, parasites in domestic water supplies and micro-organisms used in the food and beverage industry, is of national importance. All biological systems have rich absorption signatures in the UV enabling detection of biological specimens with high sensitivity and selectivity using optical methods. For these applications compact and inexpensive tunable UV lasers are required; however to date tunable UV lasers have been limited to bulky and expensive systems. We propose to engineer novel, low cost, compact, tunable UV cerium lasers and demonstrate their applicability to selective optical detection of micro-organisms.Read moreRead less
Entanglement as resource for quantum technology. This project focuses on groundbreaking research in quantum information theory, an exciting new area of fundamental physics that underpins the development of quantum technologies. Australia has already invested heavily in one particular quantum technology: computation. Our project, if successful, will enable an Australian research effort into other quantum technologies for communication, metrology, data storage and security. This project will as ....Entanglement as resource for quantum technology. This project focuses on groundbreaking research in quantum information theory, an exciting new area of fundamental physics that underpins the development of quantum technologies. Australia has already invested heavily in one particular quantum technology: computation. Our project, if successful, will enable an Australian research effort into other quantum technologies for communication, metrology, data storage and security. This project will assist in elevating Australia to a major international research centre in quantum information theory, complementing its existing strength in experiment, and will provide extensive training of early career researchers.Read moreRead less
Quantum-enhanced reference systems. Reference systems, such as gyroscopes and clocks, constructed out of individual atoms or photons can have an incredible precision limited only by the laws of quantum physics. This project will investigate how such reference systems can be constructed and will propose new state-of-the-art experiments which demonstrate their power. This project will provide a foundation for future technologies necessary for navigation and communication systems, and for high-prec ....Quantum-enhanced reference systems. Reference systems, such as gyroscopes and clocks, constructed out of individual atoms or photons can have an incredible precision limited only by the laws of quantum physics. This project will investigate how such reference systems can be constructed and will propose new state-of-the-art experiments which demonstrate their power. This project will provide a foundation for future technologies necessary for navigation and communication systems, and for high-precision measurements needed for scientific and engineering applications. It will resolve many pressing problems regarding the role of reference systems in quantum theory that are currently inhibiting progress in the field.Read moreRead less
Optical realisations of continuous-variable quantum information. The project aims to develop a framework for optical realisations of continuous-variable quantum information. Such realisations offer the potential for major technological advances in quantum information processing in the near future, but are currently impeded by the lack of a well-defined theoretical foundation. This project aims to construct such a foundation, including energy cutoffs, detector resolution, and finite resources. ....Optical realisations of continuous-variable quantum information. The project aims to develop a framework for optical realisations of continuous-variable quantum information. Such realisations offer the potential for major technological advances in quantum information processing in the near future, but are currently impeded by the lack of a well-defined theoretical foundation. This project aims to construct such a foundation, including energy cutoffs, detector resolution, and finite resources. Feasible experiments to test and exploit continuous-variable quantum information processing will be proposed. The resulting framework will allow the field to progress beyond proof-of-principle demonstrations and to develop new, technology-driven quantum information protocols.Read moreRead less
DRAGONFLY: A revolutionary instrument for astronomical imaging. The vast distances in the galaxy have motivated the long-held dream of astronomers to build telescopes with enough magnification to zoom in on the intimate lives of stars. With a bold new approach, the Dragonfly instrument will make a major step in performance beyond existing technology, delivering images with an unmatched combination of high fidelity and resolution. A number of crucial questions await such a breakthrough in capab ....DRAGONFLY: A revolutionary instrument for astronomical imaging. The vast distances in the galaxy have motivated the long-held dream of astronomers to build telescopes with enough magnification to zoom in on the intimate lives of stars. With a bold new approach, the Dragonfly instrument will make a major step in performance beyond existing technology, delivering images with an unmatched combination of high fidelity and resolution. A number of crucial questions await such a breakthrough in capability. How do stars form? What happens as they die? Are planetary systems common? Demonstrated success with this instrument will place it at the forefront of astronomical imaging worldwide, providing a vital element in the case for justifying the next generation of large telescopes.Read moreRead less
Controlling quantum technologies. Australia is a leader in quantum technology - from molecular machines to quantum computers, amazing advances are being made possible as we harness the laws of quantum physics. Our project will enhance the nation's profile in this discipline by developing some of the ground rules for measuring and controlling the operation of quantum devices. This foundational work will put Australian theoretical and experimental researchers at the forefront of this new field, an ....Controlling quantum technologies. Australia is a leader in quantum technology - from molecular machines to quantum computers, amazing advances are being made possible as we harness the laws of quantum physics. Our project will enhance the nation's profile in this discipline by developing some of the ground rules for measuring and controlling the operation of quantum devices. This foundational work will put Australian theoretical and experimental researchers at the forefront of this new field, and there is significant opportunity for development of intellectual property such as patents. Young researchers and postgraduate students will play a substantial role in the project, maximising the training impact for new professionals in cutting-edge science and high technology.Read moreRead less