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
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 steering, nonlocality and foundations. This project aims at answering foundational questions that will help further our understanding of quantum mechanics---a scientific discipline with proven track record of technological output of great impact in modern society and a huge potential for future developments such as quantum computation and communication. There is a global trend towards interest in quantum foundations, and Australia is already a world leader in the closely related fields o ....Quantum steering, nonlocality and foundations. This project aims at answering foundational questions that will help further our understanding of quantum mechanics---a scientific discipline with proven track record of technological output of great impact in modern society and a huge potential for future developments such as quantum computation and communication. There is a global trend towards interest in quantum foundations, and Australia is already a world leader in the closely related fields of quantum information and quantum-atom optics. Funding of this project will help strengthen and consolidate Australia's position as a world leader in the foundations of quantum mechanics.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
Optically-driven micromachines and microtools. The use of optical forces to trap and manipulate microscopic particles has developed from a novelty into a widely used versatile research tool - optical tweezers. New advances, such as the application and optical measurement of optical torque, have been brought to the brink of practical application. We will apply these methods to the development and production of micromachines of unprecedently small size, and the development of new medical diagnosti ....Optically-driven micromachines and microtools. The use of optical forces to trap and manipulate microscopic particles has developed from a novelty into a widely used versatile research tool - optical tweezers. New advances, such as the application and optical measurement of optical torque, have been brought to the brink of practical application. We will apply these methods to the development and production of micromachines of unprecedently small size, and the development of new medical diagnostic techniques, and industrial and research tools.Read moreRead less
Quantum Atom Optics and Single Atom Detection with Micro-Bose-Einstein Condensates. A Bose Einstein condensate (BEC) is a collection of atoms, all in the same quantum state, like the photons in a laser. It is now possible to create a micro-BEC and move it around on an 'atom chip'. We propose an experimental and theoretical study of its properties including those quantum statistical effects which will limit future ultra-sensitive measurement technologies such as quantum electromechanical transdu ....Quantum Atom Optics and Single Atom Detection with Micro-Bose-Einstein Condensates. A Bose Einstein condensate (BEC) is a collection of atoms, all in the same quantum state, like the photons in a laser. It is now possible to create a micro-BEC and move it around on an 'atom chip'. We propose an experimental and theoretical study of its properties including those quantum statistical effects which will limit future ultra-sensitive measurement technologies such as quantum electromechanical transducers. We will develop methods to count small numbers of ultra-cold atoms, engineer their state and build a prototype device.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
Neural mechanisms of vestibular perception in zebrafish. This project aims to understand vestibular processing by removing physical movement. The vestibular system allows us to perceive gravity and movement, but it is not understood how the brain processes information from vestibular sensors in the inner ear. This project will exert forces on the zebrafish’s inner ear with a laser, stimulating the vestibular sense. This means that the animal will experience vestibular stimuli while stationary, a ....Neural mechanisms of vestibular perception in zebrafish. This project aims to understand vestibular processing by removing physical movement. The vestibular system allows us to perceive gravity and movement, but it is not understood how the brain processes information from vestibular sensors in the inner ear. This project will exert forces on the zebrafish’s inner ear with a laser, stimulating the vestibular sense. This means that the animal will experience vestibular stimuli while stationary, allowing calcium imaging of neurons that respond to vestibular cues and optogenetics to stimulate or silence these neurons. This is expected to reveal which cells and circuits mediate vestibular perception, processing and behaviour.Read moreRead less
Spin vortex dynamics in a ferromagnetic superfluid. Magnetic spin vortices are stable whirlpool-like objects that can spontaneously form when magnetic materials are rapidly cooled. This project aims to understand and manipulate spin vortices in a magnetic quantum fluid, one of the cleanest and most controllable magnetic systems. The significance is that spin vortices are potentially fundamental elements of future electronic technologies for advanced storage and logic. The expected outcomes are ....Spin vortex dynamics in a ferromagnetic superfluid. Magnetic spin vortices are stable whirlpool-like objects that can spontaneously form when magnetic materials are rapidly cooled. This project aims to understand and manipulate spin vortices in a magnetic quantum fluid, one of the cleanest and most controllable magnetic systems. The significance is that spin vortices are potentially fundamental elements of future electronic technologies for advanced storage and logic. The expected outcomes are the ability to create spin vortices on demand, and the characterisation of their suitability for future applications. The benefit is an improved fundamental knowledge of spin vortices, and laying the groundwork for the use of magnetic structures in future spin-based electronics.Read moreRead less
Quantum nonlocality tests with ultracold atoms. As a fundamental test of quantum mechanics, we will measure for the first time "spooky action-at-a-distance" for macroscopically large groups of atoms. As well as establishing limits to the size of new quantum devices such as gravitational sensors, we will provide insights into the unification of quantum theory with gravity.