Enhancing gravitational wave detector sensitivity and bandwidth for astronomy. This project aims to create small optomechanical devices that amplify the signals in gravitational wave detectors, increasing their sensitivity, especially for higher frequency signals. Calibrated against the 2015 first detection of gravitational waves from black hole mergers, this technology could allow humanity to listen to black holes merging up to 30 times every day, while giving much greater sensitivity to signal ....Enhancing gravitational wave detector sensitivity and bandwidth for astronomy. This project aims to create small optomechanical devices that amplify the signals in gravitational wave detectors, increasing their sensitivity, especially for higher frequency signals. Calibrated against the 2015 first detection of gravitational waves from black hole mergers, this technology could allow humanity to listen to black holes merging up to 30 times every day, while giving much greater sensitivity to signals from smaller black holes and neutron stars. The new technology, which uses nano-scale suspended tiny mirrors controlled by laser light, is likely to have applications in making sensors and quantum devices for advanced instrumentation, improve mineral exploration and measure tiny electromagnetic signals.Read moreRead less
Advanced Quantum Sensors for Next-Generation Sensing Applications. The aim of this theoretical physics project is to develop ultra-precise sensing capabilities for two main applications: ultrastable inertial sensors for improved navigation and gravimetry, and to search for signatures of quantum gravity. This project expects to improve the performance of quantum sensors via the use of machine optimisation, and may lead to much-needed experimental data to help guide one of the most challenging pro ....Advanced Quantum Sensors for Next-Generation Sensing Applications. The aim of this theoretical physics project is to develop ultra-precise sensing capabilities for two main applications: ultrastable inertial sensors for improved navigation and gravimetry, and to search for signatures of quantum gravity. This project expects to improve the performance of quantum sensors via the use of machine optimisation, and may lead to much-needed experimental data to help guide one of the most challenging problems in theoretical physics: the quantisation of gravity. The expected outcomes of this project are enhanced quantum sensor design, leading to improved inertial sensing technology. This should provide benefits such as improved capabilities for minerals exploration and monitoring the movement of ground water.Read moreRead less
Optical frequency conversion in nonlinear dielectric metasurfaces. This project aims to investigate the mixing of light colours in semiconductor nanocrystals arranged in an ultra-thin transparent film, called a nonlinear metasurface. Understanding of the resonant nonlinear interactions in such metasurfaces will allow for the up and down frequency conversion of light beams and images with efficiencies well beyond current capabilities. The outcomes of the project will form the basis for novel cost ....Optical frequency conversion in nonlinear dielectric metasurfaces. This project aims to investigate the mixing of light colours in semiconductor nanocrystals arranged in an ultra-thin transparent film, called a nonlinear metasurface. Understanding of the resonant nonlinear interactions in such metasurfaces will allow for the up and down frequency conversion of light beams and images with efficiencies well beyond current capabilities. The outcomes of the project will form the basis for novel cost-effective and compact devices for infrared imaging, and will also enable ultra-fast sources of quantum light with tailored spatial and spectral correlations. These will benefit important applications in defence and security, including night vision, security holograms, quantum cryptography and communications.Read moreRead less
Synthetic multi-dimensional integrated photonics. This project aims to develop and realise experimentally integrated circuits where light propagation mimics dynamics in arbitrarily complex imaginary photonic lattices. The project puts forward a universal and mass-fabrication compatible design concept of planar optical structures featuring unconventional synthetic multi-dimensional properties, which can also be reconfigured in real time. This underpins expected outcomes in optical detection with ....Synthetic multi-dimensional integrated photonics. This project aims to develop and realise experimentally integrated circuits where light propagation mimics dynamics in arbitrarily complex imaginary photonic lattices. The project puts forward a universal and mass-fabrication compatible design concept of planar optical structures featuring unconventional synthetic multi-dimensional properties, which can also be reconfigured in real time. This underpins expected outcomes in optical detection with fundamentally enhanced sensitivity and optical signal switching with ultra-low threshold. The benefits of such breakthrough improvements can have broad applications spanning from future optical communication networks to optical sensors for monitoring and health applications.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210100679
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$436,775.00
Summary
Disruptive nanotechnology to control light. The project aims to develop approaches to control propagation of light in nonreciprocal ways, similar to ways we control directions of electric currents with semiconductor diodes and transistors. Nonreciprocal behaviour of light is difficult to achieve, and it is currently limited to relatively large optical systems, which represents a road block for further miniaturisation and integration of optical devices. Expected outcomes of this project include f ....Disruptive nanotechnology to control light. The project aims to develop approaches to control propagation of light in nonreciprocal ways, similar to ways we control directions of electric currents with semiconductor diodes and transistors. Nonreciprocal behaviour of light is difficult to achieve, and it is currently limited to relatively large optical systems, which represents a road block for further miniaturisation and integration of optical devices. Expected outcomes of this project include first demonstrations of a radical miniaturisation of nonreciprocal optical components to the nanoscale. The outcomes should enrich our fundamental knowledge and assist the advancement of vital technologies such as integrated optical circuitry and communication infrastructure.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220101548
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,000.00
Summary
Calming the Superfluid Storm: Taming Turbulence in Superfluid Devices. Turbulence, the chaotic flow of fluids, occurs in the vast majority of fluid flows in nature. This project aims to develop a new understanding of turbulence in superfluids, a class of quantum fluids which can flow without friction. The significance is that aspects of turbulence are universal, so that discoveries in superfluid turbulence will provide fundamental insights into all forms of turbulence. The expected outcomes are ....Calming the Superfluid Storm: Taming Turbulence in Superfluid Devices. Turbulence, the chaotic flow of fluids, occurs in the vast majority of fluid flows in nature. This project aims to develop a new understanding of turbulence in superfluids, a class of quantum fluids which can flow without friction. The significance is that aspects of turbulence are universal, so that discoveries in superfluid turbulence will provide fundamental insights into all forms of turbulence. The expected outcomes are solutions to two outstanding questions – what are the universal laws of turbulent flow for superfluids, and what new forms of quantum vortex matter are possible? New insights into turbulence will benefit all applications which rely on its understanding, for example in medicine, aviation, and climate modelling.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210100848
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$437,299.00
Summary
Quantum control of sound with light. This project aims to build the first photonic architecture capable of controlling the quantum properties of acoustic waves travelling in crystalline materials and quantum fluids. This level of control is expected to herald new capabilities in sensing applications, quantum information and quantum computing. The project seeks to develop a silicon-based photonic platform that enables the preparation of non-classical states of sound within superfluid helium. This ....Quantum control of sound with light. This project aims to build the first photonic architecture capable of controlling the quantum properties of acoustic waves travelling in crystalline materials and quantum fluids. This level of control is expected to herald new capabilities in sensing applications, quantum information and quantum computing. The project seeks to develop a silicon-based photonic platform that enables the preparation of non-classical states of sound within superfluid helium. This new platform will also be used to develop an ultra-compact silicon-chip based laser. The project outcomes should provide a deeper understanding of quantum fluids and quantum mechanics, and enable the realisation of new quantum technologies with substantial commercialisation potential.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100318
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$368,554.00
Summary
Superfluid optomechanics with quantised vortices. This project aims to develop new technologies to probe and control the flow of superfluid helium at size-scales never before possible. Superfluid helium is the only quantum liquid, characterised by flow without dissipation and quantised vortices. Leveraging the techniques of cavity optomechanics, this project aims to demonstrate control of superfluid helium properties at the quantum level, including the first demonstration of laser-cooling of a l ....Superfluid optomechanics with quantised vortices. This project aims to develop new technologies to probe and control the flow of superfluid helium at size-scales never before possible. Superfluid helium is the only quantum liquid, characterised by flow without dissipation and quantised vortices. Leveraging the techniques of cavity optomechanics, this project aims to demonstrate control of superfluid helium properties at the quantum level, including the first demonstration of laser-cooling of a liquid into its quantum ground-state. The devices developed in this project will also serve as probes of unprecedented sensitivity for the study of 2D superfluid helium. The new technologies developed will have potential for broad uptake in the scientific community and generation of intellectual property and patents for quantum technology and inertial sensors.Read moreRead less
Controlling spin coherence with rotation. This project aims to harness the ability to control the fundamental interactions which limit the precision of a diamond quantum sensor, enabling more sensitive magnetometry. Quantum sensors are unveiling new insights into nano-scale phenomena. Single atom defects in diamonds have been at the forefront of this revolution in nano-scale sensor technology. A unique capability, spinning diamond quantum sensors at up to 500,000 rpm, fast enough that quantum pr ....Controlling spin coherence with rotation. This project aims to harness the ability to control the fundamental interactions which limit the precision of a diamond quantum sensor, enabling more sensitive magnetometry. Quantum sensors are unveiling new insights into nano-scale phenomena. Single atom defects in diamonds have been at the forefront of this revolution in nano-scale sensor technology. A unique capability, spinning diamond quantum sensors at up to 500,000 rpm, fast enough that quantum properties of the defects are preserved during a cycle has been established. This project will address the long-standing problem of nano-scale solid-materials characterisation using rotationally-enhanced quantum magnetic resonance spectroscopy.Read moreRead less
Single spin molecular microscope. This project aims to create a new tool for imaging and analysing material at the atomic level. The tool is based on individual quantum coherent spins in diamond which can be manipulated and optically read. The project expects to generate knowledge in quantum metrology and an understanding of molecular dynamics at the nanoscale. The expected outcome is a new type of device capable of imaging complex physical systems at the level of their individual constituent co ....Single spin molecular microscope. This project aims to create a new tool for imaging and analysing material at the atomic level. The tool is based on individual quantum coherent spins in diamond which can be manipulated and optically read. The project expects to generate knowledge in quantum metrology and an understanding of molecular dynamics at the nanoscale. The expected outcome is a new type of device capable of imaging complex physical systems at the level of their individual constituent components. This has significant benefits in improving designer materials, energy production, information storage, and drug design.Read moreRead less