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Available Honours Projects

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The following research topics are available to students

Research Fields

  • Astrophysics
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics
  • Biophysics
  • Clean Energy
  • Engineering in Physics
  • Environmental Physics
  • Fusion and Plasma Confinement
  • Materials Science and Engineering
  • Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
  • Photonics, Lasers and Nonlinear Optics
  • Physics of Fluids
  • Physics of the Nucleus
  • Plasma Applications and Technology
  • Quantum Devices and Technology
  • Quantum Science and Applications
  • Theoretical Physics
  • Topological and Structural Science
  • Astrophysics

    Supervisor: Dr FP Mills
    Design, implement, and test an automated scheme for coupling multiple instances of an existing one-dimensional model. For example, one instance of the model may simulate the average day side chemistry while another simulates the average night side chemistry. The coupling scheme would then simulate the transport of chemical species between the two hemispheres.
    Supervisor: Dr MJ Hole , Professor I Cairns
    To infer properties of pulsar plasmas from polarization-resolved pulsar data
    Supervisor: Dr FP Mills
    Review archived very high resolution spectra (R ~ 200,000+) of Venus for evidence of molecular oxygen absorption features and determine instrument performance for requesting future dedicated observing time.
    Supervisor: Dr FP Mills
    Calculate the diurnal (day to night) variation of ozone in Venus' atmosphere using a one-dimensional version of the Caltech/Jet Propulsion Laboratory photochemical model. Compare results with relevant observations from the European Space Agency's Venus Express spacecraft.

    Atomic and Molecular Physics

    Supervisor: Dr FP Mills
    Design, implement, and test an automated scheme for coupling multiple instances of an existing one-dimensional model. For example, one instance of the model may simulate the average day side chemistry while another simulates the average night side chemistry. The coupling scheme would then simulate the transport of chemical species between the two hemispheres.
    This project will investigation the critical and rate controlling step in all chemical reactions, the formation of a transition state that links reactants and products of a chemical reaction.
    This experimental project will investigate the interactions of positrons with a variety of molecules of biological relevance.
    Supervisor: Dr JP Sullivan
    This experimental project will use a new type of electron scattering experiment to measure cross sections of interest to plasma modelling.
    This experimental project will take advantage of a high energy resolution positron beam to measure positron interactions with targets of fundamental interest.
    Supervisor: Dr AG Truscott
    A He* condensate will be used to test some of the fundamental tenants of quantum mechanics
    Supervisor: Dr M Vos
    Recent theory predicts intricate line shapes of the spectra of keV electrons scattered from molecules over large angles. Can we establish if these predictions are correct? Similar momentum transfer collisions are studied in neutron scattering experiments using neutrons with energies of several eV. The theory developed here appears different, but are they deep down the same? These are the basic questions we aim to answer.
    A systematic experimental and theoretical study of the photodetachment angular anisotropy parameters for a series of negative ions will be undertaken to elucidate the nature of nondipole and relativistic effects in photodetachment. This investigation will use our world-leading state-of-the-art velocity-map imaging photodetachment spectrometer to provide complete spectra, uniquely providing high-energy-resolution cross sections with full angular detail and the key dependence on photodetachment energy.
    Supervisor: Dr FP Mills
    Review archived very high resolution spectra (R ~ 200,000+) of Venus for evidence of molecular oxygen absorption features and determine instrument performance for requesting future dedicated observing time.
    Using methods of quantum many-body theory to describe elementary processes in atoms and molecules interacting with strong electromagnetic fields.
    Supervisor: Dr M Vos
    What information is contained in the spectra and angular distributions of electrons scattered at high energies from surfaces? Now such measurements are possible with sub-eV resolution, we are discovering a wide range of phenomena buried in these spectra. Can we understand them, and can we develop such experiments into a novel analytical technique? This is the challenge of this research.
    Supervisor: Dr FP Mills
    Calculate the diurnal (day to night) variation of ozone in Venus' atmosphere using a one-dimensional version of the Caltech/Jet Propulsion Laboratory photochemical model. Compare results with relevant observations from the European Space Agency's Venus Express spacecraft.
    This project will characterize various sulphur oxide compounds, in particular SO3, and the number of clustered water molecules and their arrangement required for their reaction to sulfuric acid, H2SO4, under gas phase conditions.
    Velocity-map imaging of charged particles has become a leading technique for the study of atoms and molecules, especially when using laser radiation. This project will allow the student to study highly reactive short-lived radials in the gas-phase with instrumentation that is considered to be the worlds best.
    Electron beams will be used to study excitation of atoms and molecules at low energies
    The student will investigate ways to control the rate and nature of molecular breakup

    Biophysics

    This experimental project will investigate the interactions of positrons with a variety of molecules of biological relevance.
    Supervisor: Dr AP Sheppard
    Apply 3D shape characterisation tools developed at ANU to help describe plants grown at the High Resolution Plant Phenomics Facility in CSIRO Plant Industry.

    Clean Energy

    Supervisor: Dr SSR Mokkapati , Dr KR Catchpole
    This project will investigate the optimal periodic structures for trapping light inside the thin active regions of a solar cell.
    Supervisor: Dr AP Sheppard
    Implement GPU-based code for simulating fluid flow in porous media, and evaluate its effectiveness
    Supervisor: Dr MJ Hole , Dr J Larson
    The student will develop numerical algorithms to automate and perform MHD stability analysis of ITER and conceptual fusion power plant configurations.
    Supervisor: Dr SSR Mokkapati , Dr KR Catchpole
    This project will investigate the optimal photonic crystal structures (1D, 2D and 3D) for trapping light inside the thin active regions of a solar cell.
    Supervisor: Dr BD Blackwell
    Using a small electron beam, trace the magnetic field lines in H-1, to investigate changes in magnetic geometry, transition to chaos.
    The project will investigate the photovoltaic properties of III-V semiconductor materials with the incorporation of quantum wells and dots for enhanced efficiencies
    Supervisor: Dr BD Blackwell
    Apply machine learning techniques to assessment of the data quality in plasma fusion experiments, such as the H-1 Heliac.
    The project will investigate the photovoltaic properties of semiconductor nanowires and the fabrication of nanowire solar cells
    Supervisor: Dr BD Blackwell
    Datamining techniques extract information from H-1 essential to understanding instabilities that threaten the viability of fusion as the ultimate clean energy source.

    Engineering in Physics

    By using fast digitising electronics and developing a mathematical model, the student is to design a BPM-based system to reconstruct the charge density distribution, diameter and position of an accelerated ion beam.
    Using a Labview interface card and software, the student is to develop and commission a PC-based control system for superconducting resonator loop controller.
    Using microwave design tools, the student is to develop dual layer tunable micro-strip phase detector incorporating electromagnetic coupling aperture and micro-strip feed for electromagnetically coupling out.
    The project is aiming to develop a highly sensitive magnetic pair spectrometer to measure the weak decay branches from the Hoyle state. This state is formed in the triple-alpha reaction in stars and is responsible for the carbon production in the Universe.
    Supervisor: Dr N Lobanov
    Using a reliability-centred maintenance approach, the student is to develop a cost-effective maintenance strategy to address the dominant causes of accelerator equipment failure.
    Supervisor: Dr N Lobanov
    Using the computer codes SIMION and MULE, the student is to undertake a numerical simulation of accelerator components in order to improve transmission of beam through the machine.

    Environmental Physics

    Supervisor: Dr FP Mills
    Design, implement, and test an automated scheme for coupling multiple instances of an existing one-dimensional model. For example, one instance of the model may simulate the average day side chemistry while another simulates the average night side chemistry. The coupling scheme would then simulate the transport of chemical species between the two hemispheres.
    Supervisor: Dr JE Bradby
    This work examines the mechanical properties of the shells of a range of marine creatures in an effort to understand how increasing ocean acidification influences their mechanical properties.
    Supervisor: Dr FP Mills
    Review archived very high resolution spectra (R ~ 200,000+) of Venus for evidence of molecular oxygen absorption features and determine instrument performance for requesting future dedicated observing time.
    Supervisor: Dr FP Mills
    Analyse and interpret remote sensing measurements of aerosol optical properties made by ground-based instruments at selected sites around Australia. Devise statistical descriptions of the impact of aerosols on surface ultraviolet radiation at these sites with the assistance of radiative transfer model calculations.
    Supervisor: Dr AP Sheppard
    Apply 3D shape characterisation tools developed at ANU to help describe plants grown at the High Resolution Plant Phenomics Facility in CSIRO Plant Industry.
    Supervisor: Dr FP Mills
    Calculate the diurnal (day to night) variation of ozone in Venus' atmosphere using a one-dimensional version of the Caltech/Jet Propulsion Laboratory photochemical model. Compare results with relevant observations from the European Space Agency's Venus Express spacecraft.
    This project will characterize various sulphur oxide compounds, in particular SO3, and the number of clustered water molecules and their arrangement required for their reaction to sulfuric acid, H2SO4, under gas phase conditions.
    Supervisor: Professor M Shats
    Experiments with rotating fluids aim at better understanding of fundamental processes which determine the dynamics of planetary atmospheres and oceans. The presence of the Coriolis force leads to quasi-two-dimensional behaviour of the 3D flows making such a flow similar to magnetized plasma.

    Fusion and Plasma Confinement

    The student will extend a recently developed variational principle for finding relaxed equilibrium states of a plasma to the calculation of tearing modes
    Supervisor: Professor J Howard
    You will devlop and apply novel interferometric techniques to image the evolution of the ratio of hydrogen and deuterium isotopes in radio frequency heated plasmas in the H-1 heliac
    Supervisor: Professor RL Dewar
    Using asymptotic expansion theory the student will develop a formula for the nonlinear frequency shift of a plasma wave up to terms in the square of the amplitude
    To explore the equilibrium and stability of multiple region partially-relaxed MRXMHD plasmas in helical geometry.
    Supervisor: Professor RL Dewar
    Using computational and analytical methods the student will investigate the wake of a supersonic charged particle moving through a plasma
    Supervisor: Dr MJ Hole , Dr J Larson
    The student will develop numerical algorithms to automate and perform MHD stability analysis of ITER and conceptual fusion power plant configurations.
    Supervisor: Dr BD Blackwell
    Using a small electron beam, trace the magnetic field lines in H-1, to investigate changes in magnetic geometry, transition to chaos.
    Fast imaging systems synchronously locked to the frequency of fluctuations in the H-1 plasma will be used to identify the nature of the instabilities and their driving mechanisms.
    Supervisor: Dr BD Blackwell
    Apply machine learning techniques to assessment of the data quality in plasma fusion experiments, such as the H-1 Heliac.
    Supervisor: Professor J Howard
    You will apply new coherence imaging cameras and develop suitable inverse procedures for spectro-polarimertic imaging of plasmas in the H-1 heliac and on fusion devices in the US and Europe.
    Supervisor: Dr BD Blackwell
    Datamining techniques extract information from H-1 essential to understanding instabilities that threaten the viability of fusion as the ultimate clean energy source.
    Using variational methods on a known magnetic field exhibiting chaos the student will develop optimal curvilinear coordinates for plasma equilibrium studies

    Materials Science and Engineering

    Supervisor: Dr JE Bradby
    This work examines the mechanical properties of the shells of a range of marine creatures in an effort to understand how increasing ocean acidification influences their mechanical properties.
    Supervisor: Dr SM Notley
    Using the atomic force microscope, the surface forces between mineral oxides (such as silica and titania) and wood fibre model surfaces (cellulose and lignin) will be measured in aqueous solution.
    Successful p-type doping seems to be elusive in ZnO, an emerging semiconductor for optoelectronic devices. This project studies ion implantation for doping studies.
    Supervisor: Dr P Kluth
    Investigate fundamental properties and applications of material modifications induced by high energetic heavy ions in insulating and semiconducting materials
    Supervisor: Dr S Ruffell
    Crystallization of amorphous silicon (a-Si) is an area of huge interest for the flat panel and silicon solar cell industries. Formation of high quality polycrystalline silicon from a-Si is desirable for high performance of such devices. We have shown that formation of such films by nanoindentation and low-temperature annealing may be a novel means to form high quality material. This project will study the post-indentation crystallization of such films and measure the electrical and optical properties of the final material.
    Supervisor: Dr DJ Goossens
    Using a range of techniques including diffraction and magnetometry, we explore the magnetic and structural ordering in magnetic materials such as two-dimensional magnetic systems and functional oxides
    Supervisor: Dr SSR Mokkapati , Dr KR Catchpole
    This project will investigate the optimal periodic structures for trapping light inside the thin active regions of a solar cell.
    This project will study the synthesis, structure and properties of silica and hybrid metal-silica nanostructures fabricated by a simple vapour-liquid-solid technique.
    Supervisor: Dr S Ruffell
    Nanoindentation of semiconductors is an area of interest at the ANU. In particular, pressure-induced phases of silicon that can formed at the nanoscale have exciting prospects for future devices. So far, electrical characterization of high pressure crystalline phases have yielded some very exciting results but a detailed understanding of these properties is required. It is intended that these phases will be used to fabricate a series of test devices that can be fabricated at room temperature without complicated processing steps; a very attractive proposition.
    This project will investigate the epitaxial growth and properties of ZnO and related materials. It will also study the synthesis and properties of ZnO nanostructures and other heterostructures.
    This project aims towards the formation of a stable Schottky diode on ZnO using various deposition method including e-beam evaporation, sputter deposition.
    Experimental and theoretical study of novel composite metallo-dielectric structures, or metamaterials.
    This project will investigate the epitaxial growth and properties of InAsSb nanostructures. It will also extend to the design and fabrication of mid-IR devices such as laser diodes and photodetectors
    Silica nanowires with gold pea-pod structures will be grown and their growth mechanism investigated.
    This project investigates the fundamental growth mechanism of semiconductor nanowires and how the effect on the nanowire material properties
    Supervisor: Dr YJ Wong Leung
    Silicon carbide has some very stable deep levels present in its as-grown material. This project studies ion implantation induced deep levels with an aim to reveal its origin.
    This project will use temperature-controlled nanoindentation as a tool for engineering a range of novel semiconductor structures.
    Supervisor: Dr S Ruffell
    Until recently germanium has been sidelined as a semiconductor for use in metal-oxide-field-effect-transistors (MOSFETs) despite it having a higher carrier mobility than silicon. The reason for this was the lack of an effective material for use as the gate dielectric. Recently, however, high quality dielectric/Ge interfaces have been produced opening up a rich area of research in high performance Ge-based devices. In order to fabricate these devices much work is required in the area of ion-implantation and thermal processing for fabrication of doped layers for which there has been 4 decades worth for Si. The focus of this project will contribute to the understainding of the interaction of defects and dopants during thermal processing and assess the electronic properties of doped regions.
    Silica nanowires coated with different metal catalysts will be investigated for catalytic or plasmonic applications.
    Supervisor: Dr SSR Mokkapati , Dr KR Catchpole
    This project will investigate the optimal photonic crystal structures (1D, 2D and 3D) for trapping light inside the thin active regions of a solar cell.
    Supervisor: Dr M Vos
    What information is contained in the spectra and angular distributions of electrons scattered at high energies from surfaces? Now such measurements are possible with sub-eV resolution, we are discovering a wide range of phenomena buried in these spectra. Can we understand them, and can we develop such experiments into a novel analytical technique? This is the challenge of this research.
    This project investigates device fabrication technologies for making nanowire electronic and optoelectronic devices
    Ion implantation has been shown to increase the resistivity of semiconductors. This project explores the use of ion implantation in SiC for electrical isolation in devices.
    Silica nanowires coated with Titania and investigated for catalytic and photovoltaic applications
    Supervisor: Dr SM Notley
    Individual polymer chains anchored between two surfaces will be stretched in solution as a function of solvent conditions
    The project will investigate the photovoltaic properties of III-V semiconductor materials with the incorporation of quantum wells and dots for enhanced efficiencies
    The project will investigate the photovoltaic properties of semiconductor nanowires and the fabrication of nanowire solar cells
    Supervisor: Dr DJ Goossens
    Short-range order, on the scale of nanometres, is important inunderstanding a material's properties. We study that order using diffusescattering of synchrotron X-rays, electrons and neutrons.
    This project will study resistive switching in transition-metal oxides which forms the basis of a novel new circuit element called the memister and forms the basis of devices used as nonvolatile memory elements.
    An aligned gold nanoparticle array will be developed using nanoindentaion techniques
    Supervisor: Dr JE Bradby
    The deformation mechanisms of a number of different crystal-structures of SiC will be investigated using nanoindentation and electron microscopy.
    Supervisor: Dr SM Notley
    Using a range of surface analytical techniques, the adsorption of surfactant to cellulose will be studied.
    Supervisor: Dr AP Sheppard
    Explore techniques for rendering the 3D cellular structures that follow the boundaries of watershed basins in the height functions of 3D images.
    The structures of amorphous semiconductors will be characterized using an array of sophisticated techniques including nanoindentation, electron microscopy and synchrotron scattering during pressurization in diamond-anvil cells.

    Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

    Supervisor: Dr S Ruffell
    Crystallization of amorphous silicon (a-Si) is an area of huge interest for the flat panel and silicon solar cell industries. Formation of high quality polycrystalline silicon from a-Si is desirable for high performance of such devices. We have shown that formation of such films by nanoindentation and low-temperature annealing may be a novel means to form high quality material. This project will study the post-indentation crystallization of such films and measure the electrical and optical properties of the final material.
    This project will study the synthesis, structure and properties of silica and hybrid metal-silica nanostructures fabricated by a simple vapour-liquid-solid technique.
    Supervisor: Dr S Ruffell
    Nanoindentation of semiconductors is an area of interest at the ANU. In particular, pressure-induced phases of silicon that can formed at the nanoscale have exciting prospects for future devices. So far, electrical characterization of high pressure crystalline phases have yielded some very exciting results but a detailed understanding of these properties is required. It is intended that these phases will be used to fabricate a series of test devices that can be fabricated at room temperature without complicated processing steps; a very attractive proposition.
    Experimental and theoretical study of novel composite metallo-dielectric structures, or metamaterials.
    This project will investigate the epitaxial growth and properties of InAsSb nanostructures. It will also extend to the design and fabrication of mid-IR devices such as laser diodes and photodetectors
    Silica nanowires with gold pea-pod structures will be grown and their growth mechanism investigated.
    This project investigates the fundamental growth mechanism of semiconductor nanowires and how the effect on the nanowire material properties
    This project will use temperature-controlled nanoindentation as a tool for engineering a range of novel semiconductor structures.
    Silica nanowires coated with different metal catalysts will be investigated for catalytic or plasmonic applications.
    This project investigates device fabrication technologies for making nanowire electronic and optoelectronic devices
    Silica nanowires coated with Titania and investigated for catalytic and photovoltaic applications
    The project will investigate the photovoltaic properties of III-V semiconductor materials with the incorporation of quantum wells and dots for enhanced efficiencies
    The project will investigate the photovoltaic properties of semiconductor nanowires and the fabrication of nanowire solar cells
    An aligned gold nanoparticle array will be developed using nanoindentaion techniques
    Supervisor: Dr A Desyatnykov
    Student will be engaged in the theoretical and computational analysis of the dynamics of trapping and manipulation of absorbing particles in open air using vortex laser beams
    Supervisor: Dr JE Bradby
    The deformation mechanisms of a number of different crystal-structures of SiC will be investigated using nanoindentation and electron microscopy.
    The structures of amorphous semiconductors will be characterized using an array of sophisticated techniques including nanoindentation, electron microscopy and synchrotron scattering during pressurization in diamond-anvil cells.
    The student will study the control of light propagation in nano-strutured materials

    Photonics, Lasers and Nonlinear Optics

    Supervisor: Dr SSR Mokkapati , Dr KR Catchpole
    This project will investigate the optimal periodic structures for trapping light inside the thin active regions of a solar cell.
    Experimental and theoretical study of novel composite metallo-dielectric structures, or metamaterials.
    This project will investigate the epitaxial growth and properties of InAsSb nanostructures. It will also extend to the design and fabrication of mid-IR devices such as laser diodes and photodetectors
    Supervisor: Professor JD Love
    This is a theory project investigating the possibility of using a two- or few-mode fibre to enhance optical fibre bandwidth for long-distance data transmission
    Supervisor: Dr SSR Mokkapati , Dr KR Catchpole
    This project will investigate the optimal photonic crystal structures (1D, 2D and 3D) for trapping light inside the thin active regions of a solar cell.
    This project investigates device fabrication technologies for making nanowire electronic and optoelectronic devices
    Supervisor: Dr A Desyatnykov
    Student will be engaged in the theoretical and computational analysis of the dynamics of trapping and manipulation of absorbing particles in open air using vortex laser beams
    The student will study the control of light propagation in nano-strutured materials

    Physics of Fluids

    Surface waves are studied in laboratory experiment. Waves are excited parametrically in vertically shaken containers. Laser and microwave scattering techniques are used to characterize chaotic wave fields.
    Supervisor: Professor M Shats
    Experiments with rotating fluids aim at better understanding of fundamental processes which determine the dynamics of planetary atmospheres and oceans. The presence of the Coriolis force leads to quasi-two-dimensional behaviour of the 3D flows making such a flow similar to magnetized plasma.
    Supervisor: Professor M Shats
    Experimental studies of the electromagnetically forced turbulent flows in shallow fluid layers

    Physics of the Nucleus

    This project has a theoretical/computational emphasis. The goal is to model the hyperfine interactions of highly charged free ions, examine the conditions under which these ions behave as open versus closed quantum systems, and explore their utility as a laboratory for studies of quantum decoherence.
    Nuclear hyperdeformation, although predicted by state-of-the-art nuclear model calculations, has yet to be observed. We will investigate the predicted best candidate using discrete and quasicontinuum gamma ray spectroscopy.
    The project aims to develop numerical procedures to evaluate the energy spectra of X-rays and Auger electrons emitted in nuclear decay.
    The project is aiming to develop a highly sensitive magnetic pair spectrometer to measure the weak decay branches from the Hoyle state. This state is formed in the triple-alpha reaction in stars and is responsible for the carbon production in the Universe.
    A variety of projects are available studying aspects of nuclear superdeformation in Hg/Pb nuclei
    This project combines a variety of experiments on beams from the ANU 14UD accelerator with theory to build a better understanding of the hyperfine fields present in free ions. These hyperfine fields have important applications to measuring the magnetic properties of exotic nuclei.
    The magnetic dipole moments of excited nuclear states will be measured to probe nuclear structure, especially the emergence of collectivity near closed shells. Experiments may be performed at large scale international radioactive beam facilities as well as in the ANU heavy ion accelerator laboratory.
    Experiments to investigate the interactions of weakly bound nuclei. Answers will impact on new developments of radioactive beam facilities worldwide.
    Supervisor: Professor DJ Hinde
    Modern alchemists form new elements by nuclear fusion. What are the nuclei to be used? Experiments aim to answer this question
    Nuclear fusion at energies below the barrier will be measured to understand the transition from coherent superpositions to irreversible outcomes
    This project will look for evidence of magnetic rotation, predicted in the polonium isotopes but not yet observed, in the isotope 200Po.

    Plasma Applications and Technology

    Supervisor: Professor RL Dewar
    Using computational and analytical methods the student will investigate the wake of a supersonic charged particle moving through a plasma
    Supervisor: Dr BD Blackwell
    Using a small electron beam, trace the magnetic field lines in H-1, to investigate changes in magnetic geometry, transition to chaos.
    Supervisor: Dr BD Blackwell
    Apply machine learning techniques to assessment of the data quality in plasma fusion experiments, such as the H-1 Heliac.
    Supervisor: Dr BD Blackwell
    Datamining techniques extract information from H-1 essential to understanding instabilities that threaten the viability of fusion as the ultimate clean energy source.

    Quantum Devices and Technology

    This project will investigate the epitaxial growth and properties of ZnO and related materials. It will also study the synthesis and properties of ZnO nanostructures and other heterostructures.
    This project will investigate the epitaxial growth and properties of InAsSb nanostructures. It will also extend to the design and fabrication of mid-IR devices such as laser diodes and photodetectors
    Supervisor: Dr S Ruffell
    Until recently germanium has been sidelined as a semiconductor for use in metal-oxide-field-effect-transistors (MOSFETs) despite it having a higher carrier mobility than silicon. The reason for this was the lack of an effective material for use as the gate dielectric. Recently, however, high quality dielectric/Ge interfaces have been produced opening up a rich area of research in high performance Ge-based devices. In order to fabricate these devices much work is required in the area of ion-implantation and thermal processing for fabrication of doped layers for which there has been 4 decades worth for Si. The focus of this project will contribute to the understainding of the interaction of defects and dopants during thermal processing and assess the electronic properties of doped regions.
    The project will investigate the photovoltaic properties of III-V semiconductor materials with the incorporation of quantum wells and dots for enhanced efficiencies

    Quantum Science and Applications

    This project has a theoretical/computational emphasis. The goal is to model the hyperfine interactions of highly charged free ions, examine the conditions under which these ions behave as open versus closed quantum systems, and explore their utility as a laboratory for studies of quantum decoherence.
    Supervisor: Dr VV Mangazeev
    The student will study links between integrable systems in statistical mechanics, combinatorial problems and special functions in mathematics.
    Supervisor: Dr VV Mangazeev
    Using advanced analytic and numerical methods, the student will study critical properties of 2D and 3D systems in statistical mechanics and quantum physics.
    Nuclear fusion at energies below the barrier will be measured to understand the transition from coherent superpositions to irreversible outcomes

    Theoretical Physics

    This project aims to develop and employ the full power of the theory of integrable quantum systems to new models of quantum many-body spin systems in string theory.
    The student will extend a recently developed variational principle for finding relaxed equilibrium states of a plasma to the calculation of tearing modes
    Supervisor: Dr MJ Hole , Professor I Cairns
    To infer properties of pulsar plasmas from polarization-resolved pulsar data
    Experimental and theoretical study of novel composite metallo-dielectric structures, or metamaterials.
    A critical study of the AdS/CFT correspondence and its applications
    A first introduction to generalized geometry and its applications
    Supervisor: Professor RL Dewar
    Using asymptotic expansion theory the student will develop a formula for the nonlinear frequency shift of a plasma wave up to terms in the square of the amplitude
    To explore the equilibrium and stability of multiple region partially-relaxed MRXMHD plasmas in helical geometry.
    Study of the representation theory of quantum affine algebras in relation to integrable models of statistical mechanics
    Supervisor: Professor RL Dewar
    Using computational and analytical methods the student will investigate the wake of a supersonic charged particle moving through a plasma
    This project aims to give an introduction into the geometric Langlands program
    Supervisor: Dr MJ Hole , Dr J Larson
    The student will develop numerical algorithms to automate and perform MHD stability analysis of ITER and conceptual fusion power plant configurations.
    Supervisor: Dr V Robins
    Contribute to the enumeration and characterisation of 3-periodic network structures via the tiling of periodic minimal surfaces.
    Study of exclusion statistics using algebraic geometry techniques
    Supervisor: Dr VV Mangazeev
    The student will study links between integrable systems in statistical mechanics, combinatorial problems and special functions in mathematics.
    A bootstrap program to compute beta functions for two dimensional sigma models
    Bethe Ansatz equations are the key transcendental equations in the theory of integrable low-dimensional quantum systems such as quantum impurities and quantum dots.
    The purpose of this project is to study one or more of the recent developments in String Theory
    Study of target space duality (T-Duality) in the context of Hitchin's generalized geometry.
    Supervisor: Dr VV Mangazeev
    Using advanced analytic and numerical methods, the student will study critical properties of 2D and 3D systems in statistical mechanics and quantum physics.
    Using variational methods on a known magnetic field exhibiting chaos the student will develop optimal curvilinear coordinates for plasma equilibrium studies

    Topological and Structural Science

    Supervisor: Dr SM Notley
    Using the atomic force microscope, the surface forces between mineral oxides (such as silica and titania) and wood fibre model surfaces (cellulose and lignin) will be measured in aqueous solution.
    Supervisor: Dr V Robins
    Explore applications of computational topology in 3D image segmentation or complex shape characterisation.
    Supervisor: Dr AP Sheppard
    Implement GPU-based code for simulating fluid flow in porous media, and evaluate its effectiveness
    Supervisor: Dr V Robins
    Contribute to the enumeration and characterisation of 3-periodic network structures via the tiling of periodic minimal surfaces.
    Supervisor: Dr AP Sheppard
    Use the ANU's X-ray micro-CT to image evolving samples, and apply tools being developed to generate 3D movies.
    Supervisor: Dr AP Sheppard
    Apply 3D shape characterisation tools developed at ANU to help describe plants grown at the High Resolution Plant Phenomics Facility in CSIRO Plant Industry.
    Supervisor: Dr SM Notley
    Individual polymer chains anchored between two surfaces will be stretched in solution as a function of solvent conditions
    Supervisor: Dr AP Sheppard
    Explore techniques for rendering the 3D cellular structures that follow the boundaries of watershed basins in the height functions of 3D images.

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