A He* condensate will be used to test some of the fundamental tenants of quantum mechanics

Using methods of quantum many-body theory to describe elementary processes in atoms and molecules interacting with strong electromagnetic fields.

Make a dual condensate, comprising groundstate Rb atoms and excited state He* atoms

This experimental project will take advantage of a high energy resolution positron beam to measure positron interactions with targets of fundamental interest.

Electron beams will be used to study excitation of atoms and molecules at low energies

Experiments will be carried out to verify the existence of positron binding to atoms.

The student will investigate ways to control the rate and nature of molecular breakup

We will use ultracold clouds of metastable helium to probe the surface of an atom chip

In this project we develop the kinetic theory of positrons in soft, biological matter with a view to enhancing resolution in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging.

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 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.

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.

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.

The student will use a pulsed positron beam for materials characterisation through PALS (Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy) experiments.

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.

This experimental project will investigate the interactions of positrons with a variety of molecules of biological relevance.

Apply 3D shape characterisation tools developed at ANU to help describe plants grown at the High Resolution Plant Phenomics Facility in CSIRO Plant Industry.

In this project we develop the kinetic theory of positrons in soft, biological matter with a view to enhancing resolution in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging.

This experimental project will investigate the interactions of positrons with a variety of molecules of biological relevance.

Datamining techniques extract information from H-1 essential to understanding instabilities that threaten the viability of fusion as the ultimate clean energy source.

This project will investigate the optimal periodic structures for trapping light inside the thin active regions of a solar cell.

Apply machine learning techniques to assessment of the data quality in plasma fusion experiments, such as the H-1 Heliac.

Implement GPU-based code for simulating fluid flow in porous media, and evaluate its effectiveness

The project will investigate the photovoltaic properties of semiconductor nanowires and the fabrication of nanowire solar cells

The project will investigate the photovoltaic properties of III-V semiconductor materials with the incorporation of quantum wells and dots for enhanced efficiencies

The goal of the project is to determine and understand how energetic particles, produced by injection, fusion reactions, or wave-particle resonance heating methods affect plasma stability.

Using a small electron beam, trace the magnetic field lines in H-1, to investigate changes in magnetic geometry, transition to chaos.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Using a Labview interface card and software, the student is to develop and commission a PC-based control system for superconducting resonator loop controller.

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.

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.

Apply 3D shape characterisation tools developed at ANU to help describe plants grown at the High Resolution Plant Phenomics Facility in CSIRO Plant Industry.

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.

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.

Datamining techniques extract information from H-1 essential to understanding instabilities that threaten the viability of fusion as the ultimate clean energy source.

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

Apply machine learning techniques to assessment of the data quality in plasma fusion experiments, such as the H-1 Heliac.

Using variational methods on a known magnetic field exhibiting chaos the student will develop optimal curvilinear coordinates for plasma equilibrium studies

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.

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.

The goal of the project is to determine and understand how energetic particles, produced by injection, fusion reactions, or wave-particle resonance heating methods affect plasma stability.

Using a small electron beam, trace the magnetic field lines in H-1, to investigate changes in magnetic geometry, transition to chaos.

The student will extend a recently developed variational principle for finding relaxed equilibrium states of a plasma to the calculation of tearing modes

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

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.

Explore techniques for rendering the 3D cellular structures that follow the boundaries of watershed basins in the height functions of 3D images.

This project will investigate the optimal periodic structures for trapping light inside the thin active regions of a solar cell.

Formation of nanostructures in transparent dielectrics with ultrashort laser pulses, characterisation of laser induces nanostructures

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.

Silica nanowires coated with Titania and investigated for catalytic and photovoltaic applications

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 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.

This project investigates device fabrication technologies for making nanowire electronic and optoelectronic devices

Silica nanowires with gold pea-pod structures will be grown and their growth mechanism investigated.

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.

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.

This project aims towards the formation of a stable Schottky diode on ZnO using various deposition method including e-beam evaporation, sputter deposition.

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 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.

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 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

This project will study the synthesis, structure and properties of silica and hybrid metal-silica nanostructures fabricated by a simple vapour-liquid-solid technique.

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 project will investigate the photovoltaic properties of semiconductor nanowires and the fabrication of nanowire solar cells

Successful p-type doping seems to be elusive in ZnO, an emerging semiconductor for optoelectronic devices. This project studies ion implantation for doping studies.

The project will investigate the photovoltaic properties of III-V semiconductor materials with the incorporation of quantum wells and dots for enhanced efficiencies

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 will investigate the optimal photonic crystal structures (1D, 2D and 3D) for trapping light inside the thin active regions of a solar cell.

Experimental and theoretical study of novel composite metallo-dielectric structures, or metamaterials.

The student will use a pulsed positron beam for materials characterisation through PALS (Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy) experiments.

This project investigates the fundamental growth mechanism of semiconductor nanowires and how the effect on the nanowire material properties

Individual polymer chains anchored between two surfaces will be stretched in solution as a function of solvent conditions

Investigate fundamental properties and applications of material modifications induced by high energetic heavy ions in insulating and semiconducting materials

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.

Silica nanowires coated with Titania and investigated for catalytic and photovoltaic applications

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

This project investigates device fabrication technologies for making nanowire electronic and optoelectronic devices

Silica nanowires with gold pea-pod structures will be grown and their growth mechanism investigated.

The student will study the control of light propagation in nano-strutured materials

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 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

This project will study the synthesis, structure and properties of silica and hybrid metal-silica nanostructures fabricated by a simple vapour-liquid-solid technique.

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 project will investigate the photovoltaic properties of semiconductor nanowires and the fabrication of nanowire solar cells

The project will investigate the photovoltaic properties of III-V semiconductor materials with the incorporation of quantum wells and dots for enhanced efficiencies

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.

Experimental and theoretical study of novel composite metallo-dielectric structures, or metamaterials.

The student will use a pulsed positron beam for materials characterisation through PALS (Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy) experiments.

This project investigates the fundamental growth mechanism of semiconductor nanowires and how the effect on the nanowire material properties

This project will investigate the optimal periodic structures for trapping light inside the thin active regions of a solar cell.

Formation of nanostructures in transparent dielectrics with ultrashort laser pulses, characterisation of laser induces nanostructures

Student will be engaged in the theoretical and computational analysis of the dynamics of spatial optical solitons in nonlocal nonlinear media, such as nematic liquid crystals and lead glasses

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

This project investigates device fabrication technologies for making nanowire electronic and optoelectronic devices

The student will study the control of light propagation in nano-strutured materials

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

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

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.

Experimental and theoretical study of novel composite metallo-dielectric structures, or metamaterials.

Experimental studies of the electromagnetically forced turbulent flows in shallow fluid layers

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.

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.

Modern alchemists form new elements by nuclear fusion. What are the nuclei to be used? Experiments aim to answer this question

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.

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.

Nuclear fusion at energies below the barrier will be measured to understand the transition from coherent superpositions to irreversible outcomes

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.

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.

This project will look for evidence of magnetic rotation, predicted in the polonium isotopes but not yet observed, in the isotope 200Po.

A variety of projects are available studying aspects of nuclear superdeformation in Hg/Pb 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.

Datamining techniques extract information from H-1 essential to understanding instabilities that threaten the viability of fusion as the ultimate clean energy source.

Apply machine learning techniques to assessment of the data quality in plasma fusion experiments, such as the H-1 Heliac.

Using a small electron beam, trace the magnetic field lines in H-1, to investigate changes in magnetic geometry, transition to chaos.

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.

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

The project will investigate the photovoltaic properties of III-V semiconductor materials with the incorporation of quantum wells and dots for enhanced efficiencies

The student will study links between integrable systems in statistical mechanics, combinatorial problems and special functions in mathematics.

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

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.

Study of exclusion statistics using algebraic geometry techniques

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.

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.

Using advanced analytic and numerical methods, the student will study critical properties of 2D and 3D systems in statistical mechanics and quantum physics.

The purpose of this project is to study one or more of the recent developments in String Theory

Using variational methods on a known magnetic field exhibiting chaos the student will develop optimal curvilinear coordinates for plasma equilibrium studies

Study of the representation theory of quantum affine algebras in relation to integrable models of statistical mechanics

Contribute to the enumeration and characterisation of 3-periodic network structures via the tiling of periodic minimal surfaces.

The goal of the project is to determine and understand how energetic particles, produced by injection, fusion reactions, or wave-particle resonance heating methods affect plasma stability.

Study of target space duality (T-Duality) in the context of Hitchin's generalized geometry.

The student will extend a recently developed variational principle for finding relaxed equilibrium states of a plasma to the calculation of tearing modes

Experimental and theoretical study of novel composite metallo-dielectric structures, or metamaterials.

Explore techniques for rendering the 3D cellular structures that follow the boundaries of watershed basins in the height functions of 3D images.

Explore applications of computational topology in 3D image segmentation or complex shape characterisation.

Apply 3D shape characterisation tools developed at ANU to help describe plants grown at the High Resolution Plant Phenomics Facility in CSIRO Plant Industry.

Implement GPU-based code for simulating fluid flow in porous media, and evaluate its effectiveness

Use the ANU's X-ray micro-CT to image evolving samples, and apply tools being developed to generate 3D movies.

Contribute to the enumeration and characterisation of 3-periodic network structures via the tiling of periodic minimal surfaces.

Individual polymer chains anchored between two surfaces will be stretched in solution as a function of solvent conditions