Potential student research projects

The Research School of Physics performs research at the cutting edge of a wide range of disciplines.

By undertaking your own research project at ANU you could open up an exciting career in science.

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Astrophysics

Optimising a neutron star extreme matter observatory

Following a practical introduction to optical interferometry for gravitational wave detectors and simulation tools, this project will model the optical configuration to optimize detector performance against a number of possible predictions of the neutron star equation of state.

A/Prof Bram Slagmolen, Dr Lilli (Ling) Sun, Distinguished Prof David McClelland

Single atom counting for stellar nuclear synthesis studies

In this project accelerator mass spectrometry at the 14-million volt accelerator at ANU is used to determine nuclear reaction probabilities relevant for astrophysics.

Dr Stefan Pavetich, Emeritus Professor Keith Fifield

Paving the way to study the chronology of the early solar system

Radionuclides can serve as tracers and chronometers for environmental processes. The time scale for these clocks is set by the half-life of the respective radioisotope. Using accelerator mass spectrometry and decay counting this project aims investigate the chronology of the Early Solar System.

Dr Stefan Pavetich, Dr Michaela Froehlich , A/Prof Stephen Tims, Mr Dominik Koll

Radioimpurities in particle detectors for dark matter studies

This experiment will characterise dark matter detector material. Lowest levels of natural radioactivity in high purity samples will be analysed via ultra-senstive single atom counting using acclerator mass spectrometry.