Potential student research projects

Astrophysics

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, Dr Jackson Dowie

Tracking radon-induced backgrounds in the CYGNO directional dark matter detector

This project investigates radon-induced backgrounds in the CYGNO directional dark matter detector. The student will develop an event-by-event simulation of radioactive decay chains and use alpha particle signatures to infer low-energy backgrounds, contributing to the understanding of detector performance using recent experimental data.

Dr Robert Renz Marcelo Gregorio, Dr Alasdair McLean, Dr Lindsey Bignell, Professor Gregory Lane

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, A/Prof Stephen Tims

Exploring atomic nuclei at the limits of their existence

Some atomic nuclei are so neutron-rich that they survive for only fractions of a second before decaying. This project uses beta decay and gamma-ray spectroscopy to study these rare systems, revealing how nuclei behave at the limits of existence and how heavy elements are created in stellar explosions.

Dr AJ Mitchell, Professor Gregory Lane

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.

Dr Michaela Froehlich , Dr Yiyi Zhong, Dr Zuzana Slavkovska, A/Prof Stephen Tims

Building an international radon network for low-background physics

Radon is a major radioactive background limiting the discovery potential of many low-background physics experiments. This project will contribute to an emerging international network working to standardise radon measurements through interlaboratory comparisons and the development of a global database for low-background physics.

Dr Robert Renz Marcelo Gregorio, Dr Lindsey Bignell, Professor Gregory Lane

Advanced detector development for rare event particle physics

Experimental, simulation, and data analysis projects are available to help develop advanced detection technology which will form the basis of a future large particle physics experiment in Australia

Dr Lindsey Bignell, Dr Robert Renz Marcelo Gregorio, Miss Victoria Bashu, Professor Gregory Lane

The intersection of nuclear structure and nuclear scattering

This project explores nuclear scattering using shell-model-derived potentials to better understand complex nuclear interactions. Students will enhance coding skills, deepen quantum mechanics knowledge, and apply high-performance computing to study processes relevant to nuclear astrophysics and nucleosynthesis, shedding light on the origins of the chemical elements.

Professor Cedric Simenel

Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy

Understanding material defects at the atomic scale using anitmatter.

Dr Joshua Machacek, Professor Stephen Buckman

Active radon removal in directional dark matter detectors

Directional dark matter searches provide a way to probe beyond the irreducible ‘neutrino fog’ that limits traditional dark matter experiments. CYGNUS-OZ is part of the global directional dark matter effort, and this project focuses on the critical challenge of radon control in these detectors.

Dr Robert Renz Marcelo Gregorio, Dr Lindsey Bignell, Professor Gregory Lane

Simulating cosmic-ray interactions with materials for dark matter and commercial applications

This project uses Geant4 simulations to investigate how naturally occurring cosmic rays interact with materials relevant to physics and environmental research, including NaI(Tl) crystals, gaseous detectors, and soil.

Dr Yiyi Zhong, Dr Lindsey Bignell

Atomic and Molecular Physics

Interactions between antimatter and ultracold atoms

Antiparticles and antimatter have progressed from theory and science fiction to become an important and exciting area of pure and applied science. This fundamental atomic physics project will investigate how antimatter and matter interact by experimentally studying the interaction of positrons (the electron anti-particle) with trapped ultracold rubidium atoms.

Dr Sean Hodgman, Professor Stephen Buckman, Dr Joshua Machacek

Positron interactions with structured surfaces

We are investigating novel effects and applications using positrons and structured surfaces.

Dr Joshua Machacek, Dr Sergey Kruk

Measuring and modelling free-ion hyperfine fields

Motivated by exciting prospects for measurements of the magnetism of rare isotopes produced by the new radioactive beam accelerators internationally, this experimental and computational project seeks to understand the enormous magnetic fields produced at the nucleus of highly charged ions by their atomic electron configuration.

Emeritus Professor Andrew Stuchbery, Emeritus Professor Tibor Kibedi, Dr Brendan McCormick, Dr AJ Mitchell

Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy

Understanding material defects at the atomic scale using anitmatter.

Dr Joshua Machacek, Professor Stephen Buckman

Biophysics

Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy

Understanding material defects at the atomic scale using anitmatter.

Dr Joshua Machacek, Professor Stephen Buckman

Clean Energy

Machine learning approaches for nuclear fusion reactions

Proton-boron fusion has the potential to deliver limitless clean energy. This project will aims to understand the physics underpinng this important nuclear reaction by developing machine learning approaches to analyse complex reaction probabilities.

Dr Edward Simpson

Engineering in Physics

Ultra-fast lifetime measurements of nuclear excited states

Atomic nuclei can behave as collections of individual particles or as strongly collective quantum systems. This project uses precision gamma-ray spectroscopy and ultra-fast lifetime measurements to investigate how and why these behaviours emerge, providing new insights into nuclear structure and the forces that govern atomic nuclei.

Professor Gregory Lane, Dr AJ Mitchell, Emeritus Professor Andrew Stuchbery

Rewriting the nuclear physics textbooks: Testing the Vibrational Model of atomic nuclei

For decades, many excited states in atomic nuclei have been interpreted as surface vibrations. New experimental evidence suggests this picture may be incomplete. This project uses Coulomb excitation and transfer reactions to investigate nuclear shapes and collective motion, helping to test ideas that underpin modern descriptions of atomic nuclei.

Dr AJ Mitchell, Emeritus Professor Andrew Stuchbery, Professor Gregory Lane

Nuclear lifetimes - developing new apparatus and methods

The measurement of the lifetimes of excited nuclear states is foundational for understanding nuclear excitations. This project covers three measurement methods that together span the nuclear lifetime range from about 100 femtoseconds to many nanoseconds. The project can include equipment development, measurement, and the development of analysis methodology (programming and computation).

Emeritus Professor Andrew Stuchbery, Dr AJ Mitchell, Professor Gregory Lane, Dr Brendan McCormick

Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy

Understanding material defects at the atomic scale using anitmatter.

Dr Joshua Machacek, Professor Stephen Buckman

Are atomic nuclei losing their 'magic'? Experimental tests of the Nuclear Shell Model

The Nuclear Shell Model has shaped our understanding of atomic nuclei for more than 75 years, yet recent experiments challenge some of its key predictions. This project uses particle-transfer reactions and the Enge Magnetic Spectrometer to probe nuclear structure, giving students hands-on experience with experiments, instrumentation, and data analysis.

Dr AJ Mitchell, Professor Gregory Lane, Emeritus Professor Andrew Stuchbery

Environmental Physics

Total recall – memory effects in negative ion sources

This project investigates contamination effects in negative ion sources used for accelerator mass spectrometry particularly relevant for the measurement of ultra-trace amounts of the long-lived radionuclides Chlorine-36 and Iodine-129 in environmental samples.

Dr Stefan Pavetich, Emeritus Professor Keith Fifield, Dr Jackson Dowie

Montebello Islands - A former nuclear test site

This project investigates anthropogenic radionuclides from the 1950s–60s nuclear tests in various marine sample types near the Montebello Islands. By analysing isotopic signatures, it aims to distinguish contributions from Montebello and Pacific Proving Ground tests, supporting environmental tracing, dose assessment, and collaboration with institutions like ANSTO and ARPANSA.

Dr Michaela Froehlich , Ms Madison Williams-Hoffman

Strontium-90 in the environment

Strontium is a naturally occurring element that accumulates in bones, with its radioactive isotope Sr-90 posing environmental concerns due its presence in nature.

Dr Michaela Froehlich , Dr Stefan Pavetich, A/Prof Stephen Tims

Radioactivity in our environment

Radionuclides such as 236U and 239Pu were introduced into the environment by the atmospheric nuclear weapon tests and an be readily measured by accelerator mass spectrometry.

Dr Michaela Froehlich

Fusion and Plasma Confinement

Machine learning approaches for nuclear fusion reactions

Dr Edward Simpson

Materials Science and Engineering

Positron interactions with structured surfaces

We are investigating novel effects and applications using positrons and structured surfaces.

Dr Joshua Machacek, Dr Sergey Kruk

Effect of Alpha Radiation on Radioisotope Source Materials

Work with RadInnovate (ARC Training Centre) and industry partner AdvanCell on an MPhil to characterise materials for use in their Th-228 radiopharmaceutical source and generator. A fully funded stipend and top-up are available, along with an industry placement.

Professor Mahananda Dasgupta, Dr Tom Ratcliff, Ms Madison Williams-Hoffman, Mrs Ingrid McCarthy

Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy

Understanding material defects at the atomic scale using anitmatter.

Dr Joshua Machacek, Professor Stephen Buckman

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

Positron interactions with structured surfaces

We are investigating novel effects and applications using positrons and structured surfaces.

Dr Joshua Machacek, Dr Sergey Kruk

Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy

Understanding material defects at the atomic scale using anitmatter.

Dr Joshua Machacek, Professor Stephen Buckman

Photonics, Lasers and Nonlinear Optics

Positron interactions with structured surfaces

We are investigating novel effects and applications using positrons and structured surfaces.

Dr Joshua Machacek, Dr Sergey Kruk

Physics of the Nucleus

Towards a global understanding of nuclear fission

Improved understandings of nuclear fission is key for many areas of science, including heavy element formation in supernova and neutron-star mergers, making safer nuclear reactors, and the formation and properties of long-lived superheavy isotopes. Students involved in this project will further our understanding of fission across the chart of nuclides.

Dr Kaitlin Cook, Emeritus Professor David Hinde, Professor Mahananda Dasgupta, Dr Jacob Buete

Measuring electric quadrupole moments - the shapes of atomic nuclei

New methods to determine the shapes of atomic nuclei via the measurement of their electric quadrupole moment are being developed. Most nuclei are prolate spheroids - shaped like an Australian Rules football. As well as giving a picture of the nucleus, the quadrupole moment is an important observable to test theory.

Emeritus Professor Andrew Stuchbery, Dr AJ Mitchell, Professor Gregory Lane, Dr Brendan McCormick

Understanding energy dissipation in colliding quantum many-body systems

This project aims to gain fundamental insights into the mechanisms of energy dissipation in nuclear collisions by making new measurements that will aid in the development of new models of nuclear fusion.

Dr Kaitlin Cook, Professor Mahananda Dasgupta, Emeritus Professor David Hinde, Dr Jacob Buete

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

Dr Stefan Pavetich, Dr Michaela Froehlich , A/Prof Stephen Tims, Dr Jackson Dowie

Tracking radon-induced backgrounds in the CYGNO directional dark matter detector

Dr Robert Renz Marcelo Gregorio, Dr Alasdair McLean, Dr Lindsey Bignell, Professor Gregory Lane

Exploring atomic nuclei at the limits of their existence

Dr AJ Mitchell, Professor Gregory Lane

Ultra-fast lifetime measurements of nuclear excited states

Professor Gregory Lane, Dr AJ Mitchell, Emeritus Professor Andrew Stuchbery

Impact of nuclear structure on dark matter direct detection

Quantum many-body modelling of the atomic nucleus will help us understand how dark matter particles interact with atomic nuclei, as well as how many scattering events we can expect in underground laboratory search for dark matter.

Ms Raghda Abdel Khaleq, Dr Navneet Krishnan, Professor Cedric Simenel

Rewriting the nuclear physics textbooks: Testing the Vibrational Model of atomic nuclei

Dr AJ Mitchell, Emeritus Professor Andrew Stuchbery, Professor Gregory Lane

Nuclear magnetism - magnetic moment measurements

This project builds on our established track record of developing novel methods to measure magnetic moments of picosecond-lived excited states in atomic nuclei, and the theoretical interpretation of those measurements. Students will help establish new methodologies to underpin future international research at the world's leading radioactive beam laboratories.

Emeritus Professor Andrew Stuchbery, Dr AJ Mitchell, Professor Gregory Lane, Dr Brendan McCormick

How do we make the next superheavy nucleus?

This project aims to make measurements that help inform us on how new superheavy elements can be made in the lab.

Dr Jacob Buete, Dr Kaitlin Cook, Professor Mahananda Dasgupta, Emeritus Professor David Hinde

Advanced detector development for rare event particle physics

Experimental, simulation, and data analysis projects are available to help develop advanced detection technology which will form the basis of a future large particle physics experiment in Australia

Dr Lindsey Bignell, Dr Robert Renz Marcelo Gregorio, Miss Victoria Bashu, Professor Gregory Lane

Time dependence of nuclear fusion

This project will allow us to understand the time-dependence of quantum tunnelling and nuclear fusion.

Dr Edward Simpson

The intersection of nuclear structure and nuclear scattering

Professor Cedric Simenel

Nuclear lifetimes - developing new apparatus and methods

Emeritus Professor Andrew Stuchbery, Dr AJ Mitchell, Professor Gregory Lane, Dr Brendan McCormick

Active radon removal in directional dark matter detectors

Dr Robert Renz Marcelo Gregorio, Dr Lindsey Bignell, Professor Gregory Lane

Are atomic nuclei losing their 'magic'? Experimental tests of the Nuclear Shell Model

Dr AJ Mitchell, Professor Gregory Lane, Emeritus Professor Andrew Stuchbery

Simulation of radiation in large complex environments

This project aims to develop new methods to rapidly simulate radiation in large complex environments to support the identification of radiological threats and accident response.

Mr James Stuchbery, Dr Edward Simpson