
Related departments
RSPE undertakes a wide range of materials science research including:
Use of ion beams to modify both electrical physical properties of materials - especially semiconductors. The School has an 1.7MeV tandem accelerator dedicated to this purpose together with a number of smaller machines used for both modification of materials and diagnostic techniques such as RBS. This ion beam modification of semiconductors is complimented by a MOCVD growth program focusing on production of semiconductor optoelectronic devices such as quantum well lasers and detectors.
Design and development of advanced polymers and glasses for use in photonic devices such as all optical fibre amplifiers, nonlinear optical devices and planar wave-guides. The School has a laser direct write system for the production of prototype optical waveguide devices such as smart couplers. We also have facilities for production of optical fibre and a major program dedicated to novel fibre materials.
Interaction between materials occurs primarily at surfaces making the study of surface topology, physics and chemistry a priority area for the School. We also have several groups studying: interactions between solute particles, from molecules to proteins. Polymers in solution. Suspensions of colloidal particles. Such interactions determine the properties of most real world systems. Examples include self assembly of biomembranes, reactivity in biotechnologies and biochemistry, chemical synthesis, and a host of chemical engineering applications, from minerals processing, oil recovery to soil science and detergent formulation and drug delivery. In support of these activities we have several advanced diagnostic techniques such as ultra high-resolution computed tomography.
The School has a strong research effort in mechanochemistry: the use of physical impact to generate powders with unique physical properties especially on the nanoscale. Various processes techniques are being developed to create selective nanostructures in economically viable commercial quantities.
The School also has an active research program in ultra high speed laser ablation for both the modification of surfaces and the creation of exotic nanoscale ablation products such as ultra light carbon foams.
Potential student research projects
You could be doing your own research into fusion and plasma confinement. Below are some examples of student physics research projects available in RSPE.

Can we make a harder-than-diamond diamond?
The hexagonal form of sp3 bonded carbon is predicted to be harder than 'normal' cubic diamond. We can make tiny amounts of this new form of diamond and want to know if it really is harder than diamond.

Creating new materials using pressure and diamond anvil cells
New forms of materials can be made using extreme pressures via diamond anvil cells.

Developing wearable sensors for personalized health care technologies and solutions
This is a multidisciplinary project supported by the ANU Grand Challenge project ‘Our Health in Our Hands’ (OHIOH), aimed at developing wearable sensors for detecting target biomarkers to identify certain health conditions.

Diagnosing plasma-surface interactions under fusion-relevant conditions
This project involves studying the complex plasma-surface interaction region of a fusion-relevant plasma environment through laser-based and spectroscopic techniques.

Nanowire Photodetectors for Photonic and Quantum Systems
Semiconductor nanowires are emerging nano-materials with substantial opportunities for novel photonic and quantum device applications. This project aims at developing a new generation of high performance NW based photodetectors for a wide range of applications.

Tomography of dynamic processes (3D movies)
Generating 3D volumes, i.e., tomography, of an object as it changes over time (or evolves) is a challenging problem. The ability to achieve this would reveal new information and understanding of many dynamic processes.
Please browse our full list of available physics research projects to find a student research project that interests you.
Updated: 20 May 2022/ Responsible Officer: Director, RSPhys/ Page Contact: Physics Webmaster