
Related departments
Much of the theoretical work in the School compliments the experimental programs in areas such as the transport studies in semiconductors, photonics and optical communications.
One of the most exciting areas of modern theoretical physics is the modelling of the behaviour of complex systems such as climate patterns and the turbulent flow of fluids. RSPhysSE is one of the major players in the ARC Research Network for Complex Systems with many of our researchers undertaking research in this field.
The School also has strong research interests in Nonlinear optics and solitons, developing basic theories of solitons for optical systems that including all-optical information transmission lines and ultra-short pulse lasers. This work also extends to the design of specific novel planar and fibre light processing devices, including those with the potential for commercialisation.
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.

Effect of nuclear structure on dark matter-nucleus interactions
We investigate the impact of nuclear structure on the interaction of a dark matter particle with a nucleus.

Variational approach to many-body problems
In recent years there was a large boost in development of advanced variational methods which play an important role in analytic and numerical studies of 1D and 2D quantum spin systems. Such methods are based on the ideas coming from the renormalization...

Neutron and X-ray imaging/tomography techniques at ANSTO & Australian Synchrotron
This project involves working with scientists from imaging beamlines at the Australian Synchrotron (IMBL, XFM, MCT) and the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor (DINGO) to develop multi-modal, multi-scale, and dynamic imaging and tomography techniques alongside...

Optical nanoantennas
Antennas are at the heart of modern radio and microwave frequency communications technologies. They are the front-ends in satellites, cell-phones, laptops and other devices that make communication by sending and receiving radio waves. This project...

Quantum multi-parameter estimation
Multi-parameter state estimation at the fundamental precision limit

Time dependence of nuclear fusion
This project will allow us to understand the time-dependence of quantum tunnelling and nuclear fusion.
Please browse our full list of available physics research projects to find a student research project that interests you.
Updated: 7 February 2023/ Responsible Officer: Director, RSPhys/ Page Contact: Physics Webmaster