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.

Filter projects

Some other physics related research projects may be found at the ANU College of Engineering & Computer Science, the Mathematical Sciences Institute and the Research School of Astronomy & Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Measuring conceptual understanding in astrophysics: building and validating a new concept inventory

This project develops a new concept inventory for astronomy and astrophysics. The key stages include expert interviews, question design and stastical validation with student cohorts.

Mr Lachlan McGinness

Automated marking of astronomy questions: can AI read the night sky?

Since 2024, Large Language Models have become the standard tool used for automated marking of physics exams, especially for hand-written exams and questions which involve diagrams. Nobody has tested them on astronomy questions where students annotate a projection of the night sky. This project benchmarks LLMs against classical computer-vision methods on marking constellation and object identification tasks.

Mr Lachlan McGinness

Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy

Understanding material defects at the atomic scale using anitmatter.

Dr Joshua Machacek, Professor Stephen Buckman

Mid-infrared single-mode waveguides for the LIFE space mission

The Large Interferometer for Exoplanets (LIFE) aims to detect biosignatures on Earth-like planets by collecting mid-infrared spectra. A major challenge is creating low-loss waveguides for spatial filtering. This project explores photonic crystal waveguides, using femtosecond lasers and Bessel beams to fabricate microstructures in transparent crystals for efficient light guidance.

A/Professor Ludovic Rapp, Dr Shan Liu

Atomic and Molecular Physics

Exploring the many body physics in an atomic matterwave system with PT symmetry

Investigating the possible enhancement of sensitivity in atomic sensors with PT symmetry and the underlying many body evolution.

Dr Jessica Eastman, Dr Simon Haine

Atomic magnetometer for exploring physics beyond the standard model and gyroscopy

Atomic sensors are exquisitely sensitive. We aim to model and build a new generation of atomic sensors to measure magnetic fields, rotation and dark matter. 

Professor Ben Buchler

Atom-light interactions in quantum memories

Quantum memories store light in atomic ensembles for applications in quantum computing and networking. This project explores how atoms and light interact in prototype quantum memories that use rare earth atoms in crystals for storage, aiming to improve memory efficiency,  storage capacity, and performance in real-world devices.

A/Prof Rose Ahlefeldt, Dr James Stuart

Mass-entangled ultracold helium atoms

This experimental project aims to create entangled states of ultracold helium atoms where the entanglement is between atoms of different mass. By manipulating the entangled pairs using laser induced Bragg transitions and measuring the resulting correlations, we will study how gravity affects mass-entangled particles.

Dr Sean Hodgman, Professor Andrew Truscott

Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy

Understanding material defects at the atomic scale using anitmatter.

Dr Joshua Machacek, Professor Stephen Buckman

Positron interactions with structured surfaces

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

Dr Joshua Machacek, Dr Sergey Kruk

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

Biophysics

Femtosecond laser for ultra-precise cavity drilling in modern dentistry

Development of efficient, versatile and fast laser femtosecond processes for advanced applications in modern dentistry promising a precise pain-free dental treatment for all patients.

A/Professor Ludovic Rapp

Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy

Understanding material defects at the atomic scale using anitmatter.

Dr Joshua Machacek, Professor Stephen Buckman

Engineering in Physics

Miniature absolute gravimeter

Absolute gravimeters tie their measurement of gravity to the definition of the second 
by interrogating the position of a falling test mass using a laser interferometer. Our vision is to develop and prototype a miniaturised absolute gravimeter by 
leveraging modern vacuum, laser, and micro-electromechanical systems.

Dr Samuel Legge

Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy

Understanding material defects at the atomic scale using anitmatter.

Dr Joshua Machacek, Professor Stephen Buckman

Femtosecond pulse laser cleaning platform for the maintenance of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

This project investigates the physics of femtosecond-pulse laser cleaning for maintenance of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It focuses on ultrafast laser–material interactions, selective ablation of corrosion and coatings, energy deposition and thermal effects, with the aim of developing an effective cleaning platform that minimises damage to the underlying steel.

A/Professor Ludovic Rapp

Materials Science and Engineering

Quantum chemistry modelling of rare earth crystals for quantum technologies

Quantum technology applications of rare earth crystals would benefit from accurate ab-initio models of how quantum properties arise from fundamental atom-atom interactions in crystals. In this project, we will adapt recent advances in molecular quantum chemistry models to rare earth crystals and apply them to quantum technology problems.

A/Prof Rose Ahlefeldt

Ultrafast laser cleaning - The light touch

Laser Cleaning is a cutting-edge technique designed for removal of contamination layers from solid surfaces by irradiating the surface with a laser beam. It is a non-contact process, which does not require the use of chemicals or abrasives, eliminating problems of chemical toxicity, corrosive residues, and erasure of surface structure. 

A/Professor Ludovic Rapp

A gateway to new material states

This project explores how ultrafast, high-intensity lasers create exotic non-equilibrium material states by branching high-energy electrons and stabilising new crystalline or amorphous phases through ultrafast quenching. Students investigate fundamental mechanisms of relativistic laser–matter interactions, aiming to produce and analyse high-energy-density matter with unusual physical and chemical properties.

A/Professor Ludovic Rapp

Efficient optical interconnect for quantum computers

Superconducting and spin qubits are leading quantum computing technologies, but we currently have no way to connect them to optical quantum networks that will make up a future quantum internet. This project will develop an interconnect capable of efficiently converting microwave quantum information from these qubits to optical frequencies.

A/Prof Rose Ahlefeldt, Dr Lara Gillan

Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy

Understanding material defects at the atomic scale using anitmatter.

Dr Joshua Machacek, Professor Stephen Buckman

Positron interactions with structured surfaces

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

Dr Joshua Machacek, Dr Sergey Kruk

Ultrashort laser processing for advanced applications

Laser processing is a cutting-edge technique designed for to clean, texture, enhance surfaces in a way not possible with any other method. It is a non-contact process, which does not require the use of chemicals or abrasives, thus eliminating problems of chemical toxicity and corrosive residues.

A/Professor Ludovic Rapp, Professor Andrei Rode

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy

Understanding material defects at the atomic scale using anitmatter.

Dr Joshua Machacek, Professor Stephen Buckman

Positron interactions with structured surfaces

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

Dr Joshua Machacek, Dr Sergey Kruk

Photonics, Lasers and Nonlinear Optics

Ultrafast laser cleaning - The light touch

Laser Cleaning is a cutting-edge technique designed for removal of contamination layers from solid surfaces by irradiating the surface with a laser beam. It is a non-contact process, which does not require the use of chemicals or abrasives, eliminating problems of chemical toxicity, corrosive residues, and erasure of surface structure. 

A/Professor Ludovic Rapp

Femtosecond laser for ultra-precise cavity drilling in modern dentistry

Development of efficient, versatile and fast laser femtosecond processes for advanced applications in modern dentistry promising a precise pain-free dental treatment for all patients.

A/Professor Ludovic Rapp

Femtosecond laser cleaning of Aboriginal rock art

This project develops safe, damage-free laser cleaning for Australian Indigenous rock art and historic stone monuments, removing contaminants without altering surfaces. Using ultrashort pulse lasers at multiple wavelengths, it combines laboratory optimization and field-applicable procedures, in collaboration with heritage partners and Indigenous custodians, to restore and preserve culturally and visually significant sites.

A/Professor Ludovic Rapp, Dr Ksenia Maximova

A gateway to new material states

This project explores how ultrafast, high-intensity lasers create exotic non-equilibrium material states by branching high-energy electrons and stabilising new crystalline or amorphous phases through ultrafast quenching. Students investigate fundamental mechanisms of relativistic laser–matter interactions, aiming to produce and analyse high-energy-density matter with unusual physical and chemical properties.

A/Professor Ludovic Rapp

Femtosecond pulse laser cleaning platform for the maintenance of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

This project investigates the physics of femtosecond-pulse laser cleaning for maintenance of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It focuses on ultrafast laser–material interactions, selective ablation of corrosion and coatings, energy deposition and thermal effects, with the aim of developing an effective cleaning platform that minimises damage to the underlying steel.

A/Professor Ludovic Rapp

Mid-infrared single-mode waveguides for the LIFE space mission

The Large Interferometer for Exoplanets (LIFE) aims to detect biosignatures on Earth-like planets by collecting mid-infrared spectra. A major challenge is creating low-loss waveguides for spatial filtering. This project explores photonic crystal waveguides, using femtosecond lasers and Bessel beams to fabricate microstructures in transparent crystals for efficient light guidance.

A/Professor Ludovic Rapp, Dr Shan Liu

Positron interactions with structured surfaces

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

Dr Joshua Machacek, Dr Sergey Kruk

Ultrashort laser processing for advanced applications

Laser processing is a cutting-edge technique designed for to clean, texture, enhance surfaces in a way not possible with any other method. It is a non-contact process, which does not require the use of chemicals or abrasives, thus eliminating problems of chemical toxicity and corrosive residues.

A/Professor Ludovic Rapp, Professor Andrei Rode

Physics Education

Measuring conceptual understanding in astrophysics: building and validating a new concept inventory

This project develops a new concept inventory for astronomy and astrophysics. The key stages include expert interviews, question design and stastical validation with student cohorts.

Mr Lachlan McGinness

Automated marking of astronomy questions: can AI read the night sky?

Since 2024, Large Language Models have become the standard tool used for automated marking of physics exams, especially for hand-written exams and questions which involve diagrams. Nobody has tested them on astronomy questions where students annotate a projection of the night sky. This project benchmarks LLMs against classical computer-vision methods on marking constellation and object identification tasks.

Mr Lachlan McGinness

Quantum Science and Technology

Quantum Communication for Secure and Anonymous Voting

This project explores how quantum communication could enable secure and anonymous voting between multiple participants. Students will investigate how quantum states of light, communication networks and information processing can be combined to protect both voting information and voter privacy.

Dr Jiayi Qin, Dr Jie Zhao

Miniature absolute gravimeter

Absolute gravimeters tie their measurement of gravity to the definition of the second 
by interrogating the position of a falling test mass using a laser interferometer. Our vision is to develop and prototype a miniaturised absolute gravimeter by 
leveraging modern vacuum, laser, and micro-electromechanical systems.

Dr Samuel Legge

Exploring the many body physics in an atomic matterwave system with PT symmetry

Investigating the possible enhancement of sensitivity in atomic sensors with PT symmetry and the underlying many body evolution.

Dr Jessica Eastman, Dr Simon Haine

Measuring quantum measurements: precision limits for quantum detector tomography

Develop new methods to determine the ultimate precision of quantum-detector calibration using detector quantum Fisher information. Projects may explore continuous-variable probes, multi-parameter incompatibility, or error-correction strategies for preserving Heisenberg scaling in realistic noisy measurements.

Dr Jie Zhao, Dr Jiayi Qin

Controlling quantum turbulence in atomic superfluids

Turbulence is one of the most important unsolved problems in modern physics, underpinning universal phenomena from galactic formation to heat and pollutant transport in our atmosphere and oceans. This project seeks to theoretically investigate turbulence in superfluids, and introduce methods of controlling the system dynamics using quantum feedback control.

Dr Zain Mehdi, Professor Joseph Hope, Dr Simon Haine

Experimental quantum simulation with ultracold metastable Helium atoms in an optical lattice

This project will construct a 3D optical lattice apparatus for ultracold metastable Helium atoms, which will form an experimental quantum-simulator to investigate quantum many-body physics. A range of experiments will be performed such as studying higher order quantum correlations across the superfluid to Mott insulator phase transition.

Dr Sean Hodgman, Professor Andrew Truscott

Illuminating the quantum vacuum: Looking for new physics in light-by-light interactions

This theoretical physics project aims to study an untested prediction of quantum field theory: the scattering of light by light in empty space. Quantum sensors could be used to detect this effect and shed new light on some of the biggest open problems in theoretical physics, including quantum gravity.

Dr Zain Mehdi, Dr Simon Haine, Professor Joseph Hope

Quantum chemistry modelling of rare earth crystals for quantum technologies

Quantum technology applications of rare earth crystals would benefit from accurate ab-initio models of how quantum properties arise from fundamental atom-atom interactions in crystals. In this project, we will adapt recent advances in molecular quantum chemistry models to rare earth crystals and apply them to quantum technology problems.

A/Prof Rose Ahlefeldt

Quantum Light for Secure Communications

This project explores how the quantum properties of light can be used to develop new approaches to secure optical communication. Students will investigate squeezed light, optical measurements and information encoding, and explore how quantum correlations can enable communication capabilities beyond conventional optical systems.

Dr Jiayi Qin, Dr Jie Zhao

Femtosecond laser cleaning of Aboriginal rock art

This project develops safe, damage-free laser cleaning for Australian Indigenous rock art and historic stone monuments, removing contaminants without altering surfaces. Using ultrashort pulse lasers at multiple wavelengths, it combines laboratory optimization and field-applicable procedures, in collaboration with heritage partners and Indigenous custodians, to restore and preserve culturally and visually significant sites.

A/Professor Ludovic Rapp, Dr Ksenia Maximova

Atomic magnetometer for exploring physics beyond the standard model and gyroscopy

Atomic sensors are exquisitely sensitive. We aim to model and build a new generation of atomic sensors to measure magnetic fields, rotation and dark matter. 

Professor Ben Buchler

Atom-light interactions in quantum memories

Quantum memories store light in atomic ensembles for applications in quantum computing and networking. This project explores how atoms and light interact in prototype quantum memories that use rare earth atoms in crystals for storage, aiming to improve memory efficiency,  storage capacity, and performance in real-world devices.

A/Prof Rose Ahlefeldt, Dr James Stuart

Mass-entangled ultracold helium atoms

This experimental project aims to create entangled states of ultracold helium atoms where the entanglement is between atoms of different mass. By manipulating the entangled pairs using laser induced Bragg transitions and measuring the resulting correlations, we will study how gravity affects mass-entangled particles.

Dr Sean Hodgman, Professor Andrew Truscott

Efficient optical interconnect for quantum computers

Superconducting and spin qubits are leading quantum computing technologies, but we currently have no way to connect them to optical quantum networks that will make up a future quantum internet. This project will develop an interconnect capable of efficiently converting microwave quantum information from these qubits to optical frequencies.

A/Prof Rose Ahlefeldt, Dr Lara Gillan

Next-generation quantum computing with trapped ions

Atoms trapped with electromagnetic fields make excellent building blocks for quantum technologies. This theoretical physics project aims to develop techniques for implementing high-speed logical operations on next-generation trapped-ion quantum computers.

Dr Zain Mehdi, Professor Joseph Hope

Collective quantum enhancement in multiparameter estimation

Collective measurements can enhance multiparameter estimation precision by allowing joint measurements on multiple copies. This project investigates the extent to which collective measurements can enhance estimation precision and how close to the fundamental limit one can get without entanglement.

Dr Jie Zhao, Dr Jiayi Qin

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

Theoretical Physics

Controlling quantum turbulence in atomic superfluids

Turbulence is one of the most important unsolved problems in modern physics, underpinning universal phenomena from galactic formation to heat and pollutant transport in our atmosphere and oceans. This project seeks to theoretically investigate turbulence in superfluids, and introduce methods of controlling the system dynamics using quantum feedback control.

Dr Zain Mehdi, Professor Joseph Hope, Dr Simon Haine

Illuminating the quantum vacuum: Looking for new physics in light-by-light interactions

This theoretical physics project aims to study an untested prediction of quantum field theory: the scattering of light by light in empty space. Quantum sensors could be used to detect this effect and shed new light on some of the biggest open problems in theoretical physics, including quantum gravity.

Dr Zain Mehdi, Dr Simon Haine, Professor Joseph Hope

Next-generation quantum computing with trapped ions

Atoms trapped with electromagnetic fields make excellent building blocks for quantum technologies. This theoretical physics project aims to develop techniques for implementing high-speed logical operations on next-generation trapped-ion quantum computers.

Dr Zain Mehdi, Professor Joseph Hope