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

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

How does a quantum system reach equilibrium?

The idea of equilibration is ubiquitous throughout nature. Out-of-equilibrium dynamics – be it caused by a disturbance and subsequent “rethermalisation”, or by passing through a phase transition – is a difficult question to characterise. This project looks at both equilibration and phase transitions in a Bose-Einstein condensate of metastable helium atoms.

Professor Andrew Truscott, Dr Sean Hodgman

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

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

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

Shining new light on the ‘proton radius puzzle’ using ultracold helium

This experimental project, involves building an ultra-stable frequency laser which will be used to probe electronic transitions in ultracold - 3He and 4He.  These measurements will then be used to determine the differential isotopic nuclear charge radius of helium to a world leading absolute accuracy.

Professor Andrew Truscott, Dr Sean Hodgman

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

Engineering in Physics

Exploring physics with neural networks

Machine learning based on deep neural networks is a powerful method for improving the performance of experiments.  It may also be useful for finding new physics.

Dr Aaron Tranter, Professor Ben Buchler, Professor Ping Koy Lam

Materials Science and Engineering

Exciton polaritons in 2D atomically thin materials

This experimental project will focus on nvestigation of strong light-matter coupling and exciton polaritons in novel atomically thin materials.

Prof Elena Ostrovskaya, Professor Andrew Truscott

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

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

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

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

Photonics, Lasers and Nonlinear Optics

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

Harnessing non-classical correlations of exciton-polariton condensates

This project aims to experimentally probe and manipulate the non-classical properties of exciton polariton condensates, which will pave the way for tunable generation of quantum light on a semiconductor chip.

Dr Eliezer Estrecho, Prof Elena Ostrovskaya, Professor Andrew Truscott

Non-equilibrium quantum condensation of microcavity exciton polaritons

This project combines theoretical and experimental research on exciton polaritons in semiconductor microcavities. We investigate emergent quantum phenomena far from equilibrium and their applications for next-generation optoelectronics devices.

Prof Elena Ostrovskaya, Professor Andrew Truscott

Exciton polaritons in 2D atomically thin materials

This experimental project will focus on nvestigation of strong light-matter coupling and exciton polaritons in novel atomically thin materials.

Prof Elena Ostrovskaya, Professor Andrew Truscott

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

Synthesising non-Hermitian gauge fields for microcavity exciton polaritons

This project aims to realise various useful artificial gauge fields for cavity photons and exciton polaritons. These fields are expected to be non-Hermitian and can be used to combine effects of non-Hermiticity and topology, e.g. topological edge states and non-Hermitian skin effect. Realising these non-Hermitian fields is an important step towards practical applications of exciton-polariton condensates and superfluids.

Dr Eliezer Estrecho, Prof Elena Ostrovskaya

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

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

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

Physics of Fluids

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, Dr Simon Haine, Professor Joseph Hope

Quantum Science and Technology

How does a quantum system reach equilibrium?

The idea of equilibration is ubiquitous throughout nature. Out-of-equilibrium dynamics – be it caused by a disturbance and subsequent “rethermalisation”, or by passing through a phase transition – is a difficult question to characterise. This project looks at both equilibration and phase transitions in a Bose-Einstein condensate of metastable helium atoms.

Professor Andrew Truscott, Dr Sean Hodgman

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

Harnessing non-classical correlations of exciton-polariton condensates

This project aims to experimentally probe and manipulate the non-classical properties of exciton polariton condensates, which will pave the way for tunable generation of quantum light on a semiconductor chip.

Dr Eliezer Estrecho, Prof Elena Ostrovskaya, Professor Andrew Truscott

Beam matching using machine learning

This project aims to use a machine learning algorithm to perform beam alignment in an optics experiment. It would involve mode-matching two optical beams using motorised mirror mounts. Additional degrees of freedom like lens positions and beam polarisation can be added later.

Dr Aaron Tranter

Non-equilibrium quantum condensation of microcavity exciton polaritons

This project combines theoretical and experimental research on exciton polaritons in semiconductor microcavities. We investigate emergent quantum phenomena far from equilibrium and their applications for next-generation optoelectronics devices.

Prof Elena Ostrovskaya, Professor Andrew Truscott

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

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

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, Dr Simon Haine, Professor Joseph Hope

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

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

Synthesising non-Hermitian gauge fields for microcavity exciton polaritons

This project aims to realise various useful artificial gauge fields for cavity photons and exciton polaritons. These fields are expected to be non-Hermitian and can be used to combine effects of non-Hermiticity and topology, e.g. topological edge states and non-Hermitian skin effect. Realising these non-Hermitian fields is an important step towards practical applications of exciton-polariton condensates and superfluids.

Dr Eliezer Estrecho, Prof Elena Ostrovskaya

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

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

Exploring physics with neural networks

Machine learning based on deep neural networks is a powerful method for improving the performance of experiments.  It may also be useful for finding new physics.

Dr Aaron Tranter, Professor Ben Buchler, Professor Ping Koy Lam

Shining new light on the ‘proton radius puzzle’ using ultracold helium

This experimental project, involves building an ultra-stable frequency laser which will be used to probe electronic transitions in ultracold - 3He and 4He.  These measurements will then be used to determine the differential isotopic nuclear charge radius of helium to a world leading absolute accuracy.

Professor Andrew Truscott, Dr Sean Hodgman