Postgraduate Opportunities at CAOUS

CAOUS welcomes enquiries from academically strong and motivated students wanting to undertake a PhD, MSc or Honours at Swinburne.

Reasons for coming to CAOUS for your higher degree include:

• Exciting projects, in the areas of femtosecond laser applications, atom optics, laser trapping and cooling of atoms and molecules and applied optics.
• Well-equipped, modern laboratories and facilities
• Your own up-to-date computer, in a stylish and comfortable office space

Swinburne offers a number of scholarship opportunities, and interested students are encouraged to apply. To fill out the scholarship application form, you need to contact a potential supervisor from the list below, and include the project in the application. Further information is available the university's scholarship website.

CAOUS has projects available for good research students.

Experimental Physics Ph.D. projects available
	Quantum Atom Optics on a Chip Supervisor: Prof Andrei Sidorov Ultra-cold atoms and quantum degenerate gases possess ultimate coherence properties to carry out quantum-limited measurements. This project aims to test the fundamental limits of matter-wave interferometry using a two-component Bose-Einstein condensate on an atom chip. The coherent superposition of two internal quantum states in rubidium or potassium condensates will be prepared and used to generate non-classical states. Tunable atomic interactions will allow to choose optimal conditions for spin squeezing of a many-body quantum system. The non-classical states have a great potential to improve the sensitivity of matter-wave interferometry beyond the standard quantum limit.
	Low momentum Bragg spectroscopy of a Fermi gas Supervisor: Dr Chris Vale Experiments with ultracold gases of fermionic atoms like Li-6 allow new insights into the most basic properties of superfluids (fluids that can flow with zero resistance). Bragg spectroscopy provides a highly sensitive way to probe the properties of ultracold gases. In previous experiments at Swinburne we have used high momentum Bragg scattering to observe and characterise pairing in a gas through the Bose-Einstein condensate to Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer crossover. This project will use low momentum Bragg scattering to directly probe the transition to superfluidity. Measurements of the excitation spectrum will reveal properties of the superfluid which have not yet been measured.
	Superfluidity in 2D Fermi gases Supervisor: Dr Chris Vale In large scale quantum systems the dimensionality of the system plays a dramatic role in the way collective behaviours such as superfluidity emerge. This is particularly relevant in ultracold gas experiments where optical traps can be used to restrict the motion of a gas to 1, 2 or 3 dimensions. In this project you will create a two-dimensional trap for ultracold Li-6 atoms and search for fermionic superfluidity in this lower dimensional environment. This would be the first time such a 2D Fermi superfluid has been created and measuring its critical properties will represent a major breakthrough in cold atom physics.
	2-colour 2-dimensional spectroscopy: resolving the mechanisms of coherent coupling in condensed matter systems Supervisor: Dr Jeff Davis Until recently, all experimental realisations of optical 2D spectroscopy have used single colour excitation due to experimental complexities. We have developed a method that utilises a data-processing technique known as phase-retrieval and allows the realisation of two-colour 2D spectroscopy. This project will enhance and utilise this technique in order to gain deep insight into coherent energy transport dynamics in coherently coupled quantum systems, including chains of coupled semiconductor quantum dots and quantum wells. More details (pdf)
	Exploring the role of quantum coherence in photosynthesis Supervisor: Dr Jeff Davis This project will explore the role of quantum coherence in photosynthesis by studying the dynamics of both coherent and classical energy transfer, within the isolated molecules and between the molecules within light-harvesting complexes. The ultimate aim is to develop an in depth understanding of the mechanisms responsible for the efficient energy transfer in photosynthesis. More details (pdf)
	Coherent dynamics in semiconductor nanostructures Supervisor: Dr Jeff Davis Semiconductor nanostructures, such as quantum dots (QDs) and quantum wells (QWs), have been the subject of intense research over the past 2 decades because of their intrinsic quantum mechanical properties. In this project the coherent dynamics within and between coupled quantum dots and/or wells will be investigated using novel two-colour experimental techniques. This will shed light on the mechanisms of coherent coupling, and the role played by coherent phonons, and many-body effects within the semiconductor lattice More details (pdf)
	Development of a Touch Sensor for Cochlear Implants Mechanical Modeling of Cochlear Implants (Two projects) Supervisor: Dr Paul Stoddart Cochlear implants are surgically implanted to provide a sense of hearing for people who are profoundly or severely deaf. Approximately 100,000 people worldwide have received cochlear implants so far. However, the delicate internal structures of the ear can easily be damaged when the implant is inserted. This project aims to develop an “Optical Fibre Touch Sensor” that will guide the surgeon when inserting the cochlear implant into the human ear. This will help to protect the delicate internal structures of the cochlea and preserve any residual existing hearing. More details (pdf)
	Nanoengineering of Advanced Functional Surfaces Supervisors: Prof. Peter Cadusch, Dr Paul Stoddart, A/Prof. Arnan Mitchell (RMIT) Nanometre scale arrays with precisely defined particle size and shape are attracting increasing interest in many fields of science and technology. In the Applied Optics Group, nanostructured surfaces are used for surface-enhanced Raman scattering - a sensitive method for chemical detection. This project will develop a theoretical model to predict optimised nanoparticle geometries for specific sensing applications. These designs will then be fabricated using state-of-the-art lithographic techniques, in collaboration with the Microelectronics Materials and Technology Centre at RMIT. The performance of the resulting structures will be evaluated by means of Raman microscopy. A generous top-up is available for a talented student who is able to obtain a Swinburne postgraduate research scholarship.
	Development of an optical fibre sensing system for detection and monitoring of localised strain concentrations on Defence platforms Supervisors: Dr Paul Stoddart and Dr Claire Davis (DSTO) This project will involve the development and validation of a low-cost self-diagnostic fibre-optic sensing system which can detect regions of localised strain concentration. The sensor will be validated on materials and structures for defence applications. The project is located at Swinburne but is a collaboration with the Defence Science and Technology Organisation. More details (pdf)
	Deterministic source of single photons Supervisors: Prof. Andrei Sidorov, Dr Alexander Akulshin and Prof. Russell McLean The ability to generate and manipulate single photons in a controllable way is of paramount importance for the development of quantum communication and information processing. The project aims to develop a deterministic source of single photons using ultracold trapped atoms and Raman scattering of photons. The scope of the project includes the production of the trapped atoms, the realisation of a “write –read” process, the detection of the single photons and studies of coherence properties of the photons.
	Magnetic lattices for ultracold atoms Supervisors: Prof. Peter Hannaford, Prof. Andrei Sidorov and Prof Russell McLean Periodic lattice potentials provide an important means for manipulating the properties of ultracold atoms and Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs), allowing a variety of quantum phenomena to be investigated. This project will use a novel approach based on magnetic lattices created by patterned magnetic films on an atom chip to study quantum phenomena associated with the tunnelling of ultracold atoms and BECs between lattice sites. The basic BEC and atom chip apparatus has been constructed and is operational.

Honours projects
	Optical Fibre Bragg Grating Sensors Supervisor: Dr Paul Stoddart The Applied Optics group has a number of projects underway that utilise fibre Bragg gratings as sensitive monitors of temperature and strain. These projects include an air flow rate sensor, cryogenic temperature sensor and a fail-safe sensor for smart composite structures. The gratings are produced on our state-of-the-art grating fabrication system. There is plenty of scope for student involvement in these exciting applied projects.
	Two-component Bose condensate on an atom chip Supervisors: Prof. Andrei Sidorov and Dr Brenton Hall The aim of the project is the investigation of coherence properties of a Bose condensate. The project involves the production of a coherent superposition of two quantum states in the condensate using two-photon microwave/radiofrequency fields and studies of coherent evolution of the states in the running Atom Chip I setup. More details (pdf)
	Phase locking of two diode lasers Supervisors: Prof. Andrei Sidorov and Dr Alexander Akulshin Two laser beams with frequency separation of 6.8 GHz are required in studies of “slow light” and “storage of light” phenomena and for the preparation of coherent superposition of hyperfine states with 87Rb atoms. Mutual coherence of the beams is of paramount significance for the successful realisations of these effects. A typical system involves beating laser beams on a fast photodiode, mixing the microwave beat signal with a stable reference signal at 6.8 GHz, and feeding back the error signal to a current control of one of the lasers. The project is of experimental nature and will involve building electronic circuits, the diode laser operation and laser spectroscopy experiments with atomic vapours and cold atoms. More details (pdf)
	Enhanced nonlinearity and spatial nonlinear effects of coherent atomic media Supervisors: Alexander Akoulchine and Russell McLean The aim of this project is the study of spatial nonlinear effects, such as self-focusing, diffraction and waveguiding, in atomic media with light-induced ground-state coherences. There is a room for modelling and theory within this mainly experimental project. Through involvement in the project you will learn fundamental aspects of atomic physics and quantum mechanics and will obtain hands-on experience with high-resolution laser spectroscopy.. More details (pdf)
	Molecular condensates and Degenerate Fermi gases Supervisors: Chris Vale, Wayne Rowlands, Peter Hannaford In the cold molecules lab we have several research programs underway which use 6Li gas cooled to quantum degeneracy. Our primary goals are to study Bragg scattering of paired superfluids, coherence properties of molecular BECs and p-wave molecule formation. We have PhD and Honours level projects available in these areas.
	Gas Cell for High Harmonics Generation of Extreme Ultraviolet Beam Supervisor: Dr Lap Van Dao The generation of extreme ultraviolet pulse using high power femtosecond laser is a very exciting topic not only for study of the interaction between intense laser field and matters but also for application such as coherent diffraction imaging. The aim of this project is to design different cell for generation of high harmonics in gas medium. The properties of emission especial the quasi-phase matching will be studied.

For more details contact Professor Peter Hannaford (phannaford@swin.edu.au)