The Laser Physics Centre

• Dr. Neil Manson
  
  Laser stabilisation using spectral lines in solids
  Highly stabilised lasers are normally locked to atomic transitions. We have developed a new technique of locking the laser to very narrow spectral lines in solids and the approach has some attactions in comparison to the use of atoms. We have produced the narrowest spectral line yet in a solid but the questions are now associated with how good is the laser stability. To answer such questions we must establish what mechanisms can give rise to displacements and line broadening. The initial emphasis involves using an ultra stable ring dye laser for modern high resolution measurements of solids at cryogenic temperatures.

• Dr. Neil Manson
  
  Gain without inversion
  There are various schemes that have been proposed that can give gain without inversion. Many of these can be simply demostrated using the very sensitive Raman Hetrodyne detection of hyperfine transitions in a colour centre in diamond. In a program of study it is proposed to investigate these and then to progress to more speculative studies of optical gain without inversion in solid state materials using high resolution CW dye laser system.

• Dr. Wieslaw Krolikowski
  
  Photorefractive effect involves modulation of the index of refraction of electro-optic material by incident light beam. It offers unique opportunity to obtain strong nonlinear effects at low laser power. Photorefractive effect can be used for instance, for holographic storage, optical signal processing or nonlinear wave-mixing. Here at ANU our theoretical and experimental studies of photorefractivity include such projects as:
  • Photorefractive planar waveguides (for application in integrated optical devices).
  • Dynamics of photorefractive oscillators (temporal instabilities and chaos).
  • Photorefractive spatial solitary waves.

• Dr Marek Samoc and Dr. Anna Samoc
  
  Third-order nonlinear optical effects in composite photonic materials
  Photonic switching devices operating with speeds higher than those available with conventional electronics require novel photonic materials with optimized nonlinear optical response. Several approaches can be envisaged for obtaining better nonlinear optical properties: such as making use of quantum size effects in and doping of organic/inorganic composites. The project will involve theoretical modelling, preparation and characterization of NLO materials and nonlinear optical measurements performed using a range of facilities at the Laser Physics Centre.

• Postgraduate projects in UV Laser Physics
  
  UV Laser Physics has projects which use nonlinear optical techniques to study quantum mechanical interference and to generate VUV radiation for application to high resolution spectroscopy. Ph.D projects are currently available to work on the high power, dual pulsed dye laser experimental facility which supports this program. These projects would suit anyone with a background in laser physics, atomic and molecular physics or optics.
  • More detailed project descriptions
  • Supervisors: Dr. Ken Baldwin, Dr. Stephen Gibson, Dr. Brenton Lewis
  • Email contact: Dr. Ken Baldwin

• Postgraduate projects in Atom Manipulation
  
  The Atom Manipulation program has projects aimed at developing new technologies where atoms perform the analagous role to photons in light optics. Opportunities are currently available to work on the main facilities in the program - the ultrabright metastable helium beam and an ultracold helium metastable trap. These projects would suit anyone with a background in laser physics, atomic and molecular physics, optics or related disciplines in engineering.
  • More detailed project descriptions
  • Supervisors: Prof. Hans Bachor, Dr. Ken Baldwin, Dr. Steve Buckman, Dr. Maarten Hoogerland
  • Email contact: Dr. Ken Baldwin

• Postgraduate projects in Atom Optics

  Department of Physics, the Faculties

  
  The atom optics project in the Faculties involves the trapping and launching of ultra-cold Caesium atoms. The Caesium atoms are cooled to a temperature of 2 K and their deBroglie wavelength can be as large as 30nm. This slow atom launch facility is ideal for investigating the interaction of matter waves with various structures. PhD projects on the facility would suit a motivated student with an interest in fundamental physics, electronics and technology.
  
  Theoretical projects related to these experiments and other areas of atom optics including Bose Einstein condensation are also available.
  • Supervisors: Prof. Hans Bachor, Dr. Ken Baldwin, Dr. David McClelland, Dr. Craig Savage
  • Email contact: Prof. Hans Bachor