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Information for Prospective
Students
Proposed PhD Projects
- 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.
- 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.
- Postgraduate projects in Atom Optics
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.
Link to Information for Prospective Students
Suggestions/Enquiries:Departmental Administrator
Date last modified: Fri, 20 Feb 1998