27-Oct-09

Congratulations to Ravi Pant & Ben Eggleton, Peter Domachuk, and Martijn de Sterke for their recent successfull applications for ARC grants. Ravi & Ben were awarded a grant for investigations in to stimulated Brillouin scattering and slow light ("Stimulating light scattering in periodic structures: How slow can it go?"), Peter for investigating silk for bio-optical devices ("Approved Silk Fibroin Optofluidic Chips") and Martijn for an invstigations into slow light ("Frozen linear and nonlinear light"). In total, over $1.1 million over the next 5 years.

In more detail:

DP1096831 Dr P Domachuk
Silk Fibroin Optofluidic Chips
$ 130,000
$ 105,000
$ 105,000
$ 105,000
Primary RFCD 2917 COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES
APD Dr P Domachuk
The University of Sydney
Unlike any other material, even any other biologically occurring material,
silk is unique in being very transparent, able to be shaped on a very small
scale and can keep natural chemicals like proteins and enzymes active. This
project will use silk to make optical devices and sensors. Optics made from
silk will have all these properties, which means that they can be used as
sensors and devices in biochemistry applications that have never been
possible before. These cost-effective devices will have the potential to
enhance healthcare, emergency medicine and assist early medical diagnosis.

DP1093445 Prof CM de Sterke
Frozen linear and nonlinear light
$ 100,000
$ 100,000
$ 100,000
Primary RFCD 2404 OPTICAL PHYSICS
The University of Sydney
Frozen light refers to the observation that light inside particular media
can be much brighter than outside it, essentially because it bounced around
many times before leaving. Such light has many advantages which have
applications in optical signal processing, lasers, and in other optical
devices. Until now frozen light has only been studied in a small range of
geometries and only at low intensities. In this fundamental research project
we will investigate frozen light, its generation and its properties at low
and high intensities, systematically, and we will assess how it can be
harnessed for potential applications.

DP1096838 Prof BJ Eggleton; Mr R Pant
Stimulating light scattering in periodic structures: How slow can it go?
$ 130,000
$ 120,000
$ 120,000
Primary RFCD 2404 OPTICAL PHYSICS
APD Mr R Pant
The University of Sydney
Proof-of-concept experiments have already proven that it is possible to
reduce and control the speed of light within the laboratory. This
fundamental change in our understanding of light properties generated a
frenzy of scientific interest and we now have a basic understanding of the
physical processes involved in slowing light. What we do not have, however,
is a method of doing so that can be harnessed into useful applications
outside of the lab. Our proposed approach offers a low power solution that
can be readily incorporated into a myriad of engineered devices.