Our ability to study our universe is defined by the power of our telescopes. Technologies developed for quantum communications and quantum sensors have the potential to revolutionize astronomy by increasing their sensitivity and resolution. Techniques developed from quantum optics research allow us to extract more information from each photon and even achieve super-resolution — resolution beyond what can be achieved with classical technologies. Telescopes using these technologies would enable us to image Earth-like exoplanets, probe the event horizons of black holes, and reveal the formation mechanism of stars and planetary systems.
PhD topics include:
- Quantum interferometers — Adapting technologies, such as quantum memories, and tools from quantum optics to demonstrate large-scale quantum imaging interferometers capable of surpassing the resolution of any existing telescope.
- Quantum telescopes — Developing lab-scale quantum imaging techniques and theory into practical tools for astronomy, including testing these systems on actual telescopes and observations.
- Digital intensity interferometry — Intensity interferometry infers information about astronomical objects through correlation of amplitude information. This work will develop and extend the capabilities of this technique using modern digital signal processing.
- Giving back to quantum — Taking the knowledge and advancements made in the pursuit of adapting quantum technologies to astronomy and applying them to improve quantum communications and quantum sensing.
The student will work as part of the Astrophotonics Group (www.icrar.org/astrophotonics) at the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) with a multidisciplinary team with expertise in astronomy, physics, and engineering. The student will have the opportunity to work in a world-class optical metrology laboratory, develop skills in experimental physics and engineering, and collaborate with research groups and observatories from across Australia and around the world.