The international q-Imaging team (from left: Kate Wagner ANU, Jiri Janousek – ANU – Czech Republic, Jean Francois Morizur – Cotutelle ANU – Paris, Pu Zian – ENS Paris, Seiji Armstrong ANU, Lachlan Niccols ANU, Hans Bachor ACQAO).
Quantum-Atom Optics forms the foundation of future technologies. In a similar way that optics and electronics shaped the technologies we have today, we are convinced that quantum concepts will influence and improve communication, sensing, navigation and exploration within a few decades. The evolution of this field involved basic theory and Gedanken experiments of the 1930s, first experimental demonstrations in the 1990s and refined systems and theory models in the present, leading to actual devices in 2020-2030. This process of innovation will accelerate and ultimately create major new industries. This trend has been recognised around the world. In Australia this is a research field of extraordinary strength.
The ARC Research Council Centre of Excellence for Quantum-Atom Optics (ACQAO) has been one of the first to link the diverse techniques of optics, photons, ultracold atoms and coherent matter waves. Our strength is that we understand and can demonstrate the special quantum properties of large objects, involving thousands or even millions of atoms or photons, and observe the transition from the microscopic world of few particles to the macroscopic classical world. We start with systems dominated by quantum effects and investigate, step by step, the way quantum rules extend to practical systems.
ACQAO was founded in 2003 and has expanded the expertise through a series of ambitious goals, both in theory and experiments, and succeeded in achieving every single one of them. At the same time we have trained a group of outstanding young scientists who will take our science to the next level and across the world.
"a very efficient network has allowed us to combine experimental expertise, technology and ideas from both continents and create opportunities for new generation of scientists"
ACQAO combines the skills and experience of many of the most productive Australian researchers in this field. We bring together experienced leaders in the field with successful younger researchers and with a highly talented and motivated group of graduate students. Reaching far beyond individual projects, ACQAO has built links across Australia and created a network with our international partners, in particular in five European countries: Germany, France, United Kingdom, Holland and Denmark. The close collaboration includes the sharing of ideas and experience, joint workshops and the exchange of students and staff.
Collaboration brings many highlights. For example, we have several cotutelle students and staff exchanges between ACQAO@ANU and Universite Paris VI in the area of quantum imaging and multimode quantum optics, which is fundamental research that explores the foundation and limits for future quantum communication and optical metrology (see photo left). By combining experiments in Australia with theory in France we have become a leader in this field. This collaboration is one of the central features of the current European FP7 research program HIDEAS1, which explores the roles of quantum entanglement in future IT systems. In parallel we had student exchanges with the Danish Technical University (DTU) in Copenhagen.
We have an exchange of staff and students in the area of Bose Einstein condensates, atom lasers and atom interferometers with two of the leading research Centres in Europe. IFRAF (Institut francilien de recherche sur les atomes froids) in the Paris region2 and QUEST (Centre for Quantum Engineering and Space-Time Research) in and around Hannover3. PhD students from both sides have participated in experimental projects in the other country. We have a cotutelle program with Paris and joint PhD projects with Amsterdam, Bonn and Hannover. Research staff is travelling forth and back.
In addition, we had many scientific exchanges between the ACQAO nodes in Brisbane, Melbourne and Canberra, with research teams in London, Innsbruck and Erlangen. Several Fedor Lynen Fellowships from the German Humboldt Foundation and international exchange programs funded by the ARC have supported our networks.
Since 2003 we have held an annual series of jointly organised workshops, alternating between Australia, France and Germany, which has created a very efficient network for our young staff (see photo, below left). This has allowed us to combine experimental expertise, technology and ideas from both continents and create opportunities for new generation of scientists. Several of the graduates now hold postdoctoral positions in European universities and are highly successful in their research.
Modern science is truly global. Our model of long distance collaborations has been adopted in the formation of similar Excellence Clusters, for example in Germany and France. We know that our intensive links are accelerating our research in quantum science and create a higher impact for our work. These collaborations are beneficial to all involved, they are stimulating and they give young scientists in Australia and Europe the best possible support for their future careers.
- Hans Bachor
Director and Damien Hughes,
COO ACQAO, Canberra
