Laser-spectroscopic sensing - suitable for physicists, chemists, and electronic engineers
Funding is available for 2 MQRES PhD studentships within the Department of Physics at Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. Each entails a research project on laser-based spectroscopic sensing within Macquarie University's MQ Photonics Research Centre, working with Professor Brian Orr, Associate Professor David Coutts, and Dr Yabai He. MQ Photonics, which comprises ~30 research staff and ~30 PhD students, offers a wide range of laser, photonic and spectroscopic facilities in a highly supportive academic environment.
See http://www.ics.mq.edu.au/research/photonics/
Project 1: Nanostructure-enhanced coherent Raman micro-spectroscopy and imaging
Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) micro-spectroscopy is a laser-based nonlinear-optical technique which allows sensitive microscopic chemical fingerprinting and imaging. We shall study and exploit CARS mechanisms arising at nanostructured surfaces that are able to enhance this powerful form of microscopy, thereby improving its already-high sensitivity. Outcomes will include new cost-effective technologies for CARS micro-spectroscopic sensing and imaging, new knowledge in the physics of surface-enhanced Raman microscopy, and new practical instrumentation that offers dramatically improved CARS detection sensitivity down to the level of single molecules. Such approaches will have broad significance ranging from investigation of biomedical processes in tissues, cells and biomolecules to ultra-sensitive detection of trace chemical substances such as explosives, pathogens and forensic residues.
Project 2: Gas sensing by cavity ringdown spectroscopy - forensic and security applications
Cavity ringdown (CRD) spectroscopy is a cavity-enhanced technique that provides very high sensitivity for detection of weak absorption spectra of gas-phase molecules. CRD measures the decay time of radiation inside an optical cavity, rather than the transmitted optical power or energy as in conventional absorption spectroscopy. The experiments proposed in this PhD project will employ tunable coherent radiation (for example, from a laser or nonlinear-optical source) that may be either pulsed (with high repetition rate for optimal duty factor) or continuous-wave (using our innovative rapidly-swept CRD techniques). Our ongoing research aims to optimise the detection sensitivity attainable with compact, cost-effective instrument designs and to use tunable mid-infrared light sources (quantum cascade lasers or optical parametric oscillators) to access structurally selective regions of the spectrum. A specific application entails vapour-phase detection of explosives and their post-blast residues, in collaboration with local forensic agencies.
The studentships
MQRES studentships are available immediately for a maximum period of 3.5 years and provide an indexed living allowance (currently A$20,007 tax exempt in 2008). International applicants will receive tuition funding for the tenure of their award, while domestic applicants have access to Research Training Scheme (RTS) placement for their tuition funding. For MQRES studentship application details, see: http://research.mq.edu.au/students/scholarships/pages/MQRES
Application
An expression of interest (citing at least one referee and accompanied by a CV describing the candidate's knowledge, expertise and previous studies) should be e-mailed to Professor Brian Orr borrics.mq.edu.au
Click here for Molecular & Optical Physics Home Page: http://www.ics.mq.edu.au/research/MOPL/.
Applications close on: Monday,22 September 2008.
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