Physical sciences
Research in physical sciences at Macquarie University received the highest possible rating in ERA 2010 - 'performance well above world standard'
| 5-rated discipline | Physical sciences research |
| 5-rated sub disciplines |
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| 4-rated sub disciplines |
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Based predominantly within the Department of Physics and Astronomy, research in physical sciences at Macquarie has a strong focus on experimental and applied physics, while also concentrating on more fundamental and theoretical studies of atomic, optical and quantum physics, and astrophysics.
Three COREs are hosted within physical sciences - Astronomy and Astrophysics, Lasers and Photonics, and Quantum Information Science and Security.
Excellence in optical systems and quantum science
Macquarie University is a major node in two ARC Centres of Excellence - the Centre for Ultrahigh-bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems (CUDOS) and the Australian Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology (CQCT) - the ARC Australian Research Network for Fluorescence Applications in Biotechnology and Life Sciences (FABLS), the CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility, and the Anglo-Australian Observatory.
Macquarie hosts the OptoFab node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, and the Research Centre in Quantum Science and Technology is a major node of the new ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems.
The University has also received NCRIS funding for an Optical Characterisation Facility to provide state-of-the-art facilities for microspectroscopy and diagnostics, including AFM and two-photon scanning confocal microscopy.
Biomedical research across disciplines
Macquarie has recently established a new research centre - the BioFocus Research Centre - which will facilitate interdisciplinary research between engineering, biology, medicine and quantitative sciences, and will create a critical mass of researchers to pursue fundamental problems in biomedical research.
Astronomy, astrophysics and astrophotonics
Another new centre - the Research Centre in Astronomy, Astrophysics and Astrophotonics - will undertake research in the areas of planetary nebulae, binary stars, proto-planetary disks, star formation and astrophotonics.
World-leading researchers
- Professor Brian Orr was awarded the Optical Society of America William F Meggers Award.
- Deputy Vice-Chancellor - Research Professor Jim Piper was awarded the WH (Beattie) Steel Medal and Carnegie Centenary Professorship.
- Orr, Piper and Professor Ewa Goldys have been elected Fellows of the Optical Society of America.
National research centreARC Centre of Excellence for Ultrahigh-bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems OptoFab node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility |
Macquarie University research centresPhotonics Research Centre BioFocus Research Centre Research Centre in Astronomy, Astrophysics and Astrophotonics |