AIP Vice President elected as Council member

The Australian physics community will continue to be well-represented at the Association of Asia Pacific Physical Societies (AAPPS) with the recent election of our VP Professor Nicole Bell as one of 15 Council members for 2023 – 2025.

She will follow in the footsteps of our Immediate Past President, Professor Jodie Bradby, whose term as Council member ends this year. Other past Council members include AIP Fellows Dr Cathy Foley, Prof Robert Robinson, and Dr Marc Duldig.

The AAPPS is an umbrella organisation of 20 physical societies in the Asia Pacific region, of which the AIP is part. It was founded in October 1989 with the aim to promote the advancement of physics knowledge in the region, encompassing research, applications, and teaching, especially through international collaboration.

The activities of the AAPPS include organisation of the triennial Asia Pacific Physics Conference, collaboration with other organisations such the American Physical Society, and encouraging young physics researchers through the C. N. Yang Award. 

Last month, the AAPPS and the Korean Physical Society held the 15^th Asia Pacific Physics Conference (APPC15) online.

The newly elected AAPPS Council members are:

1. Nicole F. BELL (Australian Institute of Physics)

2. Xiudong SUN (The Chinese Physical Society, Beijing)

3. Tao XIANG (The Chinese Physical Society, Beijing)

4. Ruiqin ZHANG (The Physical Society of Hong Kong)

5. Mio MURAO (The Physical Society of Japan)

6. SHEN Qing (The Japan Society of Applied Physics)

7. Hyoung Joon CHOI (The Korean Physical Society)

8. Jae-Hyung JEON (The Korean Physical Society)

9. Keun-Young KIM (The Korean Physical Society)

10. Kurunathan RATNAVELU (Malaysian Institute of Physics)

11. Narayan Prasad CHAPAGAIN (Nepal Physical Society)

12. Rajdeep Singh RAWAT (Institute of Physics Singapore)

13. Meng-Fan LUO (The Physical Society located in Taipei)

14. VU Dinh Lam (Vietnam Physical Society)

15. Kadyr G. GULAMOV (Council of Physicists of Uzbekistan)

Photo credit: ARC Centre of Excellence for Particle Physics at the Terascale (CoEPP).

Latest updates on the 2022 AIP Congress

We’re excited to catch up with you at the AIP Congress in Adelaide this December. So far, we’ve had close to 800 abstract submissions and the committee are working tirelessly to put them together into an excellent scientific program for you to enjoy.

This year’s Congress will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre from 11 – 16 Dec.

It will be co-located with the Australian and New Zealand Conference on Optics and Photonics (ANZCOP) in addition to the Workshop of Specialty Optical Fibres (WSOF).

The program currently features the following focused sessions:

• The culture of Physics and Research
• Metaphotonics and Metasurfaces
• Unveiling emergent Physics of Novel Functional Materials with Neutron Scattering
• Australia’s Future in Gravitational Wave Physics and Astrophysics
• Time Crystals
• National Vision for Nuclear Science and Applications
• Strong Interaction Dynamics and the Pursuit of Fundamental Symmetries
• Quantum Biotechnology

Early bird registration ends this month

Register now for the AIP Congress and take advantage of the early bird registration discount, which ends on 30 Sep. Members of the AIP also enjoy a further discount. See here for more details.

If you’re a postgraduate student and don’t already qualify for Member registration for the AIP Congress, join the AIP as a member full-time student for only $30. This offer is available until 1 November 2022 and applies to full-time postgraduate students who hold a recognised bachelor's degree with a physics major.

Note that Student Associates (free online members) are not considered AIP members and thus need to pay the non-member student congress registration fee. To make use of the Member discount for congress registration, Student Associates need to apply to be an Associate Full-time Student or Member Full-time student. Students can apply for AIP Membership through https://aip.org.au/Member-(MAIP) or https://aip.org.au/Associate-Member, or click ‘change’, next to their Membership Level in their AIP Student Associate profile.

Standard registration is open until 2 Dec.

Please visit the official Congress website for regular updates.

A stellar showing

Astrophysicist superstar Professor Tamara Davis AM (University of Queensland) will present a public lecture at the Congress on the evening of Mon 12 Dec. She was our 2011 Women in Physics Lecturer.

In her lecture ‘Cosmological Conundrums and the Dark Side of the Universe’, Prof Davis will talk about the latest updates on dark energy, dark matter, black holes, and gravitational waves so you can update your cocktail party conversation.

Prof Davis’ current work aims to make precise maps of dark matter, determine whether dark energy changes with time, and measure the mass of a neutrino, amongst other things.  She previously helped make one of the largest maps of galaxy distribution in the universe and measured time-dilation in distant supernovae as well as the growth of supermassive black holes.

She was also recently featured in Carbon: The Unauthorised Biography, a documentary film from Emmy-awarding Australian company, Genepool Productions.

Other confirmed speakers include plenary speakers A Prof Ania Bleszynsky Jayich (University of California, Santa Barbara; 2021 Frew Fellow) and Prof Donna Strickland (University of Waterloo; 2018 Nobel Prize Laureate and 2019 Frew Fellow). In unfortunate news, Prof Kip Thorne (Caltech; 2017 Nobel Prize Laureate) has had to cancel his trip to Australia and his plenary talk.

A full list of plenary speakers can be found here. 

Meet the AIP National Exec and Branch Chairs

Do you have suggestions for AIP initiatives, want to express concerns about research and grants etc., or simply want to meet the people that run the AIP?

You’ll have the opportunity to chat in-person with the AIP leadership during the ‘Meet the Exec and Branch Chairs’ session of the Congress.

We would love to meet our members and to hear your feedback on how the AIP is run.

Further details TBA.

Photo: Inside the Adelaide Convention Centre. Credit: NW Group.

As reported by NASA.

The dawn of a new era in astronomy is here as the world gets its first look at the full capabilities of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, a partnership with ESA (European Space Agency) and CSA (Canadian Space Agency).

The full set of the telescope’s first colour images and spectroscopic data uncover a collection of cosmic features elusive until now. They are available at: www.nasa.gov/webbfirstimages

“Today, we present humanity with a ground-breaking new view of the cosmos from the James Webb Space Telescope – a view the world has never seen before,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “These images, including the deepest infrared view of our universe that has ever been taken, show us how Webb will help to uncover the answers to questions we don’t even yet know to ask; questions that will help us better understand our universe and humanity’s place within it.”

NASA explores the unknown in space for the benefit of all, and Webb’s first observations tell the story of the hidden universe through every phase of cosmic history – from neighbouring planets outside our solar system, known as exoplanets, to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe.

“This is a singular and historic moment,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. “It took decades of drive and perseverance to get us here, and I am immensely proud of the Webb team. These first images show us how much we can accomplish when we come together behind a shared goal, to solve the cosmic mysteries that connect us all. It’s a stunning glimpse of the insights yet to come.”

Webb’s first observations were selected by a group of representatives from NASA, ESA, CSA, and the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI). They reveal the capabilities of all four of Webb’s state-of-the-art scientific instruments:

• SMACS 0723: Webb has delivered the deepest and sharpest infrared image of the distant universe so far – and in only 12.5 hours.

• WASP-96b (spectrum): Webb’s detailed observation of this hot, puffy planet outside our solar system reveals the clear signature of water, along with evidence of haze and clouds that previous studies of this planet did not detect.

•  Southern Ring Nebula: This planetary nebula, an expanding cloud of gas that surrounds a dying star, is approximately 2,000 light years away.

• Stephan’s Quintet: Webb’s view of this compact group of galaxies, located in the constellation Pegasus, pierced through the shroud of dust surrounding the centre of one galaxy, to reveal the velocity and composition of the gas near its supermassive black hole.

• Carina Nebula: Webb’s look at the ‘Cosmic Cliffs’ in the Carina Nebula unveils the earliest, rapid phases of star formation that were previously hidden. 

Read the full media release here.

Cover Photo: The Carina Nebula. Credits for all photos - NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI.

As reported by the Australian National University (ANU).

A theoretical physicist from The Australian National University (ANU) whose pioneering work has fundamentally altered our understanding of the deepest and darkest parts of the Universe and space-time itself has been recognised among the world's best gravitational scientists.

Distinguished Professor Susan Scott has been newly elected as a Fellow of the International Society on General Relativity and Gravitation (ISGRG) for 2022. Scott is the first Australian to be elected as a Fellow of the Society and she joins an elite club of exceptional scientists including world renowned theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking and Nobel Laureates Roger Penrose and Kip Thorne.

Distinguished Professor Scott, who is also the Chief Investigator with the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGrav), has been appointed to the Society for ground-breaking contributions to the understanding of the singularities and the structure of space-time. Singularities are known as places in space and time where things go very wrong, for example, if a travelling particle simply blips out of existence and has no future.

Much of Distinguished Professor Scott's research involves investigating the properties of these singularities related to black holes. Her work also seeks to understand the properties of systems of black holes and neutron stars, by studying the gravitational waves they emit.

Distinguished Professor Scott, from the ANU Centre for Gravitational Astrophysics (CGA), says she is "deeply honoured" to be the first Australian Fellow of the ISGRG.

"Election to Fellowship of the ISGRG is very prestigious, and there are only a few tens of Fellows across the world," she said.

"In Australia, and also at ANU, we now have a very established and successful research base in many areas of endeavour in gravitational research, including the detection of gravitational waves, which help us to unlock many of the Universe's mysteries.

"My research is all about gravity. I seek to understand how it shapes the Universe and warps it to the extent that it creates black holes."

In 2015, Distinguished Professor Scott was part of a 1,000-strong cohort of scientists from around the world that detected gravitational waves for the very first time. These waves are ripples in space and time caused by extremely violent events in the Universe.

This monumental discovery scientifically proved Albert Einstein's theory that gravitational waves would be caused by a collision of massive objects in space such as black holes. It also ushered in a new era of gravitational-wave astronomy and paved the way for a raft of new space discoveries, including the merging of two black holes, the collision of two neutron stars and the detection of black holes swallowing neutron stars – breakthrough discoveries Professor Scott played a key role in.

A prominent figure in Australian science, Distinguished Professor Scott's contribution to the world-first discovery of gravitational waves earned her and fellow ANU researcher Professor David McClelland the 2020 Prime Minister's Prize for Science.

Distinguished Professor Scott, who is also a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, says she wants to use her newly obtained platform with the ISGRG to continue to champion Australian science and voice her aspirations for Australia to be a major player in the next generation of gravitational wave astronomy.

She's hopeful her appointment could help throw weight behind growing calls to establish and operate a gravitational wave detector in Australia.

"For many years, myself and other fellow scientists have been on a quest to site and operate a gravitational wave detector in this country. This would enable us to play a leading role in learning more about gravitational waves and their role in the Universe," Distinguished Professor Scott said.

Read the full media release here.

Photo credit: Tracey Nearmy/ANU.

We are proud to inform our members that the AIP is in the final stages of moving our business to the Bank Australia. This is part of the AIP’s commitment to fight climate change and to contribute to a fairer world.

We are convinced that many of our members are actively engaged in making our country more sustainable.

There are many things one can do to reduce carbon emissions, including not supporting banks that using your savings to invest in fossil fuels. Unfortunately, the sad reality is that most Australians are unaware that they are supporting such banks.

We believe the solution is to support “ethical banking”, i.e., supporting banks that guarantee that they will not invest into fossil fuels among other things.

That is the reason why the AIP National Executive has taken action and we are now moving our business to the Bank Australia.

We hope we can inspire some of our members to consider this aspect of climate action.

We would like to thank the member that raised this issue with us and our Honorary Treasurer Judith Pollard and her team for the considerable work in making this move happen.

See a list of ethical banks here and read more on the issue here.

• Nominations for positions in the AIP National Executive open until 21 Aug 2022
• Nominations for the 2023 Women in Physics Lecturer re-opened until 16 Sep 2022

AIP National Executive

Help lead Australia’s premier society for the promotion of physics in research, education, industry and the community by joining the AIP National Executive team.

Every two years the AIP elects a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Registrar. Any financial Member, Fellow or Honorary Fellow can be nominated for these positions.

If you’d like to submit a nomination, it should be accompanied by signed endorsements from two financial Members, Fellows or Honorary Fellows, as well as a letter of consent from the nominee.

Note that under the institute’s constitution, the current president and vice president cannot seek re-election for the same position.

To nominate, please send the documents via email to aip@aip.org.au, or by mail to AIP, PO Box 480, West Ryde, NSW 1685, Australia.

The current Executive has put forward the following nominations:

• Nicole Bell (as President)
• Stuart Midgely (as Vice-President)
• Kirrily Rule (as Honorary Secretary)
• Stephen Collins (as Honorary Registrar)
• Dongchen Qi (as Honorary Treasurer)
• Joanna Turner (as Awards Officer)

If there are further nominations*, elections will be held in October. The new Executive will take office at the Annual General Meeting of the AIP in February next year.

*Nominations are now closed as of 1 Sep.

2023 Women in Physics Lecturer

Nominating an outstanding female physicist who will increase public awareness of the possibilities offered by studying physics and inspire future physicists for the 2023 Women in Physics Lectureship.

You may nominate a colleague or yourself. Nominations close 16 Sep.

The Women in Physics Lectureship is made annually to recognise and publicise significant contributions by a woman to advancing a field of physics. The Lecturer will receive a medal, a certificate, one year membership of the AIP, and appropriate support to provide a lecture tour across Australia.

The lecture tour will include presentations suited to range of audiences, including to high school students, non-specialist audiences, and the physics community. 

• Eligibility criteria and how to nominate here.

Our current Women in Physics Lecturer is planetary scientist Associate Professor Katarina Miljkovic (Curtin University).

• Read about A/Prof Miljkovic’s lecture tour ‘Impacts! Rocks from space colliding with planets’ here.
• Read about previous Lecturer Dr Ceri Brenner’s experience in an Australian Physics magazine article here (Page 10).

Family-friendly events at National Science Week

Bring your family to hear about meteorite impacts from our Women in Physics Lecturer Associate Professor Katarina Miljkovic, begin your amateur astronomy journey by learning about what equipment you need, or hang out and chat about physics and other dark matters at the pub.

We’ve gathered a bunch physics-related events for you to enjoy:

Multiple locations

• National Quantum and Dark Matter Road Trip. Hear about the hunt for dark matter and present and future quantum technologies from a team of scientists and science communicators delivering presentations, hands-on activities and quizzes at schools and pubs throughout Australia. Multiple dates.  

ACT

•   Dark Matter in the Pub. Learn about mysterious dark matter by listening to eight short talks from astronomers, particle physicists, nuclear physicists, and engineers while you munch on snacks and enjoy a beverage. Sun 14 Aug.
• Rainbows in Science. Young LGBTQIA+ adults interested in science can meet and hear from LGBTQIA+ scientists and allies and experience a range of colourful STEMonstrations. Fri 19 Aug.

NSW

• Indigenous Science Experience at Redfern. Discover what Aboriginal astronomy can tell us about the night sky, hear about native flora in bush medicine, learn about sustainable living from more than 60,000 years of Indigenous culture, and more. Sat 20 Aug.
•  Physics in the Pub: Quantum Light, the Aurora and Prophecies. Enjoy physics comedy and quizzes over a pub grub and beer. Hosted by Dr Phil Dooley. Fri 26 Aug.

NT

• Sound of Silence – Karama Library , Casuarina Library and Darwin City Library. Little ones can explore vibrations, sound waves, and the physics behind sound when they play with unusual ‘instruments’ and sound makers. Wed 17 Aug.

QLD

• Mirror, Mirror on the Wall. Compete to create the longest optic fibre, use a laser cutter to cut your own key chains, make and use telescopes, and learn how glass and mirrors are made, at Yarrabilba State Secondary College.  Wed 17 Aug.
•  See Through Science. Budding scientists will have fun with hands-on activities and investigations that involve circuits, solar power, stargazing, and more.  Sat 20 Aug.

SA

• Introduction to Telescopes & Binoculars. Learn what beginner equipment you need for your first foray into astronomy and discover some of the mysteries of optics from astronomy educator Mary Adam. Wed 3 Aug.  
• Little Bang Hands-on Experiments at Port Pirie Library. The young and young at heart can get their hands dirty with experiments exploring magnetism, hydrodynamics, and more, as well as enjoy the futuristic exhibit ‘Bridge to Somewhere’. Mon 15 Aug.
• Phantastic Physics Show with Nitro Nat. Little ones can see eye-catching demonstrations that explore concepts about energy and forces. Sun 28 Aug.

TAS

•  Impacts! Rocks from space colliding with planets. Listen to what meteorite impacts tell us about the evolution of planets from our Women in Physics lecturer planetary scientist, Associate Professor Katarina Miljkovic. Tues 9 Aug.

VIC

• Scientists Assemble – The science of superheroes from screen to laboratory. Join astrophysicist Professor Alan Duffy as he discusses the science in some of the best (and worst) films ever made. Mon 15 Aug.
• Girls in STEM Quantum Computing research workshop. Senior high school students can get help in preparing a research presentation about quantum computing for the upcoming Kids’ Conference Australia. Tue 16 Aug.
• Unlocking the Universe’s Secrets with The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Listen to astronomers from Swinburne University describe the first images taken by the JWST and the potential secrets of the universe they reveal. Fri 19 Aug.

WA

• LEGO Club – Balloon Car. Kids can craft a LEGO car that will be attached to a balloon, which will explore the concepts of force and motion. Mon 15 Aug.
• Glass: More than meets the eye festival. Families can observe our closest star with a purpose-build solar telescope, chat with astrophysicists at the Astro3D stall, create a baby image of the universe, and more. Sat 20 Aug.

Check the official National Science Week website to explore more science-related activities.

The AIP welcomes Education Minister Jason Clare’s statement that "delays and the political interference in the way competitive grants operate need to end”. We support the intended review into the role and governance of the Australian Research Council (ARC), the main research grants body in our country. We appreciate that the Minister acknowledges the concerns that we and the other professional bodies presented at the Senate hearing earlier this year, including that the ongoing issues damage our international reputation and creates difficulties in recruiting and maintaining staff.

• Read the Education Minister’s comments in his first speech to the university sector here.
• Read about AIP President Professor Sven Rogge’s advocacy for the independence of the ARC at the 9 Mar Senate inquiry here.

Emeritus Prof Anne Green FAIP and Prof Tanya Monro FAIP have been recognised with the highest recognition in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours: Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).

Warm congratulations to both.

A guiding star for females in physics

Emeritus Professor Anne Green AC FAIP was recognised for her ‘eminent service to science, particularly physics and astrophysics, as an educator and researcher, as a mentor to colleagues and students, and a role model to women’.

Prof Green was a trailblazer during her 50-year career, which included many ‘firsts’.

She was the first female PhD student in the School of Physics at the University of Sydney, where she also become the first female Head of Physics in 2007.  She was also one of the first female radio astronomers.

Much of her prolific career was dedicated to investigating the ecology and structure of the Milky Way Galaxy as well as studying supernovae.

The Anne Green Prize, named in her honour, is awarded annually by our cognate society, the Astronomical Society of Australia (ASA), to a mid-career scientist for a significant advance or accomplishment in astronomy or a related field. 

Of her career success, Professor Green has said:

“I've had opportunities in my career that, in hindsight, I'm gobsmacked about, but every time I've been offered an opportunity, I've accepted the challenge. That's something I've always said to young scientists, particularly women, to take the challenge when it's offered.”

Lighting the way: First ever female Chief Defence Scientist

Professor Tanya Monro AC FAIP was honoured for her ‘eminent service to scientific and technological development, to research and innovation, to tertiary education, particularly in the field of photonics, and to professional organisations’.

Prof Monro’s work focuses on using light and optical fibres to create tools for research to help address health, environmental, industrial and defence challenges.

She is currently Australia’s Chief Defence Scientist, heading up the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG). She is the first woman to take on the role.

From 2008 to 2014, she was the inaugural Director of the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing, as well as of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale Bio Photonics.

Prof Monro won the 1998 AIP Bragg Gold Medal for her PhD, which she completed at the University of Sydney.

“It's really important that we have women in senior roles visible as role models to girls and women making choices about what they want to do," Professor Monro says.

“I want to create an environment where people can contribute, no matter what diversity characteristic they bring. It's not just gender, it can be neurological diversity, it can be cultural diversity, and even age diversity.”

Photos: Anne Green – credit: ASA, Tanya Monro – credit DSTG.

As reported by the University of New South Wales (UNSW).

Quantum computing hardware specialists at UNSW have built a quantum processor in silicon to simulate an organic molecule with astounding precision.

A team of quantum computer physicists at UNSW Sydney have engineered a quantum processor at the atomic scale to simulate the behaviour of a small organic molecule, solving a challenge set some 60 years ago by theoretical physicist Richard Feynman.

The achievement, which occurred two years ahead of schedule, represents a major milestone in the race to build the world’s first quantum computer, and demonstrates the team’s ability to control the quantum states of electrons and atoms in silicon at an exquisite level not achieved before.

In a paper published today in the journal Nature, the researchers describe how they were able to mimic the structure and energy states of the organic compound polyacetylene– a repeating chain of carbon and hydrogen atoms distinguished by alternating single and double bonds of carbon.

Lead researcher and former Australian of the Year, Scientia Professor Michelle Simmons, said the team at Silicon Quantum Computing (SQC), one of UNSW’s most exciting start-ups, built a quantum integrated circuit comprising a chain of 10 quantum dots to simulate the precise location of atoms in the polyacetylene chain.

Prof Simmons was AIP’s 2000 Women in Physics Lecturer.

“If you go back to the 1950s, Richard Feynman said you can't understand how nature works unless you can build matter at the same length scale,” Professor Simmons said.

“And so that’s what we're doing, we're literally building it from the bottom up, where we are mimicking the polyacetylene molecule by putting atoms in silicon with the exact distances that represent the single and double carbon-carbon bonds.”

Read the full media release here.

Photo: An artist's impression of inside the quantum integrated circuit modelling the carbon chain. The simulated carbon atoms are in red, while the blue depicts electrons exchanged between them. Credit – SQC.