Laser Source for Low-Frequency Gravitational Force Sensing Development

This Major Equipment Grant application is seeking support to purchase two 2Watt lasers for use within the recently awarded ARC Future Fellowship of Dr Bram Slagmolen in the Centre for Gravitational Physics, within the Department of Quantum Science. There is a long term need for this equipment, within the Centre, to support a diverse range of projects that meet the strategic directions of the group. Dr Slagmolen’s Fellowship relies heavily on current facilities provided by the centre, but the cost of this equipment does not easily fit within this framework. A Discovery Project (DP140101009) was proposed to the ARC, to provide additional support to the Future Fellowship project, but was unsuccessful. A LIEF proposal was not possible, because the value of the lasers ($133k) does not meet the required minimum for the scheme.