National Science Center announced the results of calls for proposals: OPUS, PRELUDIUM and SONATA. Among the winners there are scientists from Institute of Physics NCU. Congratulations!
dr hab Piotr Wcisło, prof. UMK
OPUS
project: Ultra-accurate spectroscopy of simple molecules for fundamental studies - cryogenic cavity-enhanced spectrometer
abstract:
The main goal of this project is to study the structure of the simplest molecules (molecular hydrogen) at the unprecedented level of accuracy. The simplest molecules are of particular interest for fundamental studies mainly because their structure can be calculated from first principles, and hence they can be used to test not only the quantum mechanics but also the quantum electrodynamics for molecules. Furthermore, for the same reasons, the simple molecules can serve as unique sensors of new hypothetical forces or additional special dimensions. To reach this goal we will develop a high-power laser source coupled with an optical spectrometer that operates at cryogenic conditions (down to 10 K)..amount: 2.170.862 zł
mgr Maria Gieysztor
PRELUDIUM
project: Diamond-based fundamental research on light-matter interaction with single photons
abstract:
The emerging world of quantum technologies aims at creation and development of practical applications basing on the consequences of quantum physics. Among these one can find quantum communication, quantum computing, quantum metrology or quantum imaging. The main goal is to propose and implement solutions by taking advantage of quantum phenomena like quantum superposition or quantum entanglement. These however, can lead to very surprising and even counterintuitive implications, research on which is interesting both from fundamental and practical perspective.In the project, light-matter interaction investigation with single photons and color centers in diamond is going to be performed. Different ways of single-photon generation are possible including quantum dots, nitrogen-vacancy centers or attenuated laser beams. The proposed project however, envisages heralded single-photon source based on spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) process. The SPDC process occurs when a high-energy photon travelling through a non-linear media spontaneously decays into two low energy photons. When spatially resolvable, the generated photons can be detected separately and the detection of one of them heralds the existence of the other one. In this way, heralded single photons can be generated and subsequently directed onto a diamond sample with color centers. Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) color centers are of particular interest thanks to their peculiar optical properties making them relatively easily accessible with single photons.
In the first part of the project, the superradiance of color centers in diamond under single-photon illumination will be analyzed. Superradiance is a quantum phenomenon where an ensemble of emitters interacts with a common light field and collective behavior is observed rather than fluorescence emission of independent emitters. The aim is to demonstrate collective emission of color centers in diamond under single-photon treatment. The second part aims at verifying the possibility of beating the diffraction limit using spatially correlated photons generated by an SPDC-based source. Resolution in standard fluorescence microscopy is fundamentally limited. Here, quantum correlations between the SPDC-generated photons are expected to beat the classical limitations, improve the resolution and enable for more detailed microscope images.
amount: 140.000 zł
lic. Nikodem Stolarczyk
PRELUDIUM
project: New methods of describing the collisional effects in molecular optical resonances and their application in optical metrology
abstract:
In accurate molecular spectroscopy, collisions manifest as perturbations of the shapes of molecular optical resonances. A realistic description of the velocity-changing molecular collisions is crucial to analyze molecular spectra with high accuracy. Therefore, it is critical to use the most proper model of the kinetics of molecule-atom and molecule-molecule collisions.The main goal of this project is to formulate an accurate collisional kernels that are directly based on molecular interactions. We will assume Lennard-Jonnes potential, which will allow one to take into account both the short-distance repulsive and long-distance attractive terms of interaction, for the first time in the context of spectral line-shape study.
Implementation of such complex line-shape models requires numerical evaluation of the transport-relaxation equation, which is extremely computationally-demanding. The second goal of this project is a formulation of numerically cheap and efficient methodology of solving the transport-relaxation equation using multidimensional Taylor Series expansion.
amount: 95.400 zł
dr Akiko Nishiyama
SONATA
project: Research of origin of life with advanced molecular spectroscopy based on optical frequency combs
abstract:
The project aims to reveal the formation process of formamide employing an optical frequency comb-based advanced spectrometer. Formamide has been astronomically observed in interstellar space, and expected to play a significant role as a precursor of nucleobases which syntheses ribonucleic acid. The investigation of formation process of formamide and other precursors will bring the new knowledge and will help to verify the hypothesis about the origin of life in the universe.amount: 768.600 zł
dr Karolina Anna Mikulska-Rumińska
SONATA
project: Molecular mechanisms, signal transduction and inhibition of PEBP1-15LOX protein complex triggering the ferroptotic cell death
abstract:
Ferroptosis is a recently discovered form of cell death, different from better known apoptosis or necrosis. Ferroptosis characteristic feature is increasing level of lipid peroxides. Therefore, free radicals take electrons from the lipids causing the cell damage. Ferroptosis was identified as the mechanism of cell death in Parkinson and Huntington’s diseases, and sepsis. It plays a critical role in the treatment of cancers, and may contribute to the degradation of tissue in brain trauma, kidney diseases and asthma. Asthma is a common, long-term, inflammatory condition characterized by periodic attacks of airway obstruction marked by coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Now, over 365 million people globally are affected by asthma. Currently, there are only possibilities to minimize the symptoms of this incurable disease, but there is no effective prevention for asthma.In this project we will attempt to investigate the molecular mechanisms of the ferroptosis process to identify new chemicals that would inhibit the ferroptosis process. Recent studies showed that when two proteins, PEBP1 and 15LOX, combine they will initiate lipid peroxidation i.e. ferroptotic cell death signal. Therefore, the objective to this research proposal is to develop new medications which will protect against ferroptosis and therefore improve the quality of life people with asthma and other diseases. Measurements, mainly biochemical, performed by the US collaborators of this project – will offer additional information that might be used in anti-asthma drugs discovery in clinical tests.
The project realization will move us closer to in-depth understanding of the fundamental biological process which is ferroptosis. That may help to provide new intervention methods in asthma and other diseases.
amount: 1.240.440 zł