ARC Centre of Excellence in Optical Microcombs for Breakthrough Science

ARC Centre of Excellence in Optical Microcombs for Breakthrough Science

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Light is the most precise way to measure things on Earth. From accurately tracking and estimating our Google Maps journeys to gaining insight into our bodies through biomedical imaging, being able to measure things precisely underpins almost everything we do.

Our team at the ARC Centre of Excellence in Optical Microcombs for Breakthrough Science (COMBS) is using technology – called the optical frequency comb – to drive society-wide transformations in the fields of biomedical imaging, communications, precision measurement and astronomy.

Optical frequency combs are still generally confined to the most advanced science labs due to their size and complexity, however our team at COMBS aims to transform these systems into light-powered chips the size of a fingernail.

We will do this through partnering with scientific and industrial end-users to create new approaches and solutions in the biomedical imaging, communications, precision measurement and astronomy.

Research themes

Microcomb Science and Technology

Understand new optical physics for generating combs, structures and materials

Spectroscopy and Microscopy

Better understand living organisms and complex gases

Information and Intelligence

Advance record-breaking internet transmission for rapid brain-like machine learning

Sensing and Measurement

Create compact robust atomic clocks for structural monitoring and mapping of geological features

Astrocombs

Deliver new calibration standards for astronomical spectrographs to search for planets in other solar systems

Featured projects

Our team at the ARC Centre of Excellence in Optical Microcombs for Breakthrough Science is working on a variety of projects spanning fundamental physics, astronomy, sensing and measurement, information and intelligence, and spectroscopy and microscopy.

Our team

The ARC Centre of Excellence in Optical Microcombs for Breakthrough Science (COMBS) brings together a team of multi-disciplinary researchers spanning optical physics, photonic chip technology, materials science, and sophisticated digital and microwave electronics from eight universities.

COMBS is led by Distinguished Professor Arnan Mitchell from RMIT’s School of Engineering.

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Centre Director

Distinguished Professor Arnan Mitchell

Open Positions

Are you interested in being a part of our Centre? Please refer to our Open Positions page for more information.

Centre partners

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Contact us

Would you like to get in touch? Please email the COMBS operations team at combs@rmit.edu.au

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Connect with us

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.