Psec Nonlinear Optical Measurements on Photonic Crystal Materials

摘要

We are requesting funds to purchase a psec visible wavelength laser which will be used to build a psec Z-scan and a degenerate 4-wave mixing experimental apparatus to allow us to measure the optical nonlinearities of our new crystalline colloidal array optical limiting and switching materials. In addition, this laser will be used to create psec optical defects in the photonic bandgap crystals (PBGC) we recently fabricated, in order to determine whether we can devise methods to inject and extract light into and from these enabling materials. This equipment will enhance the education of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in the areas of nonlinear optical measurements. Most importantly, it will enable rational experimental design of materials since the same researchers synthesize the materials and then walk into an adjacent lab to prove the material's properties.