Novel Nonlinear Optical Processes in Active, Random and Nanostructured Systems
Abstract
This proposal is in advanced fundamental studies, both experimental and theoretical, of optical phenomena in active (i.e., with gain""), random and nanostructured systems. These systems are nanospasers, random lasers, and rogue or freak waves, which all are extremel""y nonlinear dynamic systems. The group of (co)PIs is uniquely qualified for this MURI. It includes pioneers in its fields: Stockman,"" Shalaev, and Zhang in spasers; Cao in random lasers, and Christodoulides and Wise as leaders in research on nonlinear waves. The pr""oposed research areasare interconnected and mutually-enhancing via the common underlying fundamental physics. In spasers, we concen""trate on fundamental theory and experiments. For the first time, we will build nanospasers with both optical and electric pumping an"d control. Both direct bandgapsemiconductors and dye molecules/polymers will be incorporated. The spectral tuning in the entire optical range as well as efficient out-coupling will be achieved. Pioneering research in quantum behavior of spasers will be conducted" achieving quantum non-demolition (QND)measurements, quantum correlations in radiation, and quantum regime of excitation. Random la""sers are fundamentally complex, nonlinear, open dynamic systems. We propose studies of random lasers including light localization an""d diffusion, nonlinear dynamics, statisticalphysics, and quantum optics. We propose to study and compare lasing statistics of rando"m samples with moving and static scatterers. We propose to realize Levy laser by introducing optical gain to the Levy glass ~ a random medium in which light performs Levy walks. We willcontrol spatial coherence to obtain speckle-free high-brightness light sources". We propose to study random spasers as nanoscale quantum generators with controllable statistics. For rogue waves, theoretical and"" experimental research will address 1- and 3-dimensional nonlinear systems, as well as semiconductor and fiber lasers. Freak-wave ge"neration under conditions of partial coherence will be investigated for the first time. The work on 1-D systems will be closely coupled to studies of rogue waves in fiber lasers. Results in higher dimensions will be compared to the work on spasers and to results f"rom the microwave hot spots. DoD capability impact: Radiation-hardened sources (nano-spasers and random, fiber, and semiconductor la"sers) of intense optical radiation with desired characteristics will be enabled.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 05, 2017
- Source ID
- N000141712588
Entities
People
- Mark I Stockman
Organizations
- Georgia State University
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy