Acquisition Of an Ultrafast Amplified Laser System for Research and Education in Material Science
Abstract
We propose the acquisition of an ultrafast amplified laser system which consists of a one-box, femtosecond Ti:Sapphire amplifier system, a femtosecond Optical Parametric Amplifier (OPA) with the second harmonic and sum frequency option, a femtosecond OPA with the nonlinear different frequency generation option, and an optical table. The system can provide ultrashort pulses (> 35 fs) with high pulse energy (up to 7 mJ) in a broad wavelength tuning range (480 nm - 9 microns). The requested laser system will bring unique new capabilities to the research and education in material science at Florida International University (FIU), a minority serving institution and the only public research university in Miami. The combined advantages of ultrashort pulses, high pulse energy, and broad wavelength tuning range will be integrated with the existing material research programs in the Departments of Physics, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical and Materials Engineering at FIU. Particularly, the laser system will be used to develop surface-sensitive optical 2-dimensional coherent spectroscopy of topological materials; probe and control valley dynamics in layered 2D semiconductors; study plasmonic nanostructure assisted higher harmonic generation; enable infrared multiple photon dissociation spectroscopy with mass spectrometry; and study charge dynamics in single-molecule junctions, redox-modified metal oxides, on-chip energy storage materials, and thin film solar cells. The laser system will enable techniques including optical 2-dimensional coherent spectroscopy, ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy, high harmonic generation, surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy, infrared multiple photon dissociation spectroscopy in the aforementioned research programs. The PI, who has an extensive experience in ultrafast lasers, will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the laser system. All faculty members and students in the related research programs will have direct access to the laser system. The acquired laser system will provide FIU students an unprecedented opportunity to gain valuable research experiences in ultrafast optics and material science. All participating faculty members have strong records of engaging both undergraduate and graduate students in active research, including students from underrepresented minority groups. The PI and other participating faculty members will make conscious efforts to recruit students, provide training and guidance in using the acquired laser system in their research projects. We estimate that the laser system will be extensively used by 10 graduate and 10 undergraduate students per year. The acquired laser system will also be accessible by local middle/high school teachers and students. We plan to develop a program to connect a large number of students by working with science teachers from local schools, in collaboration with the existing Research Experiences for Teachers program at FIU. The program will provide teachers access to the laser system by working with our students on a research project in summer. The teachers will develop learning modules based on the experiences and bring them into their classrooms. During the school year, the teachers will arrange a field trip for their students to visit our laser facility and other research laboratories on campus.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 20, 2018
- Source ID
- W911NF1710497
Entities
People
- Hebin Li
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Florida International University
- Office of the Secretary of Defense