New Generation Rare Earth Doped Low Phonon Crystals for Mid-IR Laser Applications
Abstract
Overview: Growing high quality mid-infrared laser crystals requires very high quality starting raw materials that are free of impurities as well as oxides and oxyhalides. Raw materials from chemical vendors are not pure enough to be used directly. Material processing (i.e., purification, material engineering, choosing the right dopant and controlling doping concentration), high quality crystal growth, crystal processing (including cutting and polishing), and optical analysis require good expertise in this field. At Fisk University we are well prepared with years of experience and appropriate equipment for this project. The purity of materials will be assessed using Differential Scanning Calorimetry, micro-Raman and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopies. The initial list of potential crystals will include A2BX5 where (A = K, Rb, and Cs, B = Y, Pb, Lu, and La and X = Cl, Br, and I or mixed halides), as well as Cs2HfX6 (where X= Cl, Br, and I or mixed halides) doped with Holmium (Ho), Neodymium(Nd) , Praseodymium (Pr), Dysprosium (Dy) and Thulium (Tm). These are materials that have important properties (such as low phonon energies) and show a lot of potential for scientific breakthroughs but have not received enough attention in the past. In particular, the class of Cs2HfX6 materials have the cubic structure and are non-hygroscopic, both being pre-requisites for obtaining high-quality, large-scale crystal growth of mid-infrared laser media. Intellectual Merit: The main thrust of this proposal is an experimental effort to improve purification, growth, and crystal quality to produce high quality and high performing rare earth doped low phonon crystals for mid-IR laser applications. It could potentially pioneer the development and wide-spread deployment of these novel compounds for defense applications. Broader Impact: The scientific impact of the project will inform other areas in optoelectronic technology where similar materials are being actively investigated. Apart from scientific outcomes, the blend of disciplines in this project (materials processing, characterization, computation, device configuration and testing) will create a conducive environment to recruit diverse students interested in STEM disciplines. It is critical to developing future human capital for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) science and engineering professions with an emphasis on underserved regions underrepresented communities. The faculty and staff members at Fisk University have a history of impacting their fields through dissemination as well as training students leading to successful careers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 24, 2023
- Source ID
- W911NF2310220
Entities
People
- Rastgo Hawrami
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Fisk University
- Office of the Secretary of Defense