Engineering Research Equipment Grant: RF Signal Generation and Analysis Instrumentation (for Coherent Sensor Research) REU Supplement

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This proposal requests funds to purchase state-of-the-art instrumentation to permit advanced research to be carried out on high- frequency, coherent free-space and fiber sensors for a range of ultra- sensitive applications. In particular, instrumentation is being requested to provide accurate DC to microwave frequency generation and analysis capability. This instrumentation will replace antiquated instrumentation currently in use in experiments using homodyne and heterodyne sensors in the following applications: 1) photothermal spectroscopy and related photothermal studies; 2) studies of lateral turbulence correlations in the atmosphere; 3) studies of local, short-path turbulence; 4) detection of trace organic molecules in the atmosphere; 5) studies of the ultrasonic properties of liquids up to 2GHz; 6) studies of the non-linear magnetooptical properties of materials; 7) development of new heterodyne fiber sensors with novel polarization and demodulation techniques using balance mixers. These sensors are being developed for local probing of electrooptic and magnetooptic activity. The specific equipment being requested comprises: HP: Model 8662A Signal Gen.: Model 8644 Signal Gen.: Model 8562 Spectrum Analyzer: Model 3162 Dynamic Signal Analyzer.