The Study of Quantum Confinement Effects for Optical Beam Modulation

该奖项资助东北大学与 大学和洛厄尔大学，并专注于光谱 Physics环形染料激光器（主动稳定型380D），由 东北，但目前安装在研究光学 洛厄尔大学的实验室。 它是由一个新的 Lexel 5W氩离子激光器由洛厄尔大学提供。 这种可调谐激光源为研究 光束调制的量子限制效应。 的 本研究的目的是围绕调查 粒子分布，非线性折射率， 响应时间的估计和波束振幅噪声。 的 主要活动将是研究特定类型的非 线性光学介质可以表现出大的光学非线性， 响应时间短的线性。 强非线性 材料允许相对弱的光场用于 写入结构，其可以对光束进行调制或调制。 最终设想的光学装置将由一个阵列组成， 量子点的集合或簇。 初始阶段 这个计划，材料，如胶体悬浮液， (40埃）金颗粒，是现成的，并将 用来研究量子限制效应 将建立一个关于下列物质光学性质的数据库： 该粒子悬浮作为入射功率的函数， 响应时间和体光学非线性 介质作为颗粒浓度的函数，其中 如果可能，将测量颗粒尺寸。 主要研究者有资格进行这项工作 建议提供一年25，000美元的研究补助金。

This award funds a collaboration between Northeastern University and the University of Lowell and focuses on a Spectra Physics Ring Dye Laser (actively stabilized model 380D) owned by Northeastern but currently installed in the research optics laboratory at the University of Lowell. It is pumped by a new Lexel 5W Argon ion laser provided by the University of Lowell. This tunable laser source provides a key probe in the study of the quantum confinement effects for optical beam modulation. The objectives of the research are centered around the investigations of particle distribution, nonlinear refractive indices, estimation of response times, and beam amplitude noise. The primary activity will be the study of a specific type of non- linear optical medium that can exhibit large optical non- linearities with short response times. A strongly non-linear material allows relatively weak optical fields to be used for writing structures that can diffract or modulate optical beams. The optical device envisioned ultimately will consist of an array of sets or clusters of 'quantum dots'. In the initial stages of this program, materials such as colloidal suspensions of (40 Angstrom) gold particles, are readily available and will be used to study quantum confinement effects. A data base will be developed on the optical properties of this particle suspension as a function of incident power and wavelength; response times and the bulk optical nonlinearity of the medium as a function of particle concentration, and where possible, particle size will be measured. The principal investigators are qualified to conduct this research and a grant of $25,000 for one year is recommended.