Center for Ultrafast Optical Science

科学技术中心将开发激光器和技术，以产生超快光脉冲，用于探测各种科学学科的基础过程。该中心将有3个主要研究方向：(1)超短（飞秒）、超高峰值功率光脉冲的产生、放大、处理和测量；(2)随后将这些脉冲应用于原子、分子、等离子体和凝聚态物理等学科的研究；(3)光子学和电子学的进步。将研究各种新的激光技术，以在整个光谱范围内产生更短、更高峰值功率的脉冲。超短光脉冲将用于超快现象和超高场物理的时域研究。超快电子过程将在量子受限半导体、高温超导体和表面物理中进行研究。超短光脉冲将产生皮秒电子爆发，在皮秒时间尺度上研究表面物理中的结构事件。光子学项目将包括产生、调制和探测频率接近1太赫兹的光。此外，对导波的传播和非线性效应的研究可能为集成光学器件的发展指明方向。这项研究有望在许多不同领域为科学做出贡献，并对技术做出贡献——高速数据传输、光学计算和高速摄影。该中心将促进加强大学前教育和人力资源开发方面的活动。

The Science & Technology Center will develop lasers and techniques to generate ultrafast optical pulses for probing fundamental processes in various scientific disciplines. The Center will have 3 main research thrusts: (1) Generation, amplification, manipulation, and measurement of ultrashort (femtosecond), ultrahigh peak power optical pulses; (2) Subsequent application of these pulses to research in disciplines such as atomic, molecular, plasma, and condensed matter physics; and (3) Advancements in photonics and electronics. A variety of new laser techniques will be investigated to produce even shorter, higher peak power pulses across the entire optical spectrum. Ultrashort optical pulses will be used in time-domain studies of ultrafast phenomena and ultrahigh field physics. Ultrafast electronic processes will be studied in quantum- confined semiconductors, high-temperature superconductors, and surface physics. Ultrashort optical pulses will generate picosecond electron bursts to study structural events in surface physics on the picosecond time scale. The photonics program will include generation, modulation, and detection of light at frequencies approaching one terahertz. In addition, the study of propagation and nonlinear effects in guided waves may lead the way to advancing integrated-optic devices. The research has the promise of making contributions to science in many different areas as well as contributions to technology--high-speed data transmission, optical computing, and high-speed photography. This Center will stimulate enhanced activity in precollege education and in the development of human resources.