RUI: Investigation of Spectroscopic and Laser Properties of Rare Earth Ions in Crystalline Laser Hosts Using High Resolution Spectroscopic Techniques

9303448关于这笔赠款的萨达尔研究旨在利用激光光谱学技术研究掺杂在晶体主体材料中的稀土离子的光学性质。本文将对两种重要的Nd3+基单晶：YVO4：Nd3+(1%)和CaMgZnY2Ge3012：Nd3+(2%)进行初步研究。有一些关于第一种材料的研究，但没有关于第二种材料的研究。在项目的最后阶段，将研究一种更复杂的三掺杂材料：YAG：Cr3+(1%)，Tm3+(5%)，Ho3+(1%)。将对这些材料进行全面和系统的光谱研究，将它们的光学和激光性能与现有的激光材料进行比较，并评估这些材料作为激光的潜力。测量将包括不同温度下的吸收光谱、发射光谱、激发光谱和荧光寿命。这些材料近年来受到了极大的关注，因为它们的发射波长在2微米范围内，这被证明是非常有吸引力的一些医疗应用，因为在这个波长上有很强的水吸收。在Ho3+中的2.1um 5I7-5I8激光跃迁是很有吸引力的，因为它的上能级寿命长，约为5ms，允许比Nd：YAG更大的能量存储，并且它的眼睛安全的波长。研究这种晶体中从Cr3+到Tm3+最后到Ho3+的能量转移的重要机制将为参与该项目的本科生提供极好的教育经验；这项资助是NSF在本科生机构研究(RUI)活动的一部分。这项拟议的工作属于光子学领域当前的科学兴趣领域，具有技术相关性，并具有极好的潜力，为参与的本科生提供一个有益的教育机会，他们将接触到现代光谱设备、技术和理论。***

9303448 Sardar Research on this grant aims to investigate the optical properties of rare earth ions doped in crystalline host materials using the techniques of laser spectroscopy. Two important neodymium-based single crystals: YVO4:Nd3+ (1 %) and CaMgZnY2Ge3012:Nd3+ (2%) will be studied initially. There have been some studies on the first material, but none on the second. In the final phase of the project, a more complex, triply-doped material: YAG: Cr3+ (1%), Tm3+ (5%), Ho3+ (1%) will be investigated. A complete and systematic spectroscopic investigation of these materials will be performed, their optical and laser properties will be compared with those of existing laser materials, and the potential of these materials as lasers will be evaluated. The measurements will include absorption, emission, and excitation spectra and fluorescence lifetimes at different temperatures. %%% These materials have received much attention in recent years since their emission wavelength falls in the 2um range, which has proven to be very attractive for a number of medical applications because of the strong water absorption at this wavelength. The 2.1um 5I7 - 5I8 laser transition in Ho3+ is attractive because of its long upper laser level lifetime, of the order of 5 ms, permitting larger energy storage than Nd:YAG, and its eye-safe wavelength. Study of the important mechanism of energy transfer from Cr3+ to Tm3+ and finally to Ho3+ in this crystal will provide an excellent educational experience for undergraduates involved in the project; this grant is part of NSF's Research in Undergraduate Institutions(RUI) activity. The proposed work is in an area of current scientific interest in the field of photonics, is technologically relevant, and has excellent potential to provide a rewarding educational opportunity for the participating undergraduates who will be exposed to modern spectroscopic equipment, techniques, and theories. ***