NSF-Europe Materials Collaboration: Synthesis, Characterization and Physical Properties of IR Glass-Ceramics with New Functionalities

该项目旨在开发新一代具有定制功能的先进玻璃陶瓷，用于红外光学的一系列应用。各种成核剂可以添加到硫属化物玻璃基质中以产生纳米晶体并产生具有新的和独特的性质的材料。这导致了广泛的潜在应用，包括用于二次谐波产生的非线性特性、用于红外传感的纳米多孔结构、用于高灵敏度光学系统的近零热色散以及用于高效发光的稀土掺杂。精细控制玻璃基质中纳米晶体的形态和数量对于提供适当的性能至关重要，因此将使用调制差示量热法研究成核和生长的基本机制。此外，光致成核的现象将被调查，以产生本地化的结晶和产生图案化的结构不能访问热。最后，在快速冷却的硫系玻璃纤维中的机械电阻损失和老化之间的相关性将被评估在平均配位数方面，以改善用于光学传感器的光纤的电阻。此外，还将研究光致流动现象，以加工高性能的光纤传感器。该计划将汇集两个具有互补技能的研究小组，以加强亚利桑那大学和法国雷恩大学的合作研究。该计划将寻求吸引代表性不足的群体进入玻璃科学领域，并教育他们掌握一系列尖端技术。学生将特别受益于该计划通过执行课程工作和研究部分在两个机构和赚取联合博士学位。两个机构都认可的学位。光学材料是一个快速发展的领域，对实现光通信、光传感器、激光制导武器等新技术具有重大影响。特别是，该项目开发的红外光学器件具有独特的潜力，可用于先进的危险生物化学品检测，改善电信网络中的信号传输，并为激光防御系统开发稳定的光学器件。因此，这项研究将在国土安全，信息技术和智能武器设计领域产生影响。此外，该计划将吸引来自代表性不足的群体的学生进入材料科学领域，并在当今全球经济和科学世界中变得至关重要的国际背景下培养他们的尖端科学。

This project aims at developing a new generation of advanced glass ceramics with tailored functionalities for a range of application in infrared optics. Various nucleating agents can be added to a chalcogenide glass matrix to produce nano-crystal and generate materials with new and unique properties. This results in a wide range of potential applications including, non-linear properties for second harmonic generation, nanoporous structures for infrared sensing, near-zero thermal dispersion for highly sensitive optical systems and rare earth doping for high efficiency luminescence. A fine control of the morphology and number of nano-crystals in the glass matrix is crucial to deliver the appropriate properties hence the fundamental mechanism of nucleation and growth will be investigated using modulated differential calorimetry. Additionally, the phenomenon of photoinduced nucleation will be investigated in order to generate localized crystallization and produce patterned structures not accessible thermally. Finally, the correlation between loss of mechanical resistance and aging in rapidly cooled chalcogenide glass fiber will be evaluated in terms of average coordination number, in order to improve the resistance of fibers used in optical sensors. Additionally the phenomenon of photoinduced fluidity will be investigated for processing high performance fiber sensors. This program will bring together two research groups with complementary skills to enhance collaborative research at the University of Arizona and University of Rennes, France. The program will seek to attract under-represented groups to the field of glass science and educate them to a range of cutting edge techniques. Students will particularly benefit from the program by performing course work and research partly at both institutions and earning a joint Ph.D. degree recognized at both institutions. Optical materials is a fast developing field that has a large impact on enabling new technologies such as optical communications, optical sensors, laser guided weapons etc... In particular, the infrared optics developed in this project have unique potentials for advanced detection of hazardous bio-chemicals, for improving signal transmission in telecom networks and developing stable optics for laser defense systems. This research will therefore impact the community in the field of homeland security, information technology and smart weapons design. Additionally, this program will allow to attract students from under-represented groups to the field of material science and to train them to cutting-edge science in an international context that is becoming crucial in today's global economy and scientific world.