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

该项目旨在开发具有定制功能的新一代先进微晶玻璃，用于红外光学的一系列应用。各种晶核剂可以添加到硫系玻璃基质中，以生成纳米晶体，并生成具有新的独特性能的材料。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性质，用于红外传感的纳米孔结构，用于高灵敏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是提供适当性能的关键，因此将使用调制差示热法来研究成核和生长的基本机制。此外，还将研究光诱导成核现象，以产生局域结晶和产生热不可及的图案化结构。最后，从平均配位数的角度对快速冷却硫系玻璃光纤的机械电阻损失与老化之间的关系进行了评估，以提高光纤在光学传感器中的电阻。此外，还将研究用于加工高性能光纤传感器的光致流动性现象。该计划将把亚利桑那大学和法国雷恩大学的两个具有互补技能的研究小组聚集在一起，以加强合作研究。该计划将寻求吸引代表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。学生将通过在两所大学完成部分课程作业和研究，并获得两所大学认可的联合博士学位，从该项目中受益尤其大。光学材料是一个快速发展的领域，它对光通信、光传感器、激光制导武器等新技术的发展具有重大影响。特别是，该项目开发的红外光学器件在先进的危险生物化学物质检测、改善电信网络中的信号传输和开发激光防御系统的稳定光学器件方面具有独特的潜力。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对社区产生影响。此外，该项目将允许将来自代表性不足群体的学生吸引到材料科学领域，并在当今全球经济和科学界变得至关重要的国际背景下培训他们从事尖端科学。

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.