CAREER: Two-Photon Pumped Lasing Using Semiconductor Nanostructures by Design

“这项奖励是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。”本研究的最终目标是为基于工程半导体纳米结构的新一代双光子泵浦激光器的开发和应用奠定坚实的基础，其中纳米晶体量子点、纳米棒、纳米线和磁盘中的强电子和/或光学限制将影响非线性相干上转换过程，从而大大提高激光性能。知识优势：该研究项目旨在开发基于半导体纳米结构的新一代双光子泵浦激光器件，利用纳米晶体量子点、纳米棒/线和纳米盘中的强电子和/或光学限制将影响非线性相干上转换过程，从而大大增强激光性能。重点研究方向为：(1)了解纳米半导体材料中双光子吸收诱导受激发射的机理；(2)研究双光子激光动力学（增益、模式、光谱和空间分布、阈值行为、上转换效率等）及其与纳米半导体点/棒/线/盘结构参数的关系；(3)通过定制纳米结构设计和加工中使用的多变量来提高上转换效率并优化激光性能；(4)确定纳米结构双光子激光器在生物分子检测、光流体激光和光存储方面的关键应用。更广泛的影响：这项研究的成功实施将给双光子泵浦激光器的设计和操作带来根本性的变化，并扩展其在波长上转换、片上UV激光器、生物/医学传感和诊断以及光存储方面的应用。该研究还将建立在低维半导体非线性光学过程和受激发射的基础上。建议的工作将通过参与实验实验室工作，为本科生和研究生提供集中的研究和学习经验，并帮助他们将纳米技术的基础科学与现实世界的应用联系起来。此外，PI将与宾夕法尼亚州立大学的纳米技术教育和利用中心合作，并为宾夕法尼亚纳米技术的全州教育和劳动力发展计划做出贡献。

"This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5)."The ultimate goal of this research is to lay a solid foundation for the development and application of a new generation of two-photon pumped lasers based on engineered semiconductor nanostructures, whereby the strong electronic and/or optical confinements in nanocrystal quantum dots, nano-rods, wires, and disks will impact the nonlinear coherent upconversion process for greatly enhanced lasing performance.Intellectual Merit:The research project is targeted at developing a new generation of two-photon pumped laser devices based on semiconductor nanostructures, whereby the strong electronic and/or optical confinements in nanocrystal quantum dots, nano-rods/wires, and nanodisks will impact the nonlinear coherent upconversion process for greatly enhanced lasing performance. Particular efforts will be made to (1) understand the mechanism of two-photon absorption-induced stimulated emission in nanoscale semiconductor materials, (2) study the two-photon lasing dynamics (gain, mode, spectral and spatial distribution, threshold behavior, upconversion efficiency, etc) and their relation to the structural parameters of nanoscale semiconductor dots/rods/wires/disks, (3) enhance the upconversion efficiency and optimize the lasing performance by tailoring the multiple variables used in nanostructure design and processing, and (4) identify the key applications of nanostructured two-photon lasers in biomolecular detection, optofluidic lasing, and optical storage.Broader Impacts:Successful implementation of the proposed study will bring fundamental changes to the design and operation of two-photon pumped lasers and expand their applications in wavelength upconversion, on-chip UV lasers, bio/medical sensing and diagnostics, and optical storage. The study will also build on a foundation of nonlinear optical processes and stimulated emission in low-dimension semiconductors. The proposed work will provide focused research and learning experience to undergraduate and graduate students by involvement in experimental laboratory work, and help them to bridge the fundamental nanoscience with the real-world applications of nanotechnology. In addition, The PI will work with the Penn State's Center for Nanotechnology Education and Utilization and contribute to the state-wide education and workforce development program on nanotechnology in Pennsylvania.