Development of a phase and polarization modulated ultrafast laser source for nonlinear optical imaging and molecular identification

该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。获得化学研究仪器和设备：仪器开发（CRIF:ID）项目的这一奖项后，密歇根州立大学的Marcos Dantus和他的研究小组将开发一种相位和偏振调制的超快激光源，用于广泛的科学应用。所提出的激光器将能够从单个超短脉冲产生多个单独可寻址脉冲。提出的激光源将用于以下几个项目：1)多模态非线性成像显微镜；2)生物和生物医学成像应用；3)爆炸物或病原体的检测和4)喷气涡轮燃烧产物的原位化学分析。该项目将由一组不同的科学家进行，从本科生到教授和研究科学家，经验丰富。这项工作涉及与许多美国工业伙伴以及空军研究实验室的合作。新型光谱学技术开辟了全新的研究途径。获得该奖项的仪器将使科学家能够研究从生物样品到热燃烧气体等各种材料的组成和特性。利用这种工具开发的知识可以改善医疗诊断，改善食品安全，并为先进技术提供更好的材料。此外，与Dantus教授合作的研究人员将获得高科技开发方面的宝贵培训，这是当今劳动力的重要技能。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).With this award from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities: Instrument Development (CRIF:ID) program, Marcos Dantus and his research group from Michigan State University will develop a phase and polarization modulated ultrafast laser source for a broad range of scientific applications. The proposed laser will be capable of generating multiple individually addressable pulses from a single ultrashort pulse. The proposed laser source will be used in a number of projects: 1) a multimodal non-linear imaging microscope; 2) biological and biomedical imaging applications; 3) detection of explosives or pathogens and 4) in-situ chemical analysis of the combustion products in jet turbines. The project will be carried out by a diverse group of scientists, ranging in experience from undergraduate students to professors and research scientists. The work involves collaboration with a number of American industrial partners, as well as with the Air Force Research Laboratory.New kinds of spectroscopy techniques open up brand new avenues of research. The instrument developed with this award will allow scientists to study the composition and properties of a broad range of materials -- from biological samples to hot combustion gases. Knowledge developed with this kind of tool can lead to: improved medical diagnostics, improved food safety, and better materials for advanced technologies. In addition, the researchers working with Prof. Dantus will receive invaluable training in high technology development, an important skill in today's workforce.