Engineering Research Equipment - Submillimeter Laser System

毫米波频率的新实验 显示出重要的非线性效应， 开发材料。 在每种情况下， 相对来说， 材料和功率密度。 在较短 这些非线性效应变成 更大更易于研究 一 我们更新颖的实验涉及阶段 变位是一个重要而有用的研究领域 在可见光波长，这是以前没有实现的， 在更长的波长上。 使用人造克尔 我们能够证明四种波 波导中的混频和相位共轭。 使用 更高的频率将允许关键的扩展 这个概念的自由空间。 另一组 实验使用高温超导体 薄膜，以制造独特的，可调谐的准光学滤波器。 我们正在研究的属性，包括 成对超导电子的浓度， 会对激光场更加敏感 在亚毫米波频率下观察到的。 这 NSF工程研究设备补助金将 因此，可以用来购买光泵 产生连续波的分子气体激光系统 亚毫米波和远红外辐射。 在 除了开放一系列新的 非线性效应和超导实验 结构，这项工作将有重要的应用 在遥感和通讯方面。

New experiments at millimeter wave frequencies have shown important nonlinear effects using specially developed materials. In each case the observations have been relatively difficult with the available materials and power densities. At shorter wavelengths these nonlinear effects become significantly larger and more amenable to study. One of our more novel experiments involves phase conjugation, an important and useful area of research at visible wavelengths, which had not been achieved at longer wavelengths. Using an artificial Kerr medium we were able to demonstrate four wave mixing and phase conjugation in waveguides. The use of higher frequencies will permit the crucial extension of this concept to free space. Another set of experiments uses high temperature superconductor films to make unique, tunable quasi-optical filters. The properties we are studying, involving concentrations of paired superconducting electrons, will be much more sensitive to applied laser fields when observed at the submillimeter frequencies. This NSF Engineering Research Equipment Grant will therefore be used to purchase an optically pumped molecular gas laser system which will generate CW Submillimeter and Far Infrared radiation. In addition to opening up an entire range of new experiments in nonlinear effects and superconducting structures, this work will have important applications in remote sensing and communications.