Propagation of Light in Photonic Band Structure Materials

9974353沃森光子带结构的影响，在周期性的介质阵列将研究光谱，干涉，光散射测量在可见光和近红外。 从微球介电颗粒制造的胶体晶体的工作将继续与重点更充分地了解他们的缺陷状态。 该项目的主要新举措将是开发光聚合方法，用于制造适用于研究线性和非线性光学效应以及可能的器件应用的光子带隙结构。 这种方法将采用光学显微镜与激光激发相结合，并应提供优于通过其他手段制造所需光子结构的优势。光子带隙晶体属于一类新型材料，其中电磁波的传播在一定频率范围内是禁止的。 这种材料的现成可用性将开辟许多设备应用的可能性，特别是在光学领域。 这些包括与量子光学和光的限制和控制相关的设备，如激光器，LED和微腔。 该项目本质上是基础性的，但有可能对光子器件产生实际影响，在现代技术中广泛应用。 参加该项目的学生将获得光学物理学和激光光谱学以及凝聚态物理学方面的强大背景，这些背景在工业和国家实验室中具有很高的需求。

9974353WatsonPhotonic band structure effects in periodic dielectric arrays will be investigated by spectroscopic, interferometric, and light scattering measurements in the visible and near infrared. Work on colloidal crystals fabricated from microsphere dielectric particles will be continued with an emphasis on more fully understanding their defect states. The primary new initiative in this project will be development of photopolymeric approaches for fabrication of photonic band gap structures suitable for study of linear and nonlinear optical effects and possible device applications. This approach will employ optical microscopy in combination with laser excitation and should provide advantages over fabrication of desired photonic structures by other means.%%%Photonic band gap crystals belong to a new class of materials in which propagation of electromagnetic waves is forbidden over a certain range of frequencies. Ready availability of such materials would open up the possibility of many device applications, especially in the optical regime. These include devices associated with quantum optics and the confinement and control of light such as lasers, LEDs, and microcavities. This project is fundamental in nature but has the potential to have practical impact on photonic devices, widespread in application in modern technology. Students participating in this project will gain strong backgrounds in optical physics and laser spectroscopy as well as condensed matter physics, in high demand in industrial and national laboratories.***