MRI: Acquisition of Spectroscopic and Computational Instruments for Undergraduate Education and Research in Nonlinear Optical Materials

对非线性光学材料性质的研究和关于它们的教育的需求从未像现在这样强烈。这些材料的性质，如吸收系数和折射率，取决于入射到它们上面的光的强度。这些材料的应用，如传感器保护和全光开关，对电信和光学成像系统非常重要。非线性光学材料的许多实际应用使得对其物理和化学的早期介绍对于今天的学生在这一领域的准备变得更加迫切。这项建议由两个互补的部分组成：实验和计算。本工作的实验部分研究了非线性毛细管波导和二维毛细管阵列的光学性质。这些系统可能与光纤设备兼容，这使得该项目特别相关。波导和波导阵是由填充了非线性光学材料的小玻璃毛细管构成的。该提案的计算部分将有助于从根本上理解在设计这些系统时所考虑的非线性材料的电子结构和性质。这项提议代表了太平洋大学正在进行的一项跨学科、协作的努力。太平洋学院是一所小型的文理学院，以其学生的教育而自豪。本科生群体由25%的第一代大学生、62%的女性和近20%的政府承认的代表性不足的群体组成，这些学生中的大多数是太平洋岛民。这项调查将为这些学生提供一个模型，让他们了解科学学科之间的合作如何促进我们对自然的基本理解。对非线性光学材料性质的研究和关于它们的教育的需求从未像现在这样强烈。这些材料吸收的光的百分比和通过它们的光的速度通常取决于入射到它们上面的光的强度。这些材料作为传感器保护器和光学开关的应用使它们在电信和光学成像系统领域具有重要意义。非线性光学材料的许多实际应用使得对其物理和化学的早期介绍对于今天的学生在这一领域的准备变得更加迫切。这项建议由两个互补的部分组成：实验和计算。本工作的实验部分研究了非线性毛细管波导和二维毛细管阵列的光学性质。这些系统可能与光纤设备兼容，这使得该项目特别相关。波导和波导阵是由填充了非线性光学材料的小玻璃毛细管构成的。该提案的计算部分将有助于从根本上理解在设计这些系统时所考虑的非线性材料的电子结构和性质。这项提议代表了太平洋大学正在进行的一项跨学科、协作的努力。太平洋学院是一所小型的文理学院，以其学生的教育而自豪。本科生群体由25%的第一代大学生、62%的女性和近20%的政府承认的代表性不足的群体组成，这些学生中的大多数是太平洋岛民。这项调查将为这些学生提供一个模型，让他们了解科学学科之间的合作如何促进我们对自然的基本理解。

The need for research into the properties of nonlinear optical materials and education about them has never been greater. These materials have properties, such as absorption coefficient and index of refraction that depend upon the intensity of the light incident upon them. Applications of these materials, such as sensor protection and all-optical switching, are important for telecommunications and optical imaging systems. The many practical uses of nonlinear optical materials make an early introduction to their physics and chemistry all the more imperative to prepare today's students in this field.This proposal consists of two complementary parts: experimental and computational. The experimental part of this work investigates the optical properties of nonlinear capillary waveguides and two-dimensional capillary waveguide arrays. These systems are potentially compatible with fiber optic devices, making this project particularly relevant. The waveguides and waveguide arrays are constructed from small, glass capillaries filled with nonlinear optical materials. The computational component of the proposal will contribute to a fundamental understanding of the electronic structure and properties of the nonlinear materials that are being considered in the design of these systems. This proposal represents an interdisciplinary, collaborative effort that is being undertaken at Pacific University. Pacific is a small, liberal arts institution that prides itself on the education of its students. The undergraduate student population is composed of 25% "first-generation" college students, 62% women, and nearly 20% from governmentally-recognized underrepresented groups, the majority of these students being Pacific Islanders. This investigation will serve as a model for these students of how collaborations between science disciplines can advance our fundamental understanding of nature. The need for research into the properties of nonlinear optical materials and education about them has never been greater. The percentage of light absorbed by these materials and the speed of light through them often depends upon the intensity of the light incident upon them. These materials have applications as sensor protectors and optical switches that make them important in the areas of telecommunications and optical imaging systems. The many practical uses of nonlinear optical materials make an early introduction to their physics and chemistry all the more imperative to prepare today's students in this field.This proposal consists of two complementary parts: experimental and computational. The experimental part of this work investigates the optical properties of nonlinear capillary waveguides and two-dimensional capillary waveguide arrays. These systems are potentially compatible with fiber optic devices, making this project particularly relevant. The waveguides and waveguide arrays are constructed from small, glass capillaries filled with nonlinear optical materials. The computational component of the proposal will contribute to a fundamental understanding of the electronic structure and properties of the nonlinear materials that are being considered in the design of these systems. This proposal represents an interdisciplinary, collaborative effort that is being undertaken at Pacific University. Pacific is a small, liberal arts institution that prides itself on the education of its students. The undergraduate student population is composed of 25% "first-generation" college students, 62% women, and nearly 20% from governmentally-recognized underrepresented groups, the majority of these students being Pacific Islanders. This investigation will serve as a model for these students of how collaborations between science disciplines can advance our fundamental understanding of nature.