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Theme 5.4: Enabling Novel Lightwave Capabilities
The overall goal of Theme 5.4 is to explore the potential of using nanostructured materials to enable, for the first time, observable optical nonlinear response at very low power levels. Inducing an optical nonlinear response in a material system leads to a very powerful physical tool: without this response, it is impossible to have one light signal influence another. For example, optical nonlinearites are the only way to implement all-optical signal processing, and hence eventual all-optical quantum information processing and quantum encryption. Moreover, when light interacts with light, drastically new frequencies can be created. This enables access to frequency regimes that are very difficult to reach with existing laser sources. Having coherent transportable sources at many different wavelengths would supply the Soldier with an unprecedented tool for remote sensing of the environment. Finally, strongly nonlinear optical materials could be used to protect the eyes of the dismounted Soldier against harmful-intensity radiation-weapons. Unfortunately, in naturally occurring materials, optical nonlinearities are extremely weak. This means that in order to explore or even observe these nonlinearities, one has to use very high power sources; such systems are typically bulky, expensive, and completely impractical to transport or operate, especially in battle conditions. Therefore, the use of optical nonlinearities for Soldier-related applications has, thus far, been very limited. The current theme is focused on exploring the possibility that the nanostructuring of materials, at length scales smaller than the wavelength of light of interest, could dramatically enhance optical nonlinearites, so they could be used at much lower power levels. A successful outcome of this prospect would be an enabling platform for exploration of optical nonlinearities for a wide range of important Soldier-related applications.
Project 5.4.1: Nanophotonics for the Enhancement of Optical
Nonlinear Functionalities
Theme 5.4 Researchers
Prof. Yoel Fink, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Prof. John D. Joannopoulos,
Department of Physics
Prof. Marin Soljacic,
Department of Physics
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