| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/F067690/1 |
| Title: |
Repairs to a femtosecond laser system essential for nonlinear optical studies |
| Principal Investigator: |
Kar, Professor AK |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Sch of Engineering and Physical Science |
| Organisation: |
Heriot-Watt University |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research |
| Starts: |
06 August 2008 |
Ends: |
05 August 2011 |
Value (£): |
88,847
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Optoelect. Devices & Circuits |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Much of the research of the Nonlinear Optics Group at Heriot-Watt University is based around a single femtosecond laser system. This laser system consists of a regenerative amplifier that is seeded by a mode-locked femtosecond and pumped by a Q-switched nanosecond laser (Merlin). The output of this amplifier is used to pump an optical parametric amplifier that, via several nonlinear conversion processes, provides access to femtosecond radiation from 400-3200 nm. The Merlin pump laser is an intra-cavity doubled Nd: YLF proving up to 10W of output average power at 527 nm. This laser was installed in 1998 (GR/L62542), is flash lamp pumped and is now an obsolete model. It is this pump laser that is now in need of replacement. In addition, the regenerative amplifier is very unstable and requires replacement of optical components e.g. Pockel's cell and compressor grating that have both become lossy over the past 9 years due to the deterioration of these two key optical components. The successful completion of two EPSRC funded grants and a further three projects involving DTA PhD students are dependent on the continued operation of this laser system. Two postdoctoral research associates regularly use this system as well as various visiting researchers. Our request is for funds to enable us to repair the laser system and return it to optimum specifications. The research described in this proposal will result in the development of compact lasers which are essential for sensing and medical applications as well as the fundamental understanding of the new semiconductor devices which underpin modern photonics for telecom, displays and signal processing.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.hw.ac.uk |