Abstract:
Optical frequency combs produced in the visible spectral
range by ultrafast mode-locked lasers have revolutionized precision
spectroscopy and time metrology, culminating in the 2005 Nobel Prize in
Physics. I will present a new technique for extending frequency combs to the
highly desirable yet difficult-to-achieve mid-infrared range - the region of
fundamental molecular vibrational-rotational resonances (fingerprints). The
technique is based on subharmonic optical parametric oscillation (OPO) that can
be considered as a reverse of second harmonic generation. Using ultrafast
erbium or thulium fiber lasers as a pump, we produce frequency combs that are
approximately octave wide and centered around 3 µm or 4 µm in wavelength. I
will talk about coherent properties of the generated mid-IR combs, as well as
their applications for trace molecular detection.
Biography:
Konstantin L. Vodopyanov obtained his MS degree from Moscow
Institute of Physics and Technology ("Phys-Tech") and accomplished
his PhD and DSc (Habilitation) in the Oscillations Lab. of Lebedev Physical Institute
(later General Physics Inst.), led by Nobel Prize winner Alexander Prokhorov.
He was an assistant professor at Moscow Phys-Tech (1985-90),
Alexander-von-Humboldt Fellow at the University of Bayreuth, Germany (1990-92),
and a Royal Society postdoctoral fellow and lecturer at Imperial College,
London, UK (1992-98). In 1998, he moved to the United States and became head of
the laser group at Inrad, Inc., NJ (1998-2000), and later director of mid-IR
systems at Picarro, Inc.,CA (2000-2003). His other industry experience includes
co-founding and providing technical guidance for several US and European
companies. In 2003 he returned to Academia (Stanford University, 2003-2013) and
is now a 21st Century Scholar Chair & Professor of Optics at CREOL, College
of Optics & Photonics, Univ. Central Florida. Dr. Vodopyanov is a Fellow of
the American Physical Society (APS), Optical Society of America (OSA), SPIE -
International Society for Optical Engineering, UK Institute of Physics (IOP),
and a Senior Member of IEEE. He has > 325 technical publications and is
member of program committees for several major laser conferences including CLEO
(most recent, General Chair in 2010) and Photonics West (Conference Chair). His
research interests include nonlinear optics, laser spectroscopy, mid-IR and
terahertz-wave generation, ultra broadband frequency combs and their biomedical
applications.
For additional information:
Konstantin Vodopyanov
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