TODAY! Manufacturing Faculty Candidate Seminar: "Developing novel laser processing strategies based on spatial, temporal and spectral control of light-matter interaction" By Xiaoming Yu, 4.25.16/11:00AM-12:00PM/ CREOL RM 103

Manufacturing Faculty Candidate Seminar: "Developing novel laser processing strategies based on spatial, temporal and spectral control of light-matter interaction" By Xiaoming Yu

Monday, April 25, 2016 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
CREOL Room 103

Xiaoming YuPh.D. Candidate
Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering
Kansas State University

Abstract:

Lasers have been widely used as an effective tool in various manufacturing processes, such as drilling, cutting, welding and surface texturing. Compared to traditional manufacturing methods, laser-based materials processing techniques have the ability to treat a wide range of materials, is inherently non-contact, and can eliminate tool wear. However, demanding manufacturing processes emerging from the fields of nano and 3D fabrication require the development of advanced laser processing strategies that can address critical issues such as machining resolution, processing flexibility, and energy efficiency. My research is aimed at developing these capabilities based on fundamental understandings of light-matter interaction, and demonstrating the possibilities and advantages of controlling laser irradiation in spatial, temporal and spectral domains. I first demonstrate the flexibility of applying spatial beam shaping in laser processing of thin film solar cells, with emphasis on the extension of focal range by orders-of-magnitude with the use of Bessel beams. This approach greatly enhances process tolerance to surface unevenness and positioning error. With a two-color femtosecond laser micromachining setup, I show that electron dynamics can be controlled, and nano-scale features can be achieved on dielectrics using only a fraction of pulse energy for the short-wavelength beam. This paves the way for future adoption of short-wavelength laser sources, such as in the extreme ultraviolet range, for direct nano-fabrication with below-threshold pulse energy. These results highlight the great potential of fully-optimized laser systems as a manufacturing tool, and signify a future when this new tool could be used as naturally and efficiently as mechanical tools nowadays, but for more challenging problems.

Biography:

Mr. Xiaoming Yu is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering at Kansas State University. Mr. Yu’s research interests are laser-based materials processing and light-matter interaction. He received M.S. degree in Plasma Physics from Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics in 2012, and B.S. degree in Physics from Nankai University in 2008.

For more information:

Dr. Peter J. Delfyett

Imperx opens new R&D office in Orlando

Imperx, Inc., a Platinum Patron member of the Florida Photonics Cluster, has opened an R&:D office at the University of Central Florida business incubator facility in the Research Park next to the UCF campus.  The office is operated by Lee Kimes, Director of R&D.

TOMORROW! Seminar: “Research Trends in the Quantum Cascade Laser Field” by Dr. Arkadiy Lyakh, 4.22.16/12:00-1:00PM/ CREOL RM 103

Seminar: “Research Trends in the Quantum Cascade Laser Field” by Dr. Arkadiy Lyakh

Friday, April 22, 2016 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
CREOL Room 103

Dr. Arkadiy Lyakh

Abstract:

Band engineering is a very powerful technique for the design of novel semiconductor devices. Individual control of material composition (band gap), thickness, and doping level for each layer in a heterostructure offers unprecedented flexibility in optimizing device characteristics to a particular application. Band engineering will be discussed in the context of Quantum Cascade Lasers, or QCLs. These devices are revolutionizing infrared laser applications in spectroscopy, imaging, directed infrared countermeasures, and other defense and security areas. QCL design principles will be considered, along with their electronic, optical and thermal properties. Current research trends in the field will be covered, including optical power scaling, broadly tunable lasers with ultra-fast scanning rate, and QCL-based frequency combs.

Biography:

Dr. Arkadiy Lyakh is an Assistant Professor at the NanoScience Technology Center at the University of Central Florida with a joint appointment in CREOL. His research interests are physics of intersubband transitions and carrier transport through multilayered semiconductor structures, low dimensional semiconductor devices, including Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCLs), and infrared spectroscopy.

Dr. Lyakh’s prior employment includes Pranalytica, Inc. where he served as Director of High Performance QCLs. At Pranalytica he led numerous government funded programs either as Principal Investigator or overall technical lead. Dr. Lyakh is the inventor of Pranalytica’s proprietary laser design principles that are widely utilized in the development of novel high performance structures. In addition to laser design, he also made key contributions in the areas of laser thermal management, coating, and packaging. Dr. Lyakh led the development and transition to production of the first multiwatt continuous wave QCLs in the MWIR and LWIR spectral regions, setting a number of world records in laser optical power and efficiency. He also led the development of novel broadly tunable devices with an ultra-rapid tuning rate for standoff detection and combustion diagnostics, as well as the first substrate-emitting QCLs and MWIR buried heterostructure QCL tree arrays for very high optical power infrared platforms.

For additional information:

Dr. Bahaa Saleh

TOMORROW! Fiber Optics Candidate Talk: "Multimode Fiber Photonics" By Dr. Rodrigo Amezcua Correa, 4.21.16/11:00AM-12:00PM/ CREOL RM 103

Fiber Optics Candidate Talk: "Multimode Fiber Photonics" By Dr. Rodrigo Amezcua Correa

Thursday, April 21, 2016 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
CREOL Room 103

Dr. Rodrigo Amezcua Correa

Abstract:

With the advent of mode division multiplexing as a means to meet the rapid growing needs of the telecommunication industry, there has been recently a great resurgence of interest in multimode fiber systems and components. The use of multimode fibers in the linear and nonlinear regime is now finding novel applications in many diverse areas, beyond optical communications. In this regard, rapid progress has been made in developing new families of fibers with precisely controlled modal characteristics as well as key components for all-fiber mode multiplexers-thus allowing light to be controlled in ways not previously possible. 

In this talk, I will present my group’s research activities in the field of multimode fiber photonics. These include multimode amplification, transmission, and modal control in advanced optical fibers. These technology platforms provide a rich field for pursuing new scientific advances and for exploring promising new applications. Finally, our recent work on ultra-low loss antiresonant hollow-core optical fibers for broadband high optical power transmission will be presented.

Biography:

Dr. Rodrigo Amezcua received his Doctor of Philosophy in Optoelectronics from the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom, in 2007. Subsequently he joined Prof. Jonathan Knight’s group at the University of Bath as a Postdoctoral Researcher (2007-2009). At Bath, he worked with major European research centers and industrial partners, on the development of novel optical fibers. During the period of (2009-2011), he was with Powerlase Photonics where he was responsible for the development of high-power (200 W to 2 kW) diode pumped solid-state lasers and fiber components for industrial applications in materials processing and microelectronics markets. In addition, he supervised the transition of new products from R&D to manufacturing.

He joined CREOL in February 2011 as Research Assistant Professor. At CREOL he directs the Microstructured Optical Fiber and Devices (MOFD) laboratory. His group is conducting research on new optical fibers and novel optical fiber devices for fundamental research and technology development. His group pursues a number of activities such as fabrication, characterization and theoretical studies of optical fiber structures. His activities have been funded by numerous sources including ARO, AFOSR, AFRL, JTO-HEL, NASA and by industry. He is the author and co-author of >80 journal and conference papers. 

For more information:

Dr. Axel Schülzgen 

Ray Pini has added to his consulting business

Ray Pini, FPC member and member of the FPC Board of Directors, is now Manufacturer Representative for US East Coast at Gooch & Housego