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IR Fibers and Transparent Ceramics Seminar
Friday, October 09, 2009 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM CREOL 102
IR Fibers and Transparent Ceramics
Ishwar D. Aggarwal and Jas S. Sanghera
ABSTRACT:
Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) is developing chalcogenide glass fibers for applications in the IR wavelength regions from 1-12 µm. Both conventional solid core/clad and microstruc tured fibers have been developed. Chalcogenide glass compositions have been developed which allow rare earth doping to enable rare earth doped fiber sources and potentially lasers in the IR. Also, highly nonlinear compositions have also been developed with nonlinearities ~1000x silica which enables nonlinear wavelength conversion from the near IR to the mid and long wave IR.
Transparent ceramics have great potential for many optical system s due to their excellent mechanical properties compared with traditional glass materials. Two exemplary materials are magnesium aluminate spinel (MgAl2O4) and Yb:Y2O3. We have developed technology to overcome varieties of issues and made state of the art, high quality transparent ceramics. For example, we demonstrate a record low absorption coefficient of 6 ppm/cm at 1.06 µm for spinel which makes it an excellent exit aperture for high energy lasers. Similarly, we have prepared high purity Yb:Y2O3 powder and used the hot press process to make transparent ceramic and then demonstrated lasing with a slope efficiency of 45% at 1077 nm. As far as the authors are aware this represents the only demonstration of lasing from hot pressed ceramic Yb:Y2O3. In addition, we report lasing in hot pressed composites made with 5 layers containing different concentrations of Yb3+ ions
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Aggarwal has worked in developing Fiber-Optics Technology for over 35 years and has extensive experience in all types of optical fibers and optical fiber manufacturing processes. Dr. Aggarwal has been in the Optical Sciences Division at the US Naval Research Laboratory for over 20 years. He is head of Optical Materials and Device Branch and is responsible for directing research in specialty fiber optics, infrared glasses, IR fiber lasers, solar cells, transparent ceramics, laser gain ceramics and crystals, as well as new mid and long wavelength optical materials.
Dr. Aggarwal received his Ph.D. degree in Materials Science from Catholic University of America. He subsequently worked at Corning, Inc.. Before joining NRL, he was Vice President and director of research and engineering for Valtec Corporation and Lasertron Inc.
For More information, Contact:
Dr. Martin Richardson
mcr@creol.ucf.edu
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