Nonlinear optics have shown promise from simple frequency conversion to quantum computations. This research project expands the body of work in the area of nonlinear photonics using silicon photonics. Current work is being performed to build a platform for characterizing silicon photonic integrated chips. These are similar to circuit chips on a computer but use light instead of electrons to execute calculations. We will develop a method to couple laser light into the devices and use electrical probes to measure their performance.

For more information please feel free to contact LTC William North at william.north@westpoint.edu.

One application of nonlinear optics is used to convert one wavelength (color) of light to another. In this work, we use nonlinear optics to build a system called the optical parametric oscillators (OPO).  We use the OPO to convert light in the near-infrared band to a wavelength in the mid-infrared band of light.  We use very short pulses of light to accomplish this.  In fact, the pulses are near one-millionth of one-billionth of a second long.  Our study is trying to achieve the highest conversion efficiency in the world for a specific type of OPO while also trying to reduce the size of the system.

For more information please feel free to contact LTC William North at william.north@westpoint.edu.

Our recent work established an apparatus for measuring the beam propagation factor, known as M², of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs). VCSELs are nanoscale lasers used in systems such as optical fiber communication systems and even the iPhone facial recognition system. This study will expand the capabilities of the apparatus to fully characterize arrays of VCSEL devices. 

For more information please feel free to contact LTC William North at william.north@westpoint.edu.

Directed energy weapon systems in the form of lasers are capable of producing both reversible and non-reversible battlefield effects. The High Energy Laser project in the Photonics Research Center conducts research in support of Department of Defense high energy laser projects. Our current research includes target effects, atmospheric characterization, and beam diagnostics. We plan to construct our own mobile laser system that can be deployed to outdoor range facilities to measure the atmospheric effects on beam propagation and its effects on target damage.

For more information please feel free to contact COL Corey Gerving at corey.gerving@westpoint.edu.

Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) physics explores the fundamental interactions between light and matter. The AMO program at West Point is a collaboration of scientists and students exploring these interactions and their applications from both an experimental and theoretical standpoint. World-class research-grade equipment, along with a full quantum mechanical description of matter, enables students and faculty to explore and manipulate atoms, molecules, light, and complex systems to answer scientific questions for the Army, DoD, Nation, and broader scientific community.

For more information contact LTC Brian Holloway (PNE) or DR David O. Kashinski (PNE) by email at PRCAMO@westpoint.edu.

Carbon nanomaterials are a promising nanoscale platform to construct next-generation composite thin films for high performance, light-weight, and configurable optical sensors and electrodes. Our design process enables the controlled functionalization and assembly of noble metal nanoparticles onto 2D graphene sheets or 1D carbon nanotubes to develop 3D nanocomposite thin films with any noble metal and carbon nanomaterial. This aqueous method of assembly can lead to the development of high-performance nanocomposite materials that will enable innovative concepts for engineered ultra-thin films using the layer-by-layer (LBL) coating method to assemble carbon nanomaterials with inorganic (metal and metal oxide) nanostructures to harness the synergistic optoelectronic and photocatalytic properties to incorporate into photovoltaics.

For more information please feel free to contact Dr. Enoch A. Nagelli at enoch.nagelli@westpoint.edu.