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Watt's Up
College
of Optical Sciences News for March 6, 2008
Today's Colloquium
3:30 p.m. Meinel 307
 Our own Poul Jessen will present
Quantum Control of Atomic Spins. Stanley Pau is
the host. Abstract: Laboratory techniques to manipulate and
observe ultracold atoms make these a superb platform on
which to develop and test new ideas in quantum control and
measurement. I will discuss a series of recent experiments
in which we use laser light and magnetic fields to drive
non-trivial quantum dynamics of a large spin-angular
momentum associated with an atomic hyperfine ground state.
The resulting nonlinear spin Hamiltonian is sufficiently
general to achieve universal quantum control over the 2F+1
dimensional state space, and allows us to generate arbitrary
spin states and perform a full quantum state reconstruction
of the result. We have implemented and verified time optimal
controls to generate a broad variety of spin states, as well
as an adiabatic scheme to generate spin-squeezed states for
metrology. Most recently we have used our control and
measurement tools to realize a popular paradigm for quantum
chaos known as the kicked top. Direct observation of the
phase space dynamics of this system has given us an
unprecedented look at quantum/classical correspondence. In
the future we hope to extend our toolbox for control and
measurement of individual atoms and to apply it also to
collective spins. Applications include quantum metrology,
quantum information processing and simulations of quantum
manybody physics.
Friday's OSC Community
Speakers
Noon. Meinel 410
Elka Ertur Koehler, OSC PhD 2000
and MS 1993, will present A Scientist's Perspective of
Congress. Elka Koehler, who served as an AAAS
Congressional Fellow in Washington DC, will present her
experiences and perspectives of the legislative process from
a scientist's point of view. This prestigious
fellowship is designed to demonstrate the value of
science-government interaction, and to bring technical
backgrounds and external perspectives to the decision-making
process in Congress. Working as a special legislative
assistant in policy areas requiring scientific and technical
input gave her the unique opportunity to learn firsthand how
the federal government operates and to help make decisions
that result in national public policy. While serving
as a science advisor to Senator Joseph I. Lieberman (D-CT)
during her leave of absence from Raytheon, she performed
background research for legislation, drafted bills and
amendments, prepared questions for witnesses at Senate
hearings, and wrote Senate floor statements, oversight
letters to the administration, speeches, and position papers
on science and technology related issues. She will
briefly discuss some of the science related issues the
Congress continues to deal with, including the state of the
U.S. innovation infrastructure in the face of globalization.
Boris Glebov, OSC PhD student,
will present Real-Time Observation of Gamma-Ray-Induced
Photodarkening in Laser Crystals. The application
of optical components and devices in space-based systems,
and in other harsh radiation environments, has driven the
need for research to understand the impace of ionizing
radiation on the performance of optical materials.
Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (YAG) is a laser host material with
stable mechanical, optical, and environmental properties.
Common dopants for YAG include both Nd and Cr, appearing as
Nd3+, and Cr4+. In this paper we will discuss the
impact of Y irradiation on the optical properties of doped-YAG
laser materials. Samples with varying composition have
been examined using optical spectroscopy before, during and
after Y irradiation. In contrast with the Cr:YAG,
significant transient radiation-induced photodarkening was
observed in Nd:YAG samples. In essence, we take laser
crystals and blast them with a giant gamma-ray cannon.
We are just down the hall from The Hulk.
Next Week's Colloquium
3:30 p.m. Meinel 307
 Martin Wegener, University
Karlsruhe. will present Photonic Metamaterials: Optics
Starts Walking on Two Feet. Galina Khitrova is the
host. Abstract: Metamaterials are man-made
tailored materials composed of sub-wavelength metallic
building blocks ("photonic atoms") that are densely packed
into an effective material. This allows for achieving
optical material properties that simply do not occur in
natural substances. Examples are magnetism at elevated
frequencies, negative refractive indices, giant circular
dichroism, and enhanced optical nonlinearities. Photonic
metamaterials operate at optical frequencies and require
nanofabrication. In this talk, we give an introduction into
this emerging field and review recent progress.
CV.
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An Invitation from Breault
Research Organization
College of Optical Sciences
students and staff are invited to participate free of charge
in the Introduction to ASAP training to be held April 14-18,
2008. The offer is valid on a
first-come, first-served, and space-available basis.
For questions or to register,
please contact
tutorials@breault.com or call 721-0500.
BRO, Breault Research
Organization
was founded by Robert Breault,
OSC PhD 1979,
and is an Optical
Sciences Industrial Affiliate at the Principal Partners
Level. |
Highlights from Our
Twenty-Ninth Industrial Affiliates Workshop
Brian Miller is Selected to Receive UA's 2008 Student
Technology Innovation Award
The
Student Innovation Award recognizes innovation and
entrepreneurship among University of Arizona students.
The award, given once each year, honors a student who has excelled in a
technology-related internship, independent study, or
research position. His or her work may contribute to the
development, enhancement or commercialization of a new
technology.
Participants at our Industrial Affiliates Workshop
earlier this week may
remember Brian Miller's presentation: CCD-Based Gamma-Ray
Detectors. The award recognizes two separate
invention disclosures called BazookaSPECT and BazookaPet.
BazookaSPECT is a small-animal imaging system which Brian, a
PhD student in Harry Barrett's group, will soon have
licensed for commercialization. Congratulations,
Brian.
Aimee Allen Receives an Award
for her Thesis
Aimee Allen, Research/Laboratory
Assistant to Charlie Falco, has been selected to receive an
Outstanding Thesis Award for her MA thesis titled The
Hockney-Falco Thesis: An Arts-Based Case-Study of
Interdisciplinary Inquiry. The award, presented by
the Arts Based Educational Research Special Interest Group
of the American Educational Research Association, is given
to the scholar whose work is of importance to Arts and
Learning SIG members and
bears the hallmarks of integrity, quality, depth of
knowledge, style and significance to the field.
Amy
was selected as this year's recipient for two reasons:
first, because her thesis reflects the tenets of arts-based
educational research and second, because reviewers were
particularly impressed with her writing and the quality of
her research. Congratulations, Aimee.
On Campus
March 6
Seminar. 4:00
p.m. Koffler 218. Dr. Rex Hjelm of
Los Alamos National Laboratory will present
Small Angle Neutron
Scattering as a Probe of Molecular Structure:
Unravelling the Structure, Domain Composition and
Polymer Physics of Segmented Polyurethane
March 7
Physics Colloquium.
(1) 2:30 p.m. PAS 220. Grad Student Aaron
Smith will present
A Quantum Chaos Experiment
Using Cold Atoms: The Quantum Kicked Top.
(2) 3:00 p.m. PAS 220. Professor Eric
Prebys will present A New Muon to Electron
Conversion Experiment.
Other Optics Employment
Opportunities
Please visit our optics
employment Web site at
http://www.optics.arizona.edu/employment/default.htm
Lens Designer. ImmerVision.
Montreal, QC. ImmerVision, panoramic imagery
leader offers all industries different innovative software
and optics (Panomorph patented
technology), for video and photo applications. Following an extremely
successful deployment of our Panomorph technology,
ImmerVision Optronic Division now seeks a
further Lens Designer. As part of our dynamic and
creative R&D team in Montreal (QC) Canada, you have a strong interest in the design,
tolerancing and manufacturing of highly advanced optical
system. Your role includes: Undertake preliminary and
detailed optical design and analysis. Generate complete tolerance
set to support prototyping and mass production. Develop assembly and test
strategies. Troubleshooting if required. Involvement in R&D of optical
& opto-mechanical technologies to develop new Panomorph lens custom solutions
for mass production. Qualifications: Minimum qualifications include
3-5 years of direct experience in lens design using well-known optical design software
(or equivalent, senior lens designers are welcome). A good understanding of optical
mounting and assembly practices. Experience with mass production
and design of high performance optics. A working knowledge of glass
molding and engineering polymers is desirable. Interested candidates should
e-mail CV with covering letter to:
careers(at)ImmerVision.com
Imaging Scientist. Applied Vision.
The
international industry leader in machine vision technology
with a strong commitment to innovation, quality and customer
service. We are always looking to add highly qualified
candidates to our team and appreciate your interest in
exploring career opportunities with us. Primary Purpose of Position:
Develop machine vision imaging systems and strategies. Essential Function and
Responsibilities: Design, test and production
engineer imaging optics and illuminators. Assist in the design of
inspection algorithms. Lead projects involving new
technology. Assist in commercialization
of new technology. Perform evaluations of novel
hardware and inspection methodologies at customer sites. Support sales, marketing,
operations and field service as required. Occasional (up to 20%)
travel. Perform other assignments as
directed by management. Qualifications/Requirements:
B.S. or advanced degree in Engineering or Physics.
Mechanical aptitude. Knowledge of optics, illumination and
digital imaging. Competent in basic mathematics. Mature,
self-directed and responsible. For further inquiries or to
apply to this position, please e-mail your resume/CV and
cover letter to
Employment@AppliedVision.com
Internship.
Aurora Optical. Aurora Optical in Tucson, AZ
is seeking an engineering student for a paid
internship. Preferably an undergraduate, the candidate
would be asked to commit between 15-20 hours/week during
Fall/Spring sessions. The student can expect to gain
practical experience with the following duties and
responsibilities: Apply knowledge
and technical skills to the solution of engineering
problems. Interface with
manufacturing, engineering, suppliers, and quality for
ongoing technology development and quality issues. Prototype/Product
mechanical design and development.
Prototype/Production manufacturing equipment and fixture
design. Complete
documentation of all mechanical designs. Investigate and
identify new technology requirements for ongoing
improvements. Provide
technical/engineering support to diamond turning,
molding, assembly, and other plant functions. Participate in
team projects such as DOE, capability studies, Six Sigma
projects, etc. Engineering
support to other team members. This is an excellent
opportunity for a student to gain practical engineering
skills in a production environment. The position is
well-suited for a mechanical engineer although optical,
industrial, and other engineers are also encouraged to
apply. It is recommended that the candidate have
CAD-based design experience, preferably with
Pro-Engineer. The candidate will work with a diverse
group of engineers and technicians. Strong communication
and interpersonal skills are required. Interested students should
contact Richard Culler at
rculler@aurora-optical.com and visit Aurora’s
website,
www.aurora-optical.com
Cathy Alexander
Information Specialist Coordinator
College of Optical Sciences,
University of Arizona
cathy.alexander@optics.arizona.edu |
