|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
Watt's Up College of Optical Sciences News for April 24, 2008
Students | Watt's Happening | Optics Employment
Today's Colloquium: 3:30 p.m. Meinel 307
Abstract: Infrared-transmissive hollow waveguides (HWGs) are enjoying a resurgence resulting from emerging applications in a variety of sensor and power delivery systems. These HWGs consist of glass or polymer tubes with highly reflective metallic and dielectric coatings deposited on the inside surface. They are normally fabricated for transmission from transmit from 2 to 12 µm but they have also been made for the transmission of visible and THz radiation. Losses in the IR regime are less than 1 dB/m and lengths as long as 10 m have been made. The most successful structure has been the Ag/AgI coated hollow silica waveguides which are now being used to transmit broadband spectral information for thermal imaging and spectroscopy as well as for IR laser surgery. A brief history of the development of these unique structures will be given followed by a more detailed description of the optical properties of the HWGs. A variety of applications will be described including those involving laser power delivery in surgery, thermal imaging, and spectroscopy.
In addition to the technical presentation on hollow waveguides, I will also briefly describe my year working as a scientist at the Department of State. While there is generally a paucity of scientists at State, I found that scientists can play a key role assisting our foreign policy makers on science related issues. My year at State was spent as the science advisor for the control of dual-use, high technology items which the US controls either though the Department of Commerce or Defense (ITAR). I will review my year at State including examples of what types of technologies are controlled along with my work on visa related issues. During my year I have seen first hand the importance of science in the development of a sound foreign policy. Clearly there is an important role for a scientist at State yet I have learned that even though the science may be straightforward the path to achieving the final export controls is often filled with diplomatic potholes.
Bio: Dr. Harrington has over thirty-five years of research experience in the area of optical properties of solids. Since 1977 he has worked on all aspects of infrared fibers including fabrication, characterization, and applications. He is generally recognized as one of the world's leading experts in this continually evolving field. His current research interests include the development of fiber optics for use in the delivery of laser power in surgical and industrial applications and for use as chemical and thermal fiber sensors. Specifically, these new fibers include hollow glass waveguides and solid core, single-crystal sapphire fibers for the delivery of CO2, Er:YAG, and FEL laser radiation and for spectroscopic and thermometric applications aimed at the identification of chemical species and the measurement of low and high (>1500 C) temperature radiation. He is the inventor of hollow glass waveguides, which today are being used as CO2 laser delivery systems in gynecology, arthroscopy, and dentistry. His book, Infrared Fibers and Their Applications, SPIE Press, January, 2004 provides a comprehensive overview of IR fiber optics and an entry point for those wishing to learn more about this growing field.
Dr. Harrington has spent many years in service to the optical community primarily through his professional association with SPIE, The International Society for Optical Engineering and through his work as a science advisor to the US Department of State. As member of SPIE’s leadership and in 2002 as President of SPIE he traveled extensively promoting optics research and education. He has met with many leaders in the US, Europe, and the far East to help arrange professional society meetings that promote not only many technical areas involving the broad field of optics but also to encourage many students to participate in professional conferences. Through his chairmanship of the US Advisory Committee of the International Commission on Optics (USAC/ICO), he has been very involved in working with a team of dedicated optics professionals to promote optics and photonics on a national level. During the 2005-2006, Dr. Harrington was a Jefferson Science Fellow at the US Department of State. He worked as a science advisor within the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, Office of Conventional Arms and Threat Reduction (ISN/SATR) where he assisted in the establishment of controls for dual-use high technology goods. Specifically, his work with State, the Departments of Defense, Commerce, and the 40 nations making up the Wassenaar Arrangement helped establish controls for lasers and for low-light level sensors and cameras. His interests include control of dual-use technology, non-immigrant visas, and the application of non-life science and engineering solutions to improve the standard of living in less developed countries.
Next Week's Colloquium: 3:30 p.m. Meinel 307
Bruce Tromberg, University of California, Irvine, will present Medical Imaging in Thick Tissues Using Diffuse Optics. Jennifer Barton and Arthur Gmitro are the hosts.
Abstract: Medical diagnostic techniques based on near infrared (NIR) transillumination were first introduced more than 70 years ago to detect breast cancer. Although NIR light penetrates tissue to depths of several centimeters, early methods were not successful due to the fact that these approaches were qualitative and did not account for distortions from multiple light scattering.
Recent advances in temporal- and spatial- frequency-domain “photon migration” now make it possible to separate light absorption from scattering in thick tissues. Temporal frequency-domain methods measure the phase shift and amplitude of MHz - GHz intensity-modulated waves, while spatial frequency-domain techniques utilize structured light patterns to form wide-field images of tissue optical properties. Both approaches are based on comparing measured data with radiative transport models to acquire spectra and form images, i.e. diffuse optical spectroscopic imaging (DOSI).
This talk reviews principles of light propagation in tissue and describes the development of DOSI for non-invasively characterizing tissue structure and biochemical composition. Particular emphasis is placed on broadband methods for quantitatively recovering NIR absorption and scattering spectra. These data are used to determine the tissue concentration of deoxygenated hemoglobin, oxygenated hemoglobin, methemoglobin, lipid, and water, as well as the tissue “scatter power”. Clinical study results are shown highlighting the sensitivity of broadband DOSI to metabolic changes in breast cancer and in therapeutic drug monitoring. Broadband spatial frequency-domain imaging is used in pre-clinical animal models to dynamically map intrinsic brain signals and monitor the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents. These findings will be placed in the context of conventional imaging methods, such as MRI, in order to assess the current and future role of diffuse optics in medical imaging.
OSC's Tinkertoy Challenge
Amber Young Receives Scholarship to Attend Laureates Meeting in Lindau
The Lindau Meetings began in 1951. The subject matter rotates from year to year, with Physics Laureates gathering every third year. During the course of the Lindau week, the Laureates give presentations on topics of their choice. Lively round table discussions in plenary sessions include the audience and are defined by interdisciplinary questions. Specially organized student discussions have students gathered around a designated Laureate for several hours in the afternoons. Social events in the evenings bring the scientific newcomers into more personal contact with the Nobel scientists.
Students are initially nominated via intermediaries from universities and research institutions, then by sponsoring entities, and final selection is made by the International Lindau Meeting Committee. At present count, approximately 500 students and young scientists from all over the world, including 40 from the United States, are expected to participate in this year's Lindau Meeting.
Amber completed a BA in Physics at Middlebury College in Vermont. She is a research assistant in Masud Mansuripur's group and expects to complete OSC prelims this fall. In 2007 Amber was the first recipient of the Willis E. Lamb Jr. Scholarship in Optical Sciences. The scholarship, awarded every other year to exceptional candidates, honors Professor Willis E. Lamb Jr. who received a Nobel Prize in Physics for his experimental work on the fine structure of the hydrogen atom and discovery of a phenomenon called the Lamb hift.
Congratulations Amber! Keep in touch and let us know how it goes.
Question of the Week
Does anyone know if other OSC students have attended a Lindau Meeting or is Amber the first? Alumni, do any of you remember?
OSC Calendar
April 24
April 25 OSC Community Speakers
May 1
May 2
May 7
Happy Birthday and Best Wishes for a Wonderful Year
April 28Manijeh Razeghi (razeghi@ece.northwestern.edu)
April 30Samuel Goldstein (samg@email.arizona.edu)
May 2John Reagan (reagan@ece.Arizona.EDU) Nickolaos Savidis (nsavidis@optics.arizona.edu)
May 4
Jane Lee (jlee@optics.arizona.edu)
On Campus
April 24 Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Seminar. 4:00 p.m. AME Lecture Hall, Room S212. Dr. Peter Vadasz will present Analytical Prediction of the Transition of Weak Turbulence in Natural Convection in Porous Media.
April 25 Physics Colloquium. 2:30 and 3:00 p.m. PAS 220. The graduate student presentation at 2:30 is TBA. At 3:00, Professor Harold Baranger will present Interactions and Interference in Electronic Nanostructures.
Please visit our optics employment Web site at http://www.optics.arizona.edu/employment/default.htm
Scientist. Caltech. Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory. Job Discipline & Career Level: Scientific Research - IC (BAL) / Associate OR Senior . Salary Grade: 43 or 44. Date Posted: 1/30/08. Location: Caltech, Pasadena, CA . The Caltech/MIT Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) seeks a highly motivated, skilled and experienced senior systems engineer to join its team. LIGO is a premier National Science Foundation project at the leading edge of observational cosmology. LIGO is nearing completion on the R&D for a major upgrade to the existing observatory instruments. The advanced LIGO upgrade is scheduled for construction in 2008 through 2013, followed by commissioning and observation. The Project has exciting and challenging opportunities for bright, energetic, and motivated engineers and scientists. LIGO is sponsored by the U.S. National Science Foundation to research, develop, and implement techniques for the detection of astrophysical gravitational waves. Facilities include research and development sites on the Caltech and MIT campuses and laser interferometer observatories located at Hanford, Washington and Livingston, Louisiana. For more information see the project web site at http://www.ligo.caltech.edu/ This is a 3-year term, renewable position. Job Duties: The successful candidate will join the Core Optics Components group of the LIGO Laboratory, during the implementation phase of a major technology upgrade to the observatory detectors planned for 2008 through 2013. The successful candidate will be responsible for: Technical and contract oversight of state of the art mutilayer dielectric coating vendors. Working with PhD researchers on development of new advanced coatings. Writing specifications for state of the art optical coatings. Technical and contract oversight of coating metrology development and technical oversight of subsequent use within the laboratory. Optical cleaning and clean storage process development. Development of fixturing for large optical component handling and installation. Supervising an optical technician. Developing and managing to a budget and a schedule. Travel to LIGO Scientific Collaboration facilities and LIGO contractor locations will be required at a frequency of up to 1 week per month on average. During the installation and system test phases, more travel for brief periods is likely to be required (up to 50% time). Excellent verbal and written communication skills, a team attitude, and a high degree of professional discipline will be essential for success. Experience in an R&D environment is preferred. Minimum Requirements: Relevant Ph.D in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related technical discipline, or a minimum of 5 years experience in the development of high performance dielectric optical coatings and cleaning processes and/or optical metrology. Demonstrated ability to work both independently and in a team. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Experience in interferometric optical metrology, optical polishing, optical design or optical manufacturing desirable. The career level and salary determination will be based on the applicant's experience, skills and competencies as they relate to the requirements of this position. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Demonstrated ability to deliver timely, cost-effective and readily accessible study / design results. Optical testing and data analysis. Candidates should have facility with analysis tools such as Matlab and/or Mathematica. Candidates should have good spoken, written and formal presentation skills. Caltech is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, Veterans and Disabled Persons are encouraged to apply.
Cathy Alexander Information Specialist Coordinator College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona cathy.alexander@optics.arizona.edu |
||||||||||||
James
Harrington of Rutgers University will present An Optical
Fiber With a Big Hole or Infrared Hollow Waveguides: A
Review. John Greivenkamp is the host.
OSC
graduate student Amber Young has been selected to attend
this summer's 58th Lindau Meeting of Nobel Laureates and
Students in Lindau, on
Bavaria's Lake Constance. The 2008 meeting, from June
28 to July 4, is dedicated to Physics and will be attended
by approximately 25 Nobel Prize recipients in Physics.
Our own Nobel Laureates, Nicolaas Bloembergen and Willis E.
Lamb, are both on the list of those planning to attend.
Amber's
trip is sponsored by Mars, Incorporated, the family-owned
company that manufactures and markets a wide variety of food
products including such well-loved confectionaries as Mars
Bars, Milky Ways, M&Ms, and Snickers. The company was
founded in 1911 and is headquartered in McLean, Virginia.