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RAP opportunity at Air Force Science and Technology Fellowship Program     AF STFP

Lasers for Active Sensing

Location

Sensors Directorate, RY/Sensors Division

opportunity location
13.35.01.C0385 Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 454337542

Advisers

name email phone
Ricky Dean Gibson ricky.gibson.2@us.af.mil 937 713 8661

Description

Applications in active sensing techniques, including hyperspectral imaging (HSI), typically require a broad operation bandwidth at a single time for both the source and detector or rapid tuning of the source. In either case, the trade-off between spectral power density and range of operation must be considered. Infrared supercontinuum sources [1], frequency combs [2], and quantum cascade lasers [3] have shown promise for active HSI, chemical detection, and surface analysis. We are currently exploring ways to improve these or other sources, improve current detection techniques, or implement alterantive detection techniques for chemical detection and/or surface analysis at sizable stand-off distances.

Interest areas in source development include material design and development, fabrication, coupled resonator designs, mode-locked lasers, external cavity lasers, and nonlinear optics. Corresponding detection schemes (FTIR, VIPA, dual comb spectroscopy, etc.) and implementation for the given source is also an active area of interest. Fabrication facilities for laser and detector development are available. A full testing capability suite is available for cryogenic through high-temperature measurements for device operation.

[1] Théberge, Francis, et al. "Watt-level and spectrally flat mid-infrared supercontinuum in fluoroindate fibers." Photonics Research 6.6 (2018): 609-613.

[2] Rockmore, Robert, et al. "Offset-free mid-infrared frequency comb based on a mode-locked semiconductor laser." Optics Letters 44.7 (2019): 1797-1800.

[3] Kelley, David B., et al. "High-speed mid-infrared hyperspectral imaging using quantum cascade lasers." Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Sensing XVIII. Vol. 10183. International Society for Optics and Photonics, 2017.

key words
Lasers; Semiconductor; PCSEL; VECSEL; topological laser; Solid-state; Infrared; Nonlinear; Fiber Optics; Resonator; Tunable lasers; Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI); Chemical Sensing;

Eligibility

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens
Level:  Open to Postdoctoral and Senior applicants

Stipend

Base Stipend Travel Allotment Supplementation
$95,000.00 $5,000.00

Experience Supplement:
Postdoctoral and Senior Associates will receive an appropriately higher stipend based on the number of years of experience past their PhD.

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