RAP opportunity at Air Force Science and Technology Fellowship Program AF STFP
Development and Characterization of Photorefractive Materials
Location
Materials & Manufacturing, RX/Photonic Materials
opportunity |
location |
|
13.25.03.B5471 |
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 454337817 |
Advisers
name |
email |
phone |
|
Dean R. Evans |
dean.evans@us.af.mil |
850.226.1854 |
Description
Photorefractive materials are being studied for applications in all-optical devices where the transfer of energy from one beam to another (beam coupling) occurs through a photorefractive grating. In inorganic photorefractives, contra-directional two-beam coupling is achieved when two counter-propagating beams interfere and form a reflection grating. The use of this geometry for studying the photorefractive properties of a material has the advantage of simplicity because only one incident beam is used, while the second beam is generated by the Fresnel refection inside the material. We have also investigated photorefractive transmission gratings in hybridized organic-inorganic photorefractive materials, as well as light scattering effects in hybridized organic-inorganic photovoltaic liquid crystal cells. Ferroelectric nanoparticles have been incorporated in the hybridized organic-inorganic photorefractive materials to enhance the optical gain.
We are interested in developing and understanding the physics of bulk and hybridized materials that exhibit the photorefractive effect in the visible, near-infrared, and infrared spectral regions. Because the photovoltaic effect can strongly influence the formation of gratings in some materials, we are also interested in the electrical properties of photorefractive materials.
References
Cook G, et al: Optics Express 16: 4015, 2008
Basun SA, et al: Physical Review B, 84: 024105, 2011
Evans DR, et al: Physical Review B, 84: 174111, 2011
key words
Nonlinear optics; Photovoltaic effect; Hybridized-organic-inorganic-photorefractive materials; Photorefractive effect; Contra-directional two-beam coupling;
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 awardees will receive an appropriately higher stipend based on the number of years of experience past their PhD.
|
Additional Benefits
Relocation
Awardees who reside more than 50 miles from their host laboratory and remain on tenure for at least six months are eligible for paid relocation to within the vicinity of their host laboratory.
Health insurance
A group health insurance program is available to awardees and their qualifying dependents in the United States.