Summer REU 2008
Joshua Perkins 
Supervisor: Dr. Kristin Corwin
Kansas State University Physics Department REU Program,
sponsored by NSF
My project goals for the
summer are to build an acetylene laser inside of a Photonic Band Gap Fiber (PBGF).
First, design a basic
setup for the laser cavity and optics using prior knowledge of optics research.
Second, I am going to research the lasing properties of acetylene so I can
better understand how this system should work. Third, once I have all of the
parts, construction on the laser will begin. Finally, I will (hopefully) have
time to test several gasses and ratios to achieve better laser gain.
So far I have ordered all
of the parts necessary for building the laser cavity. This includes, but is not
limited to: PBGF fiber, SMF fiber, custom built vacuum system, mirrors, lenses,
fiber optic: polarizing beam splitter, mirror and devices to support and align
all of these parts such as a circulator. This has turned to be a large part of
the project, since this has never been done before designing, gathering, and
assembling all of the required equipment has shown to be extremely time
consuming. Meanwhile, I am studying laser systems and how to model them.
Now that I have assembled
a temporary system I have begun testing for fluorescence to see which transitions are occurring
most often.
The fluorescence testing
system works, but we see no light other than what we are putting into the
system with our pump laser. Any actual fluorescence is being covered up by
random noise in the detector (ANDO) even in its most sensitive settings. Doing
a scan for light in a 10 nm section takes about 20 to 30 minutes and my over
all range of wavelengths is around 150nm. I will have to leave this project in
the capable hands of Andrew Jones who has been working with me on this project
all summer. Unfortunately, now he will have to take all of the fluorescence measurements
by himself.
Final Presentation: I gave with the first round of
presentations since my advisor Dr. Corwin was traveling during the second
round. I was a little nervous, but I had plenty of practice so it went well.
Find it here.
Final Report: The final report I turned into my advisor.
Lectures by Dr. Weaver: ARE
AMAZINGLY HELPFUL, AND INFORMATIVE. We learned about Quantum and high energy
physics, optics (including a great lecture on holograms which I requested). We
also covered several areas in basic physics like energy scales, and waves. I
already knew the basics that some of the lectures, but I can tell they were
really helpful to several of the other REU students, and now I have an even
better understanding of how to explain these topics to others.
About Me: I just finished my 4th year at
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