Subject：Laser Cooling of Solids: Vibration-Free Cryocoolers and Athermal Lasers
Speaker：Prof. Mansoor Sheik-Bahae
Emcee：Prof Jianping Yin
Time：2:30pm, 1st Nov, 2018
Place：Science Building A510
Abstract：
Laser cooling of solids (also known as optical refrigeration) has advanced tremendously since its first experimental observation in 1995.Most recently, crystals doped with Yb ions have cooled to an absolute temperature below 90K starting from room temperature, with even lower temperatures on the horizon. Optical refrigeration is currently the only available technique for realizing an all-solid-state cryocooler. In this talk, I will present an overview of the recent advances in laser cooling of rare-earth doped crystals, namely ytterbium (Yb3+), thulium (Tm3+), and holmium (Ho3+)-doped crystals.Most recently, optical refrigeration of a device (LWIR-sensor) to 135K has now been demonstrated using a cryocooler based on Yb:YLF crystal. Extending this concept to radiation-balanced-lasers (RBL) has led to the demonstration of “athermal” rare-earth doped thin-disk lasers. In particular I discuss our recent work on Yb:YAG and Yb:YLF disk RBLs.
About the Speaker:
Mansoor Sheik-Bahae is Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of New Mexico (UNM). He obtained his PhD from SUNY-Buffalo in 1987 and spent seven years at CREOL (University of Central Florida) as a Research Professor.He is currently also the Chair of Optical Science and Engineering (OSE) at UNM.
His research activities and accomplishments have included development of the Z-scan technique, development of an analytical quantum mechanical theory for nonlinear absorption and Kerr effect in solids using a novel formulation nonlinear Kramers-Kronig relationship, ultrafast photonics and diagnostics. His recent focus has been on laser cooling of solids (optical refrigeration), radiation-balanced lasers, and semiconductor photonics.
He is an OSA Fellow (2000), and is the co-recipient of the OSA’s R. W. Wood Prize for his contribution to nonlinear optics.In 2007, Professor Sheik-Bahae was recognized for authoring the most cited paper in the history of IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics regarding the invention of the Z-scan technique. He has authored 150-200 publicationswith more than 19000 citations to his work.
