Non-linear Spectroscopic Studies

This research activity is concerned with the spectroscopy of ultra-fast laser interactions non-linear optical measurements. One of the common themes of this diverse activity is the understanding and control of these interactions using adaptive temporal pulse shaping. For example, the influence of ion beams measured using Time of Flight (TOF) spectroscopy, and the spectral properties of laser ablation plasmas.

Also included are diagnostics for the non-linear optical properties of novel materials such as 3-D photonic crystals. Our main interests are in the measurements of nonlinear refractive index (z-scan) and pump induced band gap shifts characterized using white light.