OPTICAL PHYSICS RESEARCH GROUP @ EKU
RESEARCH
Our group is interested in a broad range of problems in laser spectroscopy. Our immediate projects (as of November 2018) are the development and characterization of a biomimetic material that we will use as substrates for new nanostructures, as well as the exploration of a new optical tweezers technique. On a longer time scale, we are developing a multidimensional Fourier spectrometer that will use phase-stabilized ultrafast laser pulses from our Ti:Sapph to probe the nonlinear response of a broad range of material systems. This instrument will make use of a novel pulse-shaping system we are prototyping (see e.g. Jarvis, Thomas W. "Multiplexing acousto-optic modulators to steer polychromatic laser beams." JOSA B 32, no. 1 (2015): 83-91 for the relevant acousto-optics).
Our spectroscopic interests are currently focused on two- and three-photon processes in semiconductors and in metallic nanostructures, with other interests including the effect on quantum coherence when excitons hybridize with surface plasmon polaritons, the lineshapes of ensembles of organic dye molecules bound to proteins like melanin and keratin), and the optical physics of some novel semiconductor nanostructures. We hope to be able to use a term-isolation detection scheme we have demonstrated (see e.g. Jarvis, T. W. (2016). “Extending lock-in methods: term isolation detection of nonlinear signals.” Applied Optics, 55(22), 5846-5854 and Jarvis, Thomas W. "Isolation of Weak Four-Wave Mixing Signal Components in Reflection Experiments." IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics 52.11 (2016): 1-8 for an explanation of term-isolation detection) to study single quantum emitters. Are you developing a new material that you think could benefit from ultrafast spectroscopic measurements? Please reach out to us!
In addition, we are currently investigating the application of twisted light to spectroscopic problems and to optical manipulation in superconductors. We have side projects studying the statistics of election results, an interest in developing a machine vision tool to study pits and grooves on the fossilized teeth of extinct ruminants, and some electronics work intended to help develop micropower tools for use in environments without regular electrical utility services.