Project Info
Numeric and analytic investigation of nonlinear ultrashort-pulse propagation
Daniel Adams
daadams@mines.edu
Project Goals and Description:
This project involves simulating the nonlinear propagation dynamics of ultrashort pulses of light. These ultrabright pulses can modify the index of refraction of materials they propagate through producing fascinating modifications to their spatiotemporal structure. This is interesting to a large variety of audiences due to applications such as: remote triggering of lightning, high peak power light transmission, material modification in the nonlinear regime including by filamentation, and other high nonlinear effects such as laser wake-field generation.
More Information:
Grand Challenge: Engineer the tools of scientific discovery.
- L. Gaeta, "Catastrophic collapse of ultrashort pulses," Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 3582–3585 (2000).
- B. Shim, S. E. Schrauth, and A. L. Gaeta, "Filamentation in air with ultrashort mid-infrared pulses.," Opt. Express 19, 9118–26 (2011).
Primary Contacts:
Daniel Adams, daadams@mines.edu
Student Preparation
Qualifications
Some coding experience preferable but not required. Physics background preferable
TIME COMMITMENT (HRS/WK)
This project can be paid up to the maximum allowable by the MURF program
SKILLS/TECHNIQUES GAINED
Computer programming
Numeric solutions to pdes
Understanding ultrashort pulse propagation
Fourier analysis
MENTORING PLAN
The student will attend weekly meetings to report progress. The meetings will be attended by a graduate student from Prof. Adams’ group as well.
PREFERRED STUDENT STATUS
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior