An argon ion laser pumping a femtosecond titanium sapphire laser.

Applied Optics Center

An advanced technology center authorized by the State's 21st Centruy fund.

Purpose: Facilitate the formation of strategic development alliances among primarily Delaware-based organizations, and pursue the development and commercialization of advanced optics based products. Initial focus is on laser diode devices and laser spectroscopy.

This Center is organized as a non-profit Delaware corporation, Applied Optics Center of Delaware, Inc.(AOC). The AOC Board of Directors represents key industry sponsors (Dade-Behring, Altos, and B&W Tek) and Delaware State University and has met monthly. The Center is housed at laboratories in the Physics Department of Delaware State University. One laboratory is fully operational and the second is ready for occupation. One PostDoc is working with Dr. Melikechi at DSU and a graduate student is working for AOC with Prof. Watson at the University of Delaware. A second PostDoc and two additional graduate students are being sought. Computers and general laboratory equipment are in place and three of the four projects currently planned have commenced.

Generation of intense nanosecond laser pulses in Titanium Sapphire crystal. The laser pump is the second harmonic beam of an Nd:YAG while the seed laser is the output of a cw diode laser. VIDEO Dr. Melikechi uses an Nd:YAG laser to create a micro-plasma in soil samples. The light emitted by the induced plasma is analyzed which allows the various elements of the sample to be identified.

Relationships are being developed with other Optics Centers. We are already addressing the issue of Center sustainability by identifying the core competencies on which the future of AOC will be built and identifying processes for grant applications by AOC and its members.