Each year, the OSA New Focus Student Awards present three grand prizes of $10,000 each and five prizes of $2,500 each. University professors and advisors are eligible to nominate students and the finalists are selected by a special committee. This year’s finalists are:
1. Seth Aubin, State University of New York, Stony Brook “Trapping of francium for parity violation experiments”
Abstract: Optimization of our collection trap requires systematic studies of dry film coatings, optical arrangements, magnetic field, repumper power, and laser polarizations, detuning, and intensity in a regime not previously explored given the rarity of francium.
2. E. Staffan Björlin, University of California, Santa Barbara
“Vertical-Cavity semiconductor Optical Amplifiers for Optical Preamplification at High Bit-rates”
Abstract: We present experimental results and theory of vertical-cavity SOAs for optical preamplification. VCSOAs have a narrow bandwidth and function as amplifying filters. At 10GB/s, we demonstrated a 7-dB improvement in receiver sensitivity of a standard PIN-receiver by using a VSCOA-preamplifier operating at 11 dB gain.
3. Michael J. Escuti, Brown University “Switchable Mesoscale 2D and 3D Lattices in Liquid Crystal Polymer Dispersions: Materials for Innovative Photonic Switches”
Abstract: We explore the potential and holographic fabrication of switchable photonic lattices based on two- and three-dimensional nano-structured polymer dispersions of liquid crystals. Innovative photonic crystal applications are envisioned where the pseudo-bandgap can be electrically controlled.
4. Gordon A. Keeler, Stanford University “Performance Enhancement of an Optical Interconnect Using Short Pulses from a Modelocked Diode Laser”
Abstract: We demonstrate significant performance improvements in a chip-to-chip optical interconnect by employing a modelocked diode laser. BER measurements show a receiver sensitivity enhancement of 3.3 dB when compared to operation with a continuous-wave laser.
5. Jason D. McKinney, Purdue University “Direct Space-to-Time Optical Pulse Shaping for Millimeter-wave Arbitrary Waveform Generation”
Abstract: By using tailored pulse sequences from a novel, 1.5 μm direct space-to-time pulse shaper driving a high-speed photodetector, we have achieved the first millimeter-wave arbitrary waveform generation at center frequencies approaching 50 GHz.
6. Victor Perlin, University of Michigan “On trade-off between noise and nonlinearity in WDM systems with distributed Raman amplification”
Abstract: We show that for a fixed nonlinear weight, the OSNR is maximized if the signal power variation along the fiber is minimal. We derive the fundamental limit for the ratio of path-averaged signal power to OSNR, and discuss the ways to approach this limit.
7. Sergey V. Polyakov, School of Optics/CREOL, University of Central Florida “Controlled Multiple Soliton Generation in Non-critically Phase-matched Crystals”
Abstract: We demonstrate experimentally and numerically that high power 2D beams generate multiple quadratic solitons in Type-I biaxial crystal (KNbO3). Switching between one and two soliton generation can be controlled with a weak harmonic seed beam.
8. Paul L. Voss, Northwestern University “Measurement of the Photon Statistics and Noise Figure of Fiber Optical Amplifiers”
Abstract: We report measurement of the photon statistics and noise figure of spontaneous emission from erbium-doped fiber amplifiers, Raman amplifiers, and fiber optical parametric amplifiers with single-mode, single-photon resolution. The results agree with quantum theoretical predictions
For more information, please contact the OSA Awards Office at awards@osa.org.
About OSA
Founded in 1916, the Optical Society of America (OSA) was organized to increase and diffuse the knowledge of optics, pure and applied; to promote the common interests of investigators of optical problems, of designers, and of users of optical apparatus of all kinds; and to encourage cooperation among them. OSA’s mission is to promote the generation, application and archiving of knowledge in optics and photonics and to disseminate this knowledge worldwide. OSA can be found on the Web at www.osa.org.
About New Focus
New Focus manufactures differentiated optical and radio-frequency (RF) products for the next-generation communication networks and other photonics markets. New Focus’ product portfolio includes tunable lasers for both test and measurement and network applications, high speed opto-electronic devices, and advanced photonics tools. Founded in 1990, the company remains a leader in the creation of advanced optical products for the commercial and research marketplaces. The company is headquartered in San Jose, California and has operations in Camarillo, California, Madison, Wisconsin, and Shenzhen, China. New Focus can be found on the Web at www.newfocus.com .