Mentor(s)

Ahmet Amin Akosman, Engineering, Roger Williams University

Project Location

Roger Williams University

Project Description

The development of advanced optical systems, such as dual comb Erbium fiber lasers, plays a pivotal role in various scientific and technological applications, ranging from precision spectroscopy to environmental monitoring. These lasers, with their ability to generate a frequency comb of equally spaced, ultra-narrow spectral lines, are revolutionizing high-resolution measurements. The hypothesis underlying this summer project is that, by introducing undergraduates to the fundamental concepts of laser physics and hands-on experience in building a simplified Erbium fiber laser, they will not only gain practical skills but also develop an appreciation for the complexities of advanced optical systems. This project will focus on a simplified single cavity laser setup to provide a two coupled ultrafast pulse trains at orthogonal polarization states, which will serve as the dual comb. Then, in another consecutive project, this fiber laser source will be used to assess seawater constituents through dual comb spectroscopic experiments.

The primary goal of this 10-week summer program is to provide a rich and immersive learning experience for two motivated undergraduates, allowing them to explore the world of lasers. By the end of this program, the students are expected to have achieved the following:
– A solid grasp of laser physics, Erbium-doped fiber laser, and mode-locking principles.
– Proficiency in aligning and integrating key fiber laser components.
– Practical experience in laser characterization, including measurements of laser output power, spectrum, and mode-locking behavior.
– A well-documented project report summarizing their work and findings.
Moreover, the students will have gained exposure to the dynamic world of research, honed their lab skills, and developed a foundation that can serve as a launchpad for future studies or projects in laser technology and optics.

Throughout the 10-week program, the two students will be actively involved in a range of tasks aimed at achieving the project’s objectives. These tasks include:
– Learning the fundamentals of laser physics, optical components, and laser safety protocols.
– Working on the setup and alignment of the simplified Erbium fiber laser system.
– Collaborating with mentors to understand and characterize the laser’s output through spectral measurements and power measurements.
– Maintaining a comprehensive lab notebook to document procedures, challenges, and results.
– Preparing a project report that summarizes the design and setup of the simplified Erbium fiber laser and presents the results of their measurements and observations.
Additionally, the students will engage in weekly meetings and discussions with their mentors to ensure they are on track with their tasks, address any questions or challenges, and gain deeper insights about lasers.

This project involves lab work

Required/Preferred skills

Required: Have taken Physics II course, basic familiarity with oscilloscopes and multimeters

Preferred: Interested in optical fiber laser work in lab setting, Have taken a circuit theory course

Will the project require transportation to field sites? No

Is this project open to Surf Flex? No

In which core facilities might student conduct research? None

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