This NSF Young Investigator Award from the Organic Dynamics Program supports the work of Professor Kahr at Purdue University to understand and control crystal growth. Inorganic crystals with included organic dyes called hour glass inclusions will be investigated to study their applications for materials research, non linear optical devices, and solid state lasers. Research into the factors affecting the rates of crystal growth will be undertaken in order to control unique features of crystals and to design special crystals from first principles. With this NYI Award Professor Kahr will study the behavior of molecular compounds included in solid crystals made up from inorganic substances such as sodium sulfate or Glauber's salt. These novel mixed crystals will be studied to see if they can act as solid state lasers or if they exhibit unique optical phenomena applicable to materials research. This research will advance the understanding of the control of crystal growth which is important to diverse areas such as drugs, materials, and semiconductors.
