9733062 Hommerich This CAREER project aims at a comprehensive investigation of chromium doped II-VI semiconductors for tunable solid-state laser applications in the mid-infrared wavelength region. Synthesis of materials will be carried out in an ongoing collaboration with researchers at Brimrose Corporation of America. Materials will be optically characterized by spectral luminescence studies, luminescence excitation and decay time measurements, optical absorption, and laser performance studies over the temperature range 15 - 450 K. Spectroscopic results will be modeled within the framework of crystal field theory to derive crystal field strength parameters, electron-phonon coupling strengths, and luminescence quenching activation energies. The results of the modeling will be used to derive structure/property relations which can guide the optimization of selected materials to achieve better laser performance. Educational components include: a new course in optical spectroscopy and new experiments for an advanced graduate laboratory; and activities to increase student participation in research from K-12 through the graduate level. This project aims to increase the skilled work force in an important field of optoelectronics with a special emphasis on enhancing the participation of underrepresented students. %%% The project addresses research and education issues in a topical area of materials science having high technological relevance. The research will contribute basic materials science knowledge at a fundamental level to photonic materials. An important feature of the program is the emphasis on education, and on the integration of research and education through the training of students in a fundamentally and technologically significant research area with a special emphasis on participation of underrepresented students. ***
