9218494 Taflove This project seeks to develop novel three-dimensional time-domain algorithms for optical pulse propagation, scattering, and switching (including femtosecond pulses) using the full vector nonlinear time-domain Maxwell's equations, with specific applications of glass and semiconductor materials. Algorithms will be implemented on supercomputers of the class of the Cray C-90 or Cray T3D. One algorithm to be explored involves solving a time-domain system of ordinary differential equations for the bandgap physics of semiconductor materials concurrently with the time-domain vector Maxwell's equations. This algorithm could permit detailed modeling of the pulse dynamics of passive and active optical and electrooptic devices including switches and laser sources. A second approach of interest involves applying computational fluid dynamics techniques for tracking shock waves to model possible optical shock waves in nonlinear media. Overall, the project will develop and apply novel time-domain algorithms to explore the dynamics of a variety of optical wave species in nonlinear media in three dimensions, including "light bullets" and shocked-wave optical pulses. These may exhibit favorable properties with respect to all-optical switching at relatively low laser power levels because of unique properties arising form their temporal and spatial confinement or shocked carrier, respectively. There would exist potential engineering applications in the realization of novel ultra-fast sub-millimeter- size all-optical digital logic elements operation at low laser power levels. ***
