This award will support cooperative research between Dr. George Sigel, Rutgers University and Professor Jacques Lucas, University of Rennes-Beaulieu, France. The objective of this project is to develop new glasses and fiber optics waveguides based on halide compositions. The joint program will include work on the new chalcohalide glasses for use in the extended infrared, as well as new approaches for preparation of the more well-known heavy metal halides. The investigators will also focus on the assessment of potential waveguide materials for use in the 8 to 14um range with specific interest at 10.6um, as well as the evaluation of these materials for specialized applications, such as laser hosts with selected rare earth dopants for glass activation. Both the U.S. and French laboratories have significant expertise in the proposed research area. The University of Rennes carried out leading work in the areas of halide glass chemistry, as well as in glass synthesis and characterization. Rutgers has strong capabilities in the areas of the fiber drawing of non-oxide glasses, the optical characterization of these waveguides and their use in newly emerging applications. The results of this joint work should make an important contribution to optical glass fiber research.
