9724813 Van Stryland This U.S.-Mexico award will support Prof. Eric Van Stryland of the University of Central Florida in a research collaboration with Prof. Mehrdad Mohebi of the Applied Physics Division of CICESE (Center for Scientific Research of Ensenada) in Ensenada, Mexico. The researchers intend to enhance the sensitivity of current laser methods for measuring both the non-linear refraction and absorption coefficients of materials. This will allow them to greatly expand the number of materials that can be studied for non- linear all-optical switching applications and, specifically, develop a computer controlled, fully automated improved scan techniques for routine measurement of optical properties of materials. The research will combine the CICESE Center's expertise in modeling propagation of laser beams in non-linear materials with experimental resources in Florida. The results from this research will have immediate applicability to the study of organic materials useful in the development of ultra-fast switching applications. ***
