Moravian College seeks to add novel experiments in nonlinear optics to its physics curriculum; in addition, the fabrication of the nonlinear optical materials will add an important material-science component to both the physics and chemistry curricula. Recently developed polymer composites that exhibit photorefractive nonlinear optical properties have been fabricated at Moravian College; our goal is to merge the synthesis of these materials into the organic chemistry lab the study of their thermal and material properties into the physical chemistry lab, and the study of their nonlinear optical properties into the optics lab. Novel experiments in optics will include the generation and probing of dynamic diffraction grating, the study of laser beam coupling via propagation through a grating, the storage and retrieval of optical images in nonlinear optical materials, and the study of optical oscillators with photorefractive amplifying elements. Students in chemistry courses will synthesize the polymer composites used by the optics students and have an opportunity to learn how material and physical properties of the composite are by changes in their components. Organic students will study the relationship of the chromophore structure to its UV-Vis spectrum, and physical chemistry students will examine the phase behavior of the components in the polymer matrix. The equipment requested in this proposal will allow Moravian College to establish a suite of experiments in physics and chemistry that explore nonlinear optical behavior and its relationship to material properties.
