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Ultrafast Nanophotonics Group
Group Leader: Alan D. Bristow

Nonlinear & Quantum Optics

THz generation by optical rectification in Zinc Germanium Diphosphide measured by time-domain electro-optic sampling. The inset shows the power transform to frequency comparing the result to GaAs.

Nonlinear optics is integral part of our groups research portfolio because it is essential to ultrafast light-matter interactions, providing new tools such as frequency conversion and novel mechanisms to control light through its interaction with matter and vice versa. Moreover, nonlinear optics can also be used to rearrange light energy and the photon statistics in order to generate quantum light sources. The sources can power future applications in quantum information technology. 

Frequency Conversion  work started with the exploration of nonlinear optical coefficients in industry critical media, such as silicon. and generation of terahertz radiation through optical rectification in highly nonlinear crystals, such as ZnGeP 2 and other chalcopyrite structures, in collaboration with BAE Systems. We have also examined novel materials for higher-order nonlinear effects. Finally, we have used the terahertz radiation to explore materials' transport properties of solids.

Quantum light source  work is a joint project with Prof. Ned Flagg in the Semiconductor Quantum Optics Group at WVU. We have several students working on this project to make sources for neuroscience applications and the two-photon imaging facilities on campus.