Drew Optics Projects

Photorefractive Polymer

Recent projects in the Optics and Laser Lab focus on the fabrication of organic holographic films and the application of these films in holographic data storage devices.  There is also continuing development of innovative undergraduate laboratory experiments in nonlinear optics, laser spectroscopy, and image processing.

Projects in the fabrication of organic holographic films is a relatively young research field, beginning in the early 1990's.  Conventional holography requires either wet-chemical processing of light-sensitive film, or the use of expensive and delicate nonlinear optical crystals.  In 1995 researchers combined a light-sensitive polymer with a dye molecule to produce a holographic film that responded in real-time with no need for chemical developing.  Drew students are fabricating their own film and studying its properties by using laser light to store and retrieve images in the film.

The department is also extensively involved in the development of undergraduate laboratory experiences that teach fundamental physical principles while also exposing students to the technology they will encounter in graduate school or industry.  Many of the experiments under development are photonic in nature, reflecting rapid advances in technology over the past decade.  Several lab experiments are being developed to characterize laser diodes with scanning Fabry-Perot spectroscopy.  As part of a recent NSF-ILI grant, experiments are also under development in the formation of dynamic diffraction gratings in organic nonlinear optical materials.

 Experiment Details - Holgraphic Materials and Images