| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/T25590/01 |
| Title: |
Intelligent Mid-Infrared Light Sources: Towards Coherent Control of Molecular Vibrational Motion |
| Principal Investigator: |
Shepherd, Professor DP |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Optoelectronics Research Ctr (closed) |
| Organisation: |
University of Southampton |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 July 2004 |
Ends: |
30 June 2005 |
Value (£): |
56,631
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Optical Communications |
Optical Devices & Subsystems |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Coherent control (CC) of quantum phenomena offers exciting opportunities to physicists, chemists and biologists for the manipulation of solid-state and molecular systems by using shaped ultrashort laser pulses to excite the system. Theoretical design of optimal pulse shapes for molecular excitation is possible for only the simplest of molecular systems. So an emerging technique involves the exploitation of optimal control theory to achieve optimal pulse shape, by using the experimental output in the optimization process. Although a limited number of successful demonstrations of adaptive, optimal CC have been carried out in the near-infrared, a practical method for generating broadband, adaptively shaped, femtosecond pulse systems in the midinfrared in order to directly control state-selective vibrational motion of molecules has been an elusive goal.High-fidelity, pulse-shaping schemes exist for wavelengths ranging from the visible to the near-infrared, however, direct arbitrary pulse shaping of light in other parts of the spectrum is difficult. The specific aim of this feasibility study is to assess the potential of high-fidelity transfer of arbitrary pulse shapes from the pump to the idler of a synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillator. In addition, we will implement 'closed-loop', adaptive control of idler pulse shape from parametric processes using a genetic algorithm to demonstrate the capabilities of this type of source for adaptive, optimal CC applications.The ultimate aim of this area of investigation is to apply high-intensity, intelligent mid-infrared light sources and technologies to molecular systems to discover which pulse shapes create the largest vibrations and to use these optimal pulse shapes to drive conformational change in proteins and other large molecules of biological interest.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.soton.ac.uk |