Maser's Birthday, the Breath of Disease, and Measuring Mercury; New Research Findings to Be Presented at 2004 CLEO/IQEC Conference.

Business Editors

CLEO 2004

WASHINGTON, D.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 10, 2004

The 2004 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics/International Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/IQEC) -- a leading conference showcasing new results in laser science, quantum optics, and related fields -- will take place May 16-21 at the Moscone Center West, San Francisco, CA. This year's meeting will feature breakthroughs in NASA technologies, medical imaging, homeland security technology and many other areas. With a prestigious history as the conference where the laser itself was launched, the meeting is jointly sponsored by the Optical Society of America (OSA), the American Physical Society (APS), and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers/Lasers and Electro-Optics Society (IEEE/LEOS).

This year, the co-sponsors have introduced a new meeting to be collocated with the conference, PhAST -- Photonic Applications Systems and Technologies. PhAST is a new event presenting the latest breakthroughs in photonic applications, systems and technologies. This inaugural conference includes sessions on lasers in manufacturing and photonics in national security, and special symposia in the areas of biophotonics instrumentation, photonics in nanotechnology and semiconductor photonics commercialization. PhAST is May 17-20 at Moscone Center West, San Francisco, CA (www.phastconference.org).

SPECIAL SESSIONS

--  The featured plenary session (Wednesday, May 19, 8 a.m.) will
    explore the history of the maser and future applications for
    technology; presentations on optics and photonics in bioscience;
    and optical metrology. The session also includes an award ceremony
    to honor significant achievements in the industry, leaders in the
    field and students who have made strong contributions to the
    science of optics and photonics.

    --  Anthony Siegman, a professor at Stanford University, is an
        expert on lasers and optical devices and their applications,
        especially laser beams and resonators. His keynote
        presentation will discuss the maser, its discovery and
        development, as well as its future applications.

    --  Thomas Baer, President and CEO of Arcturus, the leader in
        Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM) and reagent systems for
        microgenomics, is a pioneer in many areas of biotechnology,
        laser development, and laser applications. His talk will focus
        on resolving the molecular puzzle of cancer using laser
        microdissection and microgenomics.

    --  Theodor Hansch, executive director of the Max-Planck-Institute
        for Quantum Optics in Germany, is widely credited with
        pioneering the optical frequency comb for metrology. Over the
        years he has invented or developed many new spectroscopic
        techniques using the laser, effectively ushering in the modern
        age of laser spectroscopy.

--  Fifty Years of Quantum Electronics: A joint symposium to celebrate
    the 50th anniversary of the invention of the maser. Speakers
    include: Nobel laureates Nicolaas Bloembergen and Norman Ramsey,
    Harvard University; Nobel laureate Charles H. Townes, University
    of California at Berkeley; Yuri M. Popov, Lebedev Physical
    Institute in Russia; Alexander Manenkov, Russian Academy of
    Sciences; and Koichi Shimoda, University of Tokyo. Monday, May 17,
    2004 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. in Room 3016. A session covering
    applications of the maser immediately precedes the session.

--  The current state and latest developments of single-photon
    sources, detectors and applications.

--  The latest and most exciting efforts to use light for studies and
    control of the spin properties of semiconductors, magnetic metal
    films, quantum dots and other nanoparticles.

--  Nonlinear optical phenomena in photonic crystals, waveguide or
    fiber arrays, and optically induced lattices.

--  A new generation of compact, ultrafast and energetic radiation
    sources driven by high-intensity, short-pulse laser systems. By
    combining ultrahigh spatial resolution with ultrahigh temporal
    resolution, these sources open new avenues on the frontier of
    ultrafast science.

NEWS BRIEFS: A PREVIEW OF NEW RESEARCH TO BE PRESENTED

In 2004, CLEO/IQEC experienced a 28% increase in submitted papers, showcasing the latest developments within laser science. The following news briefs describe some of the many technical highlights at the meeting. For the full abstract of any of these papers or for more information on the conference's program, visit the CLEO/IQEC Web site at http://www.cleoconference.org/Conference_Program/ or for complete papers, contact Colleen Morrison (202-416-1437, [e-mail]) or Elizabeth Bowen (410-821-8220 or [e-mail]).

SEEING THE BREATH OF DISEASE

Equipped with the latest advances in optics, researchers are setting their sights on carbonyl sulfide (COS), a molecule that has importance in both the atmosphere and in medicine. In the atmosphere, carbonyl sulfide may contribute to ozone depletion. In the body, elevated COS concentrations in exhaled breath have been implicated in liver disease as well as in lung-transplant patients who suffer from acute rejection of the transplanted organ.

Currently, diagnosing lung-transplant rejection requires a biopsy. A non-invasive breath diagnosis would be very desirable, but detecting the typically parts-per-billion levels of the molecule in the patients is very challenging. Now, Gerard Wysocki and his colleagues at Rice University have built a new detection system that can detect the COS molecule at very low levels.

The centerpiece of the system is a quantum cascade laser, a device that generates laser light in a part of the spectrum known as the mid-infrared. COS molecules absorb light in a unique part of the mid-infrared spectrum and thereby can reveal their molecular "fingerprint." In the setup, a patient first exhales some breath into a small gas cell. Then, the (cascade) laser shines precisely tuned infrared light through the cell. COS molecules absorb light in the exact part of the spectrum where the laser is tuned. The detection system records the amount of absorption, and this determines the concentration of the molecules in the breath.

The researchers have performed some preliminary tests of the system in human breath samples. Having demonstrated a sensitivity of a part per billion, they are hoping to build a prototype medical device with their technology. Such a system would be reasonably priced for a hospital, at about $30,000. "Quantum cascade laser spectrometer for trace-gas detection of exhaled Carbonyl Sulfide," Paper CTuP60

CATCHING DEFECTS IN SPACE SHUTTLE FOAM

Investigators believe the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster resulted from loosened fuel-tank insulation foam hitting a shuttle wing at high speeds. However, it has been difficult to inspect shuttle foam without damaging it or the fuel tank that it protects.

Now, X.-C. Zhang of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and his colleagues, in collaboration with scientists from NASA Langley Research Center and Lockheed Martin Space Systems, have used terahertz radiation -- a form of light in the far infrared part of the spectrum -- to detect small defects in samples of space shuttle foam. If shuttle launches are to continue, this technique could help NASA examine the insulating foam prior to shuttle liftoffs.

In their experiment, the researchers tested four foam samples made by Lockheed Martin Space Systems. They looked for two types of foam defects: air bubbles (called "voids") and de-lams, which are separations between layers of foam or between a layer of foam and the aluminum fuel-tank base. Scanning the foam with terahertz waves, the researchers could catch both types of defects. For samples with simple structures, they found all the defects buried in the foam. For a sample with complicated structures, they found 49 defects out of 57 in the materials, with the terahertz waves being unable to reach only three of the flaws. Recently, NASA has announced that terahertz imaging has been selected as one of two technologies for inspecting the insulation foam for any future shuttle launches. "T-Rays Identify Defects in Insulating Materials," Paper CMB2

MEASURING MERCURY'S SURFACE AND INTERIOR

How will scientists measure the topography of Mercury? Developers of the Mercury Laser Altimeter answer this question as the spacecraft is readied for launch in August 2004.

Once the spacecraft begins orbiting this hot and dense planet, the laser altimeter will transmit laser pulses towards the planet's surface and four large cones will collect the photons reflected off Mercury's surface. The topography of the planet is determined from the laser pulse time-of-flight and the spacecraft orbit position data. The innovative 4-cone receiver optics design helps maintain focus under large and rapid temperature change as the spacecraft travels from the dark and cold side of Mercury to the sunny and hot side. Four optical fibers combine the light signal onto a single silicon avalanche photodiode. Xiaoli Sun and colleagues, from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, will report on the successful performance of the altimeter.

The instrument will also allow scientists to better understand the planet's surface geology and interior structure. Small changes in the rate at which Mercury spins on its axis will enable science team members to deduce whether Mercury has a fluid core. The instrument is based on the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter, which mapped the topography of Mars. The MLA instrument weighs 7.3 kilograms (16 pounds) and uses 23 watts of power. It can measure range at sub-meter accuracy to as far as 1000 km.

Understanding Mercury, one of the most extreme rocky planets, will help us understand Earth's topography, development, magnetic field and interaction with the sun. "Design and Performance measurement of the Mercury laser altimeter," Paper CThN3

REAL-TIME IMAGING OF HUMAN SKIN WITH TINY 2-D SCANNER

A team of researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, has built a tiny endoscopic scanner, only 5.5 millimeters across. The scanner combines a 2-D scanning mirror, measuring only 1 millimeter in diameter, with optical coherence tomography. With a resolution of 5 micrometers, this endoscope can scan living tissues and provide real time 3-D images.

Tests at MIT were able to scan the live tissue -- human skin -- in real-time, capturing up to 20 frames per second, with 5-micrometer axial image resolution. The scanner has very high resonant frequency and can scan areas quickly. The main challenge, Dr. Piyawattanametha of UCLA said, was integrating the scanning mirror and the detection optics in a compact package. Previous scanners only had one axis. This new 2-D scanning device has exciting promise for three-dimensional endoscopic OCT imaging.

The team will report the design of the micromechanical endoscopic scanner and the OCT imaging results. These types of MEMS devices, which could be used to image inside the human body with endoscopes, promise to enable more sensitive cancer diagnosis in the future. The project is supported by National Science Foundation's Biophotonics program. "Two-Dimensional Endoscopic MEMS Scanner for High Resolution Optical Coherence Tomography," Paper CWS2

NEW LIGHT FROM GALLIUM ARSENIDE MAY FOSTER HOMELAND SECURITY

The study of intense light interacting with matter -- nonlinear optics -- continues to provide many scientifically interesting and technologically useful effects. Konstantin Vodopyanov of Stanford and his colleagues have built a new nonlinear-optics device, based on gallium arsenide, capable of producing high-power light for numerous applications including many items on the homeland security wish list.

For half a century, scientists have extensively studied gallium arsenide as a potentially faster alternative to conventional silicon for electronics. What's less known, perhaps, is that gallium arsenide (GaAs) has attracted attention as a nonlinear optical material since the beginning of the laser era. Light that enters the material can be efficiently converted into a wide range of different colors (wavelengths). However, to achieve these effects, researchers have to construct specially tailored, difficult-to-build crystal structures of GaAs.

Now, by combining two layer-by-layer crystal growth techniques known as molecular beam epitaxy and hydride vapor phase epitaxy, the researchers have built the first GaAs structure that operates as an optical parametric oscillator. OPOs convert single-color laser light into any of a very wide range of new wavelengths. The new device can produce wavelengths in the entire "fingerprint" region of common molecules (2-17 microns). Other devices, such as quantum cascade lasers, can produce these mid-infrared wavelengths, but the GaAs OPO is more efficient and broadly tunable than those designs. While most quantum cascade lasers must be operated at low temperatures, the new device works at room temperature. These properties, along with its high-power light, are crucial for detecting a wide variety of drugs and explosives.

A GaAs OPO can generate powerful infrared light that aircraft can potentially employ to divert heat-seeking missiles. Moreover, the GaAs OPO can potentially generate the far-infrared light suitable for Terahertz imaging at airport security as well as trace gas detection. Another benefit is that GaAs devices are likely to be reasonably priced, as the material has been widely studied. However, fabrication techniques, such as hydride vapor phase epitaxy, need to be developed further to help bring many of these applications to real-world use. "Optical parametric oscillation in quasi-phasematched GaAs," CTuA1

MEETING PRESSROOM

A pressroom will be located in level two, alcove one (2A1) of Moscone West from May 16 - 20. Reporters wishing to register for the meeting should contact Colleen Morrison of OSA (202-416-1437, [e-mail]) or Elizabeth Bowen of Imre Communications (410-821-8220).

PRESS LUNCHEON

On Tuesday, May 18 at noon, OSA will hold a press luncheon. The press luncheon will convene representatives from the scientific, corporate and analyst communities to discuss the business and science sides of optics, highlight the most intriguing new research in the field, and offer an overarching perspective on significant new developments to be unveiled during CLEO/IQEC and PhAST. The panel will also introduce some of the most promising applications for optical technology and feature speakers on hot topics at the meeting, including presentations by the developers of the Mercury Laser Altimeter, a BioCD, the PhAST Innovation Presentation Award Winner and others. The speakers and location will be announced in a subsequent release. Reporters interested in attending the luncheon should contact Colleen Morrison or Elizabeth Bowen.

ABOUT CLEO/IQEC

As one of the industry's leading events on laser science, the Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics and the International Quantum Electronics Conference is where laser technology was first introduced. CLEO/IQEC combines the strength of peer-reviewed scientific programming with an applications-focused exhibition to showcase the present and future of this technology. Sponsored by the American Physical Society's Laser Science Division, the Institute of Electronic Engineers/Laser and Electro-Optics Society and the Optical Society of America, CLEO/IQEC provides an educational forum, complete with a plenary session, short courses, tutorials, workshops and more, on topics as diverse as its attendee base whose spectrum of interests range from biomedicine to defense to optical communications. For more information, visit the conference's web site at www.cleoconference.org.