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The Optics and
Photonics Group builds upon RMD's historic strength in high-speed
and low light level detection. We have assembled a team
with broad expertise in optics and photonics and take a
systems approach, custom designing photonic components and
building instrumentation that integrates cutting edge detection
technologies with creative optical designs that meet the
needs of critical applications in optical medicine, defense,
terrorism threat reduction, and environmental protection.
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Photonic
Detectors and Emitters
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RMD is a leader in Avalanche
Photodiode (APD) and Solid
State Photomultiplier innovation and production. Using
our in-house fabrication capabilities, the Optics and Photonics
Group continues to explore new fabrication approaches for
enhanced wavelength response, speed and sensitivity, including
the recent development of the highest reported responsivity
for a silicon-based device at 1064nm. RMD specializes in
the integration of advanced detector technologies into new
applications, including medical imaging, biological detection
and identification, long-range optical communications, and
laser ranging and imaging. In addition, in collaboration
with RMD's Materials
Science Group our scientists are developing new transparent/optical
ceramics for high power and high thermal conductivity laser
applications.
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Biomedical Sensing and Imaging
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Scientists in RMD's Optics
and Photonics group exploit the ability of near infrared
light to penetrate human tissue to develop new instruments
which address critical problems in human medicine.
Current projects include:
- High Resolution Retinal Imaging
- Breast Cancer Multimode Hybrid Imaging combining MRI
with diffuse luminescence tomography (DLI)
- Nanoprobes for Targeted and Contrast Enhanced Deep
Tissue DLI
- Singlet Oxygen Mapping during Photodynamic Therapy
- Personal Hypoxia Point-of-Care Monitoring for Military
Pilots
Personal Hypoxia monitoring systems as point-of-care
Our group works closely with
leading centers in Medicine and Biomedical Engineering including:
Dartmouth College, The Massachusetts General Hospital, The
University of Michigan, Columbia University, Oklahoma State,
Washington University in St. Louis, University of California
at Berkeley, and Harvard University. Our goal is to develop
point-of-care instrumentation which enables physicians to
more accurately diagnose and treat patients as well monitor
the progression of treatment.
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High Sensitivity
Materials Characterization and Detection Spectroscopy
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Applications in environmental
health, energy, pollution control, and homeland security
are demanding highly accurate and in many cases stand-off
measurement of very low concentrations of molecules. Scientists
at RMD's Optics and Photonics group are meeting this challenge
with advanced approaches to Raman Scattering Spectroscopy,
and Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS).
Remote Sensing Based upon Raman Spectroscopy
RMD scientists have demonstrated
the commercial use of Raman Spectroscopy for environmental
monitoring of pollution impact sources such as power plants
and automobiles as well as explosives monitoring for homeland
security.
Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)
LIBS is an extremely simple
and powerful tool for stand-off elemental analysis of soil,
water and gases and biomedical samples. The formation of
laser-induced plasma produces a localized spark of atomic
emissions. Collection of the plasma's spectral signature
with a lens or optical fiber allows examination for elemental
components of diverse materials. Using RMD's extremely sensitive
Geiger-mode APDs coupled to an echelle spectrometer in conjunction
with advanced data analysis algorithms, RMD's scientists
have been exploring ways to make LIBS more commercially
viable for application in a broad spectrum of fields including:
- Stand-off explosives detection
- Hazardous waste clean-up
- Pollution monitoring
- Individual exposure to hazardous metals
- Industrial processing monitoring
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Single Molecule
Detection, Nanotechnology, and Super-resolution Microscopy
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RMD's Optics and Photonics
Group pursues photonics research at the single molecule
level. Our scientists have exploited both fluorescence and
Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) to study single
molecules. We have developed dual fluorescence wavelength
cross-correlation spectroscopy instrumentation to measure
the dynamics of individual molecules and how they interact
with their environment. We are also exploring the combination
of optical and atomic force microscopy to shatter the classical
diffraction resolution limit. Our scientists are also actively
involved in using and developing new forms of nanoparticles
as tools for targeting and imaging specific tumors as part
of our biomedical imaging effort.
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Light Detection
and Ranging (LIDAR)
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The Optics and Photonics
Group continues to expand on its long-term experience with
LIDAR technology. Many of these projects exploit technology
developed to study human tissue extending it to other forms
of diffuse media such deep water and dusty environments.
Our group works closely with the US Navy, US Air Force,
Raytheon, the Missile Defense Agency and Munro
Ranging in developing hybrid LIDAR-RADAR heterodyne
and equivalent time sampling techniques for navigation and
vehicle awareness instrumentation for military and space
applications.
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