For students

Supervisor: dr hab. Paweł Głuchowski, prof. ILT&SR PAS

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Description:

The rapid development of Nd³⁺:YAG based lasers has created a growing demand for efficient and stable saturable absorbers, particularly Cr⁴⁺:YAG materials used for ultrashort pulse generation. Although single crystals of this type have been known and utilized for decades, their properties are still not fully optimized. Limitations such as residual absorption and efficient non-radiative relaxation pathways remain significant technological challenges. This indicates the presence of untapped potential in engineering the local environment of Cr⁴⁺ optical centers.

The proposed PhD project focuses on understanding and controlling the relationship between the local structure of the (CrO₄)^6- center and its spectroscopic and laser properties. Special emphasis will be placed on the influence of structural distortions, symmetry, and lattice interactions on absorption and energy relaxation processes. In contrast to conventional single crystals, nanoceramic materials open entirely new opportunities by enabling precise control over microstructure, defects, and the local environment of active ions, allowing for the rational design of optical properties.

One of the key research directions during the PhD will be the use of pressure effects (either external or internally generated at the microstructural level) to modify the geometry of Cr⁴⁺ centers. This approach provides a unique opportunity to “tune” energy levels, absorption bandwidths, and the efficiency of non-radiative processes—parameters that are critical for the performance of pulsed lasers.

The PhD candidate will be involved in the full research cycle, from the synthesis of nanoceramic laser materials, through advanced structural and spectroscopic characterization, to the analysis of physical mechanisms governing the observed properties. This position offers more than standard laboratory work, it provides an opportunity to conduct research at the interface of advanced materials engineering and solid-state physics, aiming to redefine the performance limits of pulsed laser materials. The project also offers the potential to contribute to the development of next-generation photonic materials and to publish results in high-impact scientific journals.