NRL Nonlinear Dynamics of Partially Coherent Beams
Research explores how partially coherent light beams behave in nonlinear materials like air and water, aiming to control light by understanding randomness.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
NRC Research Associateship Programs has archived this opportunity.
Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: May 1, 2025 (Application Deadline)
Funding Amounts: $99,200 stipend plus $3,000 travel allowance; typical fellowship duration 2-3 years
Summary: Postdoctoral fellowship to study the nonlinear dynamics of partially coherent optical beams in nonlinear media, combining experimental and theoretical approaches to advance optical beam control.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents; requires Ph.D. earned within last 5 years; relocation and health insurance benefits included.
Description
This postdoctoral research opportunity at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) focuses on the fundamental behavior of partially coherent optical beams as they interact and propagate through nonlinear media such as air and water. The research lies at the intersection of nonlinear optics and statistical optics, addressing key topics including optical self-focusing, modulation instabilities, and frequency generation.
Experimental work involves building a coherence function generator and wave statistics diagnostics, while theoretical efforts will use ensemble simulations of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation with in-house computational codes. The goal is to understand how nonlinear effects interplay with field fluctuations and correlations to mitigate randomness and develop novel methods for controlling optical beams.
Keywords associated with this opportunity include nonlinear optics, statistical optics, partially coherent light, self-focusing, high power lasers, and ultrashort pulse lasers.
