Pioneering a New Field of Physics & New Technologies

"We've basically started a new field and a new domain of physics," says Gerard Mourou, director of the Center for Ultrafast Optics (CUOS) and the A. D. Moore Distinguished University Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Since it was established in 1991, more than $20 million in funding from the National Science Foundation, the State of Michigan and the UM has supported work by CUOS scientists based on ultrashort-pulsed laser technology with applications in high-speed communications, manufacturing, and biological imaging.

CUOS lasers are based on a revolutionary concept called chirped pulse amplification (CPA), developed by Mourou. CPA makes possible terawatt peak power laser pulses up to 10,000 times more powerful than previously possible. Focussing this power on a spot smaller than the width of a human hair produces conditions comparable to that found in stars or near a "black hole," conditions of great interest to physicists.

One of 24 NSF Science and Technology Centers in the U.S., CUOS is the only NSF center for lasers and is viewed by the science community as the leader in ultrafast optics. CUOS scientists have developed laser systems to study ultrashort reactions at the atomic and molecular levels, and have found novel applications for these systems in areas as diverse as manufacturing and medicine. In addition, CUOS has partnerships with more than 20 companies from the optical, electronic, chemical, automotive, imaging, and medical industries.

Mourou cites the Center's research in isotope separation and radiography as but two important innovations. "Currently, the best mammography equipment, for instance, can identify a mass of about one-half micrometer in diameter. We can have a resolution 50 times that," says Mourou. The next step in developing such innovative technologies is working with companies who have the means to get this important new technology to the marketplace.

The University has applied for and received several patents related to ultrafast lasers, and the Center is collaborating with three Ann Arbor-based companies to further develop these technologies.

"As a direct result of the work being done here, three new companies-- IntraLase, Picometrix, and Clark/MXR-- are active and growing," says Peter Pronko, associate director for Industry Liaison for the Center and a research scientist in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Mourou and Pronko note that these Ann Arbor-based companies have created about 100 jobs, including several Ph.D.-level positions.

When Ron Kurtz, assistant professor of ophthalmology, and a team of scientists from CUOS and the UM Medical School's Kellogg Eye Center developed a high-precision laser for eye surgery, a new patentÑand, later, IntraLase CorporationÑwere born. IntraLase is involved in ultrafast laser applications in medical areas, primarily ophthalmology and dermatology. The laser that the team developed can perform surgical procedures within the transparent cornea of the eyeÑsomething not possible with previous laser technologyÑand is considered more precise, faster, and less invasive than current procedures.

IntraLase purchased the patent and will commercialize the technology. In January, IntraLase received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for a special application in vision correction surgery. "Considering that about 50% of the public wears glasses, this will be a huge market, and the benefits for the general public will be tremendous," says Mourou.

Clark/MXR develops and sells sophisticated communications micromachining programs for industry; one of the partners, Philippe Bado, is a former postdoctoral student at CUOS. Today, the company has 25 employees and conducts about $4 million a year in business. Picometrix specializes in ultrafast photo detector devices that convert optical signals to electric signals for telecommunications applications and instrument testing devices.

CUOS brings the kind of research and development mentoring that occurs in the laboratory to K-12 students as well. For the past five years, the Center's Educational Outreach section has run high school academic mentoring programs and weekly hands-on science clubs for almost 1,000 children. CUOS also runs a Web site for the Southeastern Michigan Math-Science Learning Coalition that promotes math and science literacy. (Web site: www.eecs.umich.edu/mathscience/)

"The NSF embarked on a unique program with us 12 years ago," says Pronko. "The STC is clearly a visionary program with three goals: research, technology transfer, and K-12 educational outreach. The Center has risen to the challenge. Our next challenge will be to redefine ourselves in 2002 when NSF funding comes to an end."

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