Prof. Abraham Katzir, Tel Aviv University

Date: May 06, 2007

Title: Infrared Transmitting Silver Halide Fibers and
Their Applications

Abstract: 
There is a wide interest in the development of optical fibers for the
mid - IR (i.e. 3-30 m).  AgClBr crystals were extruded in our
laboratory to form fibers, which are flexible, non-toxic,
non-hygroscopic and highly transparent in the mid-IR.  These silver
halide fibers made it possible to carry out advanced research and
development, which will be discussed in this talk:
(1)  Non - contact fiberoptic thermometry. 
(2) Laser power transmission through IR fibers (e.g. laser cutting or
heating).
(3)  Laser bonding of tissues - clinical studies.
(4)  Fiberoptic evanescent wave spectroscopy and its applications: 
a.	Environmental protection (e.g. monitoring of pollution in soil). 
b.	Homeland Security (e.g. online monitoring of poisons in water).
c.	Early diagnosis of diseases, such as cancer - clinical studies. 
d.	Phase transition measurements (e.g. water/ice).
 (5)  Periodic structures of IR Fibers:
a.   Thermal imaging through ordered bundles of fibers.
b.   Novel photonic crystal fibers.
(6) Single mode fibers for mid - IR astronomy (e.g. the search for
extraterrestrial life).
(7) Doped AgClBr crystals and fibers for mid - IR amplifiers and
lasers (e.g. countermeasures against shoulder launched missiles).
(8) Near-field scanning mid-IR microscopy with a sub-wavelength
resolution (e.g. the study of individual living cells or of individual
components in integrated electronic circuits).