The project DT-CRYS aims at the systematic study of double tungstate crystals for different applications. Special attention will be given to the unique multifunctional properties of double tungstates.
Members of the double tungstate crystal family will be synthesized and manufactured in different geometries, with emphasis on nano-crystalline, bulk, thin-film, planar- and channel-waveguide, and nano-periodic photonic band-gap structures. The fundamental structural, thermo-mechanical and damage-resistivity, magnetic, optical, nonlinear-optical and waveguiding properties will be studied. Doping and codoping with various rare-earth ions up to the stoichiometric compositions and spectroscopy of these ions in double tungstates will be performed.
Studies into the various applications of these multifunctional materials will span the range from high-power diode-pumped, highly efficient solid-state bulk, thin-film and waveguide lasers, ultrafast lasers, nano-crystalline and photonic band-gap devices, second- and third-order nonlinear optical devices, optical cooling through anti-Stokes fluorescence, magnetic cooling through adiabatic demagnetization and scintillating particle detectors to applications that combine several of these features in a single device, such as self-frequency-doubled and Raman lasers or optically cooled high-power lasers.
By tailoring the composition, doping, and geometry of the devices, we will be able to realize highly efficient, compact, reliable and inexpensive tools for implementation in material processing, medicine, biology, and defence-related applications.
A consortium with six academic and three industrial partners (SMEs) from six European countries, all with extensive experience and international recognition but complementary skills and tasks in the project, has been designed to fulfil the above program.