The activities and development of the Molecular Physics Laboratory and diversification of the
research activities have reached the level at which grouping of well defined interdisciplinary
research units, takes place naturally. This stage of laboratory’s evolution is reflected in the
initiation of new projects in the fields of: Molecular physics, Physics and applications of
nanostructures and Photonics research.
Therefore the conditions for transformation of present Molecular Physics Laboratory into a
new Department are reached, having in mind that it will comprise and unify few laboratories
dedicated to basic and applied research of molecular structures and spectroscopy, physics and
application of nanomaterials and photonics.
Presently we launch the initiative for establishing the “Interdisciplinary photonics research
laboratory”, the proposal of which is enclosed. This will be followed by complementary
proposal for other laboratories.
Proposal for establishment of
THE INTERDISCIPLINARY PHOTONIC RESEARCH LABORATORY (IPRL)
at the Rudjer Boskovic Institute
Executive summary
1. Mission
To perform state-of-the-art fundamental and applied research in the field of photonics and
environmental (air/sea) optics, as well as the application of knowledge of photonics
technologies in development of methods and instrumentation for the environmental
research and monitoring, application of photonics to the material science and to the
modification of surface properties, and application of photonics in medical sciences.
2. Opportunity
Three corner stones providing the opportunity to establish IPRL are:
- Supported policy to establish new laboratories within the framework of reconstruction
of the RBI (in compliance with RBI Vision 2004).
- Existing need for the interdisciplinary photonics laboratory in the Republic of Croatia.
- Existence of necessary knowledge and experience as a core of the future photonics
laboratory in RBI within the project 0098029, supported by the Croatian Ministry of
Science and Technology.
3. Competitive sustainable advantage
-
Competent knowledge in photonics, laser-matter interaction and environmental optics,
hands-on- experience in R&D of sophisticated optoelectronic instrumentation, as well
as R&D project management exist within the core group.
1
-
Good scientific environment, working premises and infrastructure exist within RBI
Established links and scientific/technical cooperation with relevant partners
(organizations and institutions) and potential customers already exist.
4. Present status of photonics R&D in the Republic of Croatia
-
-
-
Globally, photonics represent one of major R&D fields, and photonics market is one
of the fastest growing.
Interdisciplinary approach appears to be crucial for the future progress in
environmental, medical and material sciences, in which photonics plays the key role.
Presently, there exist no similar laboratories in the Republic of Croatia.
The photonics and optical research in the Republic of Croatia, in comparison to that in
EU are at low point, due to inefficient support and negligence.
There is a need for proposed laboratory to complement the existing environmental
research and monitoring conducted in Croatia by various institutions (including
divisions of RBI), and supported by international or EU projects.
There is also a need to implement photonics technology in a much broader and
advanced level than dominating at present in the field of materials research and
medicine.
Interest to establish the proposed laboratory could be expected from The Ministry of
Defense, The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Ministry of Health (the
Croatian Institution for Radiation Protection).
5. Policies and Strategies:
Research
- Establishment and maintenance of excellence in research
- Expansion and diversification of research areas through international cooperation and
acquirement of externally financed projects/contracts, and joint ventures.
Quality
- Establishment and maintenance of high quality of research and operation standards
(in compliance with HRN EN 17025) as well as application of good laboratory praxis
in the research work.
Staff
- Starting with the core group, the increase of staff through novice training (Ms and
Ph.D. degrees) and selection of candidates.
Equipment acquirement and purchase
- The purchase of new equipment limited to (preferably) multipurpose equipment
- The purchase of second- hand equipment when appropriate
- Temporary borrow of specific project/cooperation related equipment
Financial
- Starting with financing from the Ministry of Science and Technology,
gradual increase of financing from external sources (international and
domestic).
Cooperation with University
-Active involvement in the educational process at undergraduate and graduate studies.
2
-Introduction of photonics studies at the University of Zagreb on the level comparable
to that in other EU countries.
6. The operating plan
5.1 Scope and objectives
The Interdisciplinary photonics research laboratory conducts basic research
directed toward potential applications of optics and photonics, and applied
research, in the fields of environmental, material and medical sciences
including special segments of military photonics applications.
o
o
o
o
Objectives:
Photonics in the environmental sciences
Studies and monitoring of seawater and atmosphere by using the existing, and
newly developed photonics and optical methods.
Characterization and quantification of relevant processes (radiative transfer,
material transport, aggregation, biological production etc.) and their dynamics.
Determination of inherent and apparent optical properties of seawater, and
detection, quantification, and characterization of dispersed/dissolved material.
Development of new research methods and instrumentation.
Photonics in the material sciences
Absorptive laser-matter interactions will be used to modify surface properties
of metals, alloys and plastics, as well as of layered and multilayered systems.
Nonlinear and nonequilibrium process on solid surfaces that result in the
formation of self-organized structures (SO) will be studied.
Analysis of surface pattern formation, phenomena and SO structures; detection
of their topological complexity and underlying dynamics, determination of
parameters of the surface shear layer, will enable physical description of
processes present in the pulsed LMI on short time scale but understanding of
their technological role, as well.
Photonics interactions of picosecond and femtosecond pulses with matter, and
the study of ultrafast phenomena.
Photonics in the medical sciences
Use of photonics technologies for diagnostics and treatment in dentistry and
medicine. Study of laser-tissue interaction.
5.2 Methods
Photonics in the environmental sciences
Theoretical methods include, but are not limited to the application of classical
and advanced scattering theories (Mie, T-matrix etc), radiative transfer theory,
Monte Carlo simulations and advanced optical design.
Experimental methods include measurement of inherent and apparent optical
properties (coefficients of absorption, scattering and backscattering, volume
3
scattering functions) fluorescence spectra, PSD and dissolved and dispersed
material concentration.
Photonics in the material sciences
Experimental methods are based on the use of ns- laser pulses from: Qswitched Nd: YAG laser, N2 laser XeCl excimer laser and Q-switched ruby
laser. Analyses of surface will be based on the optical and SEM microscopy
(eventually TEM) numerical filtration of the micrographs, microhardness
measurements, and Raman spectroscopy, when appropriate. Method of
theoretical description of SO structures will be based on topological approach,
dynamics of their formation on the hydrodynamic models adequate for
description of coherent turbulent structures like: vortex filaments, braids of
vortex filaments, vortex rings, cellular structures etc.
5.3 Cooperation
5.31. Internal
The cooperation with other departments of RBI in particular Center for
Marine and Environmental Research shall continue and expand.
5.3.2. Domestic
The cooperation with other relevant institutions on mutual projects shall
continue and expand (e.g. The Naval Institute, Ministry of DefenseInstitute of defense studies and R&D, etc.)
5.3.3. International
Recently established contacts with foreign institutions and laboratories
shall be expanded to the level of cooperation on joint projects. Participation
in the ongoing EU programs of the ocean and environmental research is
anticipated.
7. Organization/structure
7.1. Staff
Starting with the core group of three researchers, the increase of laboratory staff
through the novice training (MS and Ph.D. degrees) and selection of candidates:
- two novices in the first year
- two novices in the second/third year
Further increase according to the declared policies and strategies
7.2. Premises
Premises comprise the staff workrooms and dedicated laboratory space.
In the first stage of laboratory development the staff workrooms are those already used
by the core staff in wings VI and I (project 0098029)
The laboratory space shall be expanded from the initial premises situated in the
basement rooms of the I-wing and through careful redistribution of existing but not
adequately used space available on RBI
7.3. Equipment
The basic equipment comprises, but is not limited to: frequency doubled pulsed Qswitched Nd:YAG laser and tunable (Ti:saphire) laser, fiber optic spectroscopic UV-
4
VIS-NIR system (Ocean Optics), adequate power and energy meters and detectors,
AC-9, and HydroScat -6 scattering/transmission meters. .
Some of this equipment is scheduled to be bought through the existing project, some
could be acquired through possible cooperation and the rest should be bought.
Acquisition of femtosecond laser, fast detection system and optical table is also
planned.
8. Financing
Establishment of the laboratory and purchase of basic equipment is to be funded by
RBI within framework of restructuring and establishment of new labs.
Basic financing of the laboratory operation in the first stage is from the Ministry of
Science and Technology (MST).
Further purchases of equipment are to be financed partially from contracts/projects
with the third parties and partially from the (MST) according to the declared policy
and strategies.
Estimated costs needed to furnish the main equipment for the proposed laboratory:
Frequency doubled and quadrupled Nd:YAG LAB-130-10 laser:
$60,000.00
Inherent optical properties measurement suite (attenuation and absorption at nine
wavelengths + spectral backscattering meter)
$55,000.00
ECO-BB2-Spectral backscattering meter and chlorophyll fluorometer
$ 7,000.00
a-beta optical backscattering and absorption meter (6 wavelengths)
$ 9,000.00
Opolette tunable laser system (410nm-2.4m) Type I
$40,000.00
Fiber optic spectrometer/fluorometer UV-VIS-NIR
$ 4,000.00
Laser power meter/energy meter
$ 6,000.00
Storage oscilloscope
$10,000.00
Optical and optoelectronic components
$10,000.00
Supporting software
$ 4,000.00
Vibration isolation tabletop systems
$10,000.00
Diode pumped YAG laser (200W)
$80,000.00
Total:
$295,000.00
9. Dynamics
Starting with year 2003 the proposed interdisciplinary photonics laboratory is expected
to be established in the interval of 3-5 years.
Purchase of the equipment and deployment will follow the financial support.
The staff buildup shall start with two scientific novices for period 2003-2005
10. Effects
Establishment of basic and applied research of photonics, thus fulfilling the existing scientific
and technological gap in the republic of Croatia.
Opening of new directions of research and development, as well as providing the
support for industrial, environmental, medical and other fields.
Modernization of educational program in photonics
5
Establishment of new, presently nonexistent connections between the Rudjer Bošković
Institute, universities, industry and government bodies in relevant fields of activity.
Establishment of internationally recognizable research subjects and scientific
connections with other countries.
Zagreb, November 15, 2002.
Voditelj LMF
Dr. sc. Krešimir Furić
Dr. sc. Stjepan Lugomer
6