Members
Dr Peter Baricholo (PI) Laser Development, Dr Temba S Dlodlo Quantum Optics, Mr Valentine T Chabata Fibre Optics, James Jena Master of Philosophy, Nyasha Suliali Master of Philosophy,
James F. Jena is an MPhil research candidate in the Applied Physics Department at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST). He joined the department in 2012 and commenced his studies in 2013. He is a BSc. Hons. holder from the same institution since 2007 and specialises in the field of nonlinear optics research with special interest in photonics, fibers, lasers and their applications. He is currently working on PCF designs and the study of electromagnetic wave propagation through them.
Nyasha earned his BSc Honours degree in Applied Physics in 2010 and has industry experience in the fields of Avionics and Scientific Computing. He specialises in the simulation and development of Optical Coherence Tomography systems operating in the time and frequency domains. He implemented the first OCT system at NUST and presented parts of his research output at the SAIP, Siegman School and SPIE Photonics West conferences
About Us
The Department of Applied Physics launched the first Optics Laboratory at the Bulawayo campus of the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in January 2015. The project is spearheaded by Dr Peter Baricholo who has worked in collaboration with the Academy of Sciences for the developing world (TWAS), Laser Research Institute (LRI), African Laser Center (ALC) and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in various optics projects including the development of carbon dioxide lasers, dielectric barrier discharges, femtosecond laser micro-hole drilling, supercontinuum generation using femtosecond lasers among others. Our current project involves the development of an Optical Coherence Tomography setup as well as simulations of electromagnetic waves propagation in photonic crystal fibers. This has seen us developing a new Postgraduate Optics laboratory. Setup of the laboratory was funded by the NUST Research Board and the ALC and implemented through two Master of Philosophy research projects undertaken by Messrs James Jena and Nyasha Suliali. Outputs from current work have been published in the South African Institute of Physics (SAIP) proceedings and presented at the NUST Annual Research Day, Research and Innovation Output Expo (ZW), ALC Laser Workshop on Spectroscopy, ALC Student Workshop (RSA), Siegman International School on Lasers and the SPIE Photonics West conferences (USA).
Research Projects
Optical Coherence Tomography
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is an emerging optical imaging modality that has wide use in the fields of biomedical imaging, contactless materials characterisation and non-destructive inspections. The micron- scale resolution of this modality, coupled with its non-ionising and non- contact properties have made it today’s leading microstructure topography technique. The research group embarked on the development of an OCT system in 2013 and has made considerable progress in the application of this technology to carry out contactless surface morphometry of high reflectivity optical elements. Development of a spectral domain OCT system commenced with time domain interferometry experiments using single and two-wavelength light sources and proceeded to the use of low coherence sources for spectral interferogram measurements performed in the frequency domain. Depth reflectivities of highly scattering optical elements were computed
using broadband light emitting diodes and surface defects of a few microns detected.
Non-linear Optics
Current research being carried out in the area of nonlinear optics is on electromagnetic wave propagation in Photonic Crystal Fibers (PCFs). Simulations have been done to study the dynamics accompanying the supercontinuum generation process in PCFs. Short pulses of relatively low energy have been propagated through PCFs of specific lengths. Broadened spectra of wavelength spanning over the visible range were observed at the output. This broadband output is essential for white light sources being used in Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and other applications. Work is still in progress to also ascertain the effects of birefringence on the input pulse and the state of polarisation, as different sources have unique spectra suitable for a specifically designed application.
Future Projects
1.Optical communication
New projects both at undergraduate and postgraduate, would involve using fiber optic technology for high data rates transmission to meet the ever increasing communication demands. The group’s future plans involve working with the telecommunication industry in addressing the next generation communication requirements. Research activities would concentrate on the following:
- Transmission impairments such as chromatic dispersion, polarization mode dispersion and nonlinear effects.
- High order modulation formats to address the next generation communications requirements.
- Different optical demodulation techniques.
- Fiber To The Hut Technology (FTTHT).
2.Optical fiber sensors
- Collaborators
- Stellenbosch University
- African Laser Center
- Laser Research Institute
- The Optical Society
- UNESCO-TWAS
Opportunities
Prospective Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy students are welcome to join our research group through the NUST admissions [link here]. Areas of research include but are not limited to:
- Interferometry Non-linear Optics Laser Spectroscopy
- Optical Coherence Tomography
Publications
- Propagation characteristics control by variation of PCFstructural parameters
- Proceedings of the South African Institute of Physics ISBN: 978-0-620-65391-6
- James F Jena, Peter Baricholo, Temba S Dlodlo and Paul K Buah-Bassuah