Discussing Thin Films
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Student Chapter
We invited Dr. George Atanasoff who is a recognized professional in the field of Optical Engineering and a member of Optical Society of America for over 20 years. Dr. Atanasoff started his career as university professor in Physics. Later he gradually transitioned his career into the industry, managing large industrial R&D departments and federal programs for variety of applications, such as optical communications, semiconductors, X-ray, solar and LED. The lecture is a part of The Optical Society’s Traveling Lecturer Program. The lecture was directed towards professionals and scholars in Physics, Material Science and Photonics who wish to expand their practical understanding of optics of surfaces and layered structures. It provided us with valuable information about thin films which are critical element of almost every Photonics application and frequently define the operational limits of the contemporary optical devices and systems. This lecture offered a broader and practical understanding of optics of thin films and multi-layer coatings and their characterization. It began with a general overview of some current problems in Photonics associated with the latest advancement of ultrashort laser pulses and entangled photon applications. It also focused on some theoretical and practical aspects of thin films used in Photonics. A special emphasis was made on the evolution of the optical properties during the film growth and the spectroscopic techniques for monitoring and characterization of thin films and surfaces. A variety of coherency phenomena in thin films and coatings was discussed with some practical ideas on how to use them to deduct physical parameters of the layered structure as it is being made. The lecture ended with a review of several aspects of the physical, statistical and phenomenological modeling of processes for deposition of thin films and multi-layer coatings.
This lecture enabled us to spread the word about The Optical Society and to attract new members to join our chapter.
