My Colorful Summer in an FIU Laser Lab and in the school of engineering By Richard Lizcano Special thanks to FIU RET Program Coordinator: Dr. Masoud Milani to AMO Physics Professor: Dr. Hebin Li to Associate Director of Student Access and Success: Dr. Stephanie Strange To Dr. Patrick Roman, to Laser Expert Dr. Feng Zhang and to Physics Graduate Student: Michael Titze

RET PROGRAM This is one of two tables in the Laser Lab where these very powerful lasers are mounted on. The legs of these tables are cylinders that provide a cushion of air which suspends this massive table and makes it float in mid-air. Dr. Li explained that this is necessary in order to create stability for the proper alignment of the laser beams on the materials being studied.

RET PROGRAM This is a Liquid Helium Tank used to freeze materials being studied to temperatures as low as 4K (-269 degrees Celsius). Freezing these samples is necessary to increase their luminescence and to study their properties as powerful laser beams are focused on them.

RET PROGRAM This is an Optical Spectrometer used to analyze the wavelength of the lasers used by my Physical Science students in their Optics Labs. As you can see the wavelength of this red laser beam is 652.4 nm

RET PROGRAM Dr. Hebin Li is the FIU Professor who is an expert on laser technology (a true scientist). This picture shows Dr. Li instructing me on how to observe the infrared laser beam with an infrared scope.

RET PROGRAM In this slide Dr. Feng Zhang is showing me a 2-D sample of exfoliated MoS2 , very difficult to observe. MoS2 is a semiconductor that scientists are now studying throughout the world. In the laser lab Dr. Hebin Li, Dr. Feng Zhang and Michael, one of Dr. Li’s graduate students are performing studies of semiconductors like this one by exposing these 2-D samples to powerful laser beams to better understand their properties.

RET PROGRAM Here I’m trying to locate 2-D sample of exfoliated MoS2. I spent almost four hours trying to locate this monolayer of MoS2 and was unsuccessful. Research scientists have to be very patient in order to achieve their desired results.

RET PROGRAM Michael is one of Dr. Hebin Li’s graduate students. In two years Michael will be an optical engineer. He was of great help in the laser lab. Michael explained to me the advanced investigations that they are engaging in. Currently he is studying monolayers of MoSe2, which is a semiconductor similar to MoS2.

RET PROGRAM Michael is showing me a chemical Vapor Deposition (CVP) of a 2-D MoSe2 sample. In the FIU Laser Lab that Dr. Hebin Li is in charge of Michael is studying the effects of using the Pump and Probe method on a 2D sample of MoSe2. A pump beam which is created by a laser optically excites the sample inducing the electrons to go from their ground state to their excited state. Once the sample is in the excited state the probe laser beam will analyze the spectral characteristics of the sample not only in this excited state but also when the sample decays, in other words when the electrons go back to the ground state.

RET PROGRAM Once the 2D sample of MoSe2 is in the excited state the probe laser beam will analyze the spectral characteristics and this will be observed. Remember it is the motion of electrons through this semiconductor that give it its electrical properties. These semiconductors have great potential in optoelectronics and are at the forefront of nanotechnology.

RET PROGRAM Great Times in the Clean Room, an unforgettable experience with the microfabrication process of Pressure Sensors

RET PROGRAM THE 3-D PRINTER LAB This is where Juan does his magic. Top left: you are witnessing the printing of a Human Aorta. Top right: you can observe all of the devices that were printed by these 3-D printers.

RET PROGRAM Top Left: Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) Middle: Picture of the preparation of samples in plasma state (gold cylinder) Top Right: Opening where the mounted sample will be introduced

RET PROGRAM Top Left: Human Kidney Stone Calcifications (SEM) Middle: Insect Skin and Hairs (SEM) Bottom Right: Insect Eyes (SEM)

RET PROGRAM I end my journey by getting out of a car on the third floor of the FIU Engineering building. How did we get all the way up here? Come visit FIU and find out.