- Email: [email protected]
Generation of extreme UV
SMB AUG
8/12/02
11:40 AM
Page 3
NEWS and build a compact submillimetre wave imager camera, using micro-machining technology. The imager will produce pictures of natural waves emitted at two frequencies, 250 GHz and 300 GHz. The frequencies provide a means of contrasting between materials with different transmission and reflection properties. Such an imager will break through a number of barriers limiting scientific research in several fields. Science minister, Lord Sainsbury said, ‘Star Tiger’s success in developing the prototype submillimetre wave camera will be critical for the future of innovative R&D projects in Europe.’ This R&D approach is part of the European Space Agency’s recent initiative to strengthen innovative and breakthrough research. Head of ESA’s Technology Programmes Department, Niels Jensen, said: ‘Technology R&D and in particular innovation are key essentials to reinforce European space business. Today ESA spends about 250m ($246m) on its Technology Research Programmes, about 8% of the total ESA budget. Of this, 20–25m ($19.7–24.6m) yearly is earmarked for innovation. With Star Tiger we want to dramatically reduce the turnaround time for state-of-the art technology developments. If the concept proves successful, the Agency will define more projects to be carried out using this at the best centres of excellence in ESA member states.’ For more information contact: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0QX, UK. Tel: +44 1235 821900. Email: [email protected] Or contact: ESA Media Relations Service, France. Tel: +33 1 5369 7155. Fax: +33 1 5369 7690. Email: Franco.Bonacina@ esa .int
Generation of extreme UV Researchers have created a sharply focused, laser-like beam of ultraviolet light. Engineers will be able to use this extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light source to measure and manipulate objects at nanometer scales. The team, led by Margaret Murnane and Henry Kapteyn of JILA at the University of Colorado, developed a new, short-wavelength light-source with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Energy. The EUV light can pulse in shorter bursts than any other system and has a tight focus that is difficult to achieve with other EUV sources, permitting interactions at the level of a single molecule. The researchers used high harmonic generation (HHG) to produce the EUV light. To achieve HHG, a visible-light laser is fired into a gas, creating a strong electromagnetic field. The field ionises the gas,
August 2002
separating the electrons from their parent atoms. The electrons recollide with the ionised gas atoms and oscillate within the electromagnetic field. As a result, a well synchronised stream of photons fires out of the system, boosted up to a high-energy, EUV wavelength. The end product is basically a multi-megawatt laser, only it was not created through direct stimulated emission of radiation. The JILA team used a visible-light laser that can fire in bursts as short as a femtosecond, yet their breakthrough development is a ‘structured waveguide’ that confines the target gas and keeps the EUV beam tightly focused. An earlier NSF grant gave the team the means to develop the EUV beam’s femtosecond laser source – a simpler, shorter pulse version of a $100,000 commercial laser. Based on their work, it is now possible to build the short pulse laser with $5,000 in parts. The team has commercialised the femtosecond laser and is now commercialising its EUV beam. For more information contact: JILA, University of Colorado, 440 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0440, USA. Tel: +1 303 492 7789. Email: [email protected]
Carbon consortium Liverpool University will manage a newly created carbon-based electronics consortium which received £2.7m from the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Eleven UK universities (Bangor, Bristol, Cambridge, Heriot-Watt, Imperial College, Kings College London, Liverpool, Oxford, Surrey, Sussex and University College London) will cover the full spectrum of carbon based electronics research. The EPSRC award will support 3-4 years research initially, with £1.1m of that being divided between Liverpool and Cambridge Universities. For more information contact: Research & Business Services, University of Liverpool, The Foresight Centre, 2 Brownlow Street, Liverpool L69 3GL, UK. Tel: +44 151 794 8343. Email: [email protected]
Endohedral attractions and obstacles Endohedral fullerenes, the carbon cages encapsulating atomic or molecular species, have intriguing properties and possibilities. But since their discovery in 1985, these have proved challenging to prepare, purify and understand, as well as eluding application.
In Brief 2.76m for pan-European Nanoforum The aim of the EC thematic network Nanoforum, which will run until 2006, is to provide a comprehensive source of information on all areas of nanotechnology to business, and the scientific and social committees. This will be through a dedicated Nanoforum website, encompassing partners from different disciplines. The aim is to bring together existing national and regional networks; attract venture capital funding to boost SME creation; and provide a means for the EU to interface with networks, stimulate SMEs and scientists, and publicise good research with a network of knowledge and expertise. The Nanotechnology Thematic Network Nanoforum aims to provide a linking framework for all nanotechnology activity within the EU. It will serve as a central location from which to gain access to and information about research programmes, technological developments, funding opportunities and future activities in nanotechnology within the community. Nanoforum will provide a single access point providing direct links to regional network websites, conferences, workshops, publications and press releases. The rapid developments in areas of nanotechnology could provide revolutionary solutions for many current day problems from health and the environment to the manufacturing industry. It is imperative that Europe becomes a producer of these new technologies and not simply a consumer. Participants include LETI’s Dr Jean-Charles Guibert, Dr Gerd Bachmann of the VDI in Germany, Dr Antonio Correia of CMP Cientifica, and Dr Morten Boegedal of Nordic Nanotech in Denmark. For more information contact: Dr Jean-Charles Guibert, LETI, Rue des Martyrs 17, F-38054 Grenoble, France. Tel: +33 4 3878 3581. Fax :+33 4 3878 5142. Email: [email protected]
New website for Irish nanotech The Irish Nanotechnology Association, established earlier this year by Enterprise Ireland, aims to encourage development of nanomaterials and processes by Irish industry. It will make companies aware of nanomaterial benefits; highlight state-of-the-art research in Ireland; promote technology transfer from academia to industry, and encourage the development of nanotech companies through spin-offs from the universities and Institutes of Technology, as well as encouraging industrial and research collaboration. The site will be managed by the Materials Ireland Polymer Research Centre, a Programme in Advanced Technologies. For more information contact: http://www.nanotechireland.com
Smart Materials Bulletin
3
8/12/02
11:40 AM
Page 3
NEWS and build a compact submillimetre wave imager camera, using micro-machining technology. The imager will produce pictures of natural waves emitted at two frequencies, 250 GHz and 300 GHz. The frequencies provide a means of contrasting between materials with different transmission and reflection properties. Such an imager will break through a number of barriers limiting scientific research in several fields. Science minister, Lord Sainsbury said, ‘Star Tiger’s success in developing the prototype submillimetre wave camera will be critical for the future of innovative R&D projects in Europe.’ This R&D approach is part of the European Space Agency’s recent initiative to strengthen innovative and breakthrough research. Head of ESA’s Technology Programmes Department, Niels Jensen, said: ‘Technology R&D and in particular innovation are key essentials to reinforce European space business. Today ESA spends about 250m ($246m) on its Technology Research Programmes, about 8% of the total ESA budget. Of this, 20–25m ($19.7–24.6m) yearly is earmarked for innovation. With Star Tiger we want to dramatically reduce the turnaround time for state-of-the art technology developments. If the concept proves successful, the Agency will define more projects to be carried out using this at the best centres of excellence in ESA member states.’ For more information contact: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0QX, UK. Tel: +44 1235 821900. Email: [email protected] Or contact: ESA Media Relations Service, France. Tel: +33 1 5369 7155. Fax: +33 1 5369 7690. Email: Franco.Bonacina@ esa .int
Generation of extreme UV Researchers have created a sharply focused, laser-like beam of ultraviolet light. Engineers will be able to use this extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light source to measure and manipulate objects at nanometer scales. The team, led by Margaret Murnane and Henry Kapteyn of JILA at the University of Colorado, developed a new, short-wavelength light-source with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Energy. The EUV light can pulse in shorter bursts than any other system and has a tight focus that is difficult to achieve with other EUV sources, permitting interactions at the level of a single molecule. The researchers used high harmonic generation (HHG) to produce the EUV light. To achieve HHG, a visible-light laser is fired into a gas, creating a strong electromagnetic field. The field ionises the gas,
August 2002
separating the electrons from their parent atoms. The electrons recollide with the ionised gas atoms and oscillate within the electromagnetic field. As a result, a well synchronised stream of photons fires out of the system, boosted up to a high-energy, EUV wavelength. The end product is basically a multi-megawatt laser, only it was not created through direct stimulated emission of radiation. The JILA team used a visible-light laser that can fire in bursts as short as a femtosecond, yet their breakthrough development is a ‘structured waveguide’ that confines the target gas and keeps the EUV beam tightly focused. An earlier NSF grant gave the team the means to develop the EUV beam’s femtosecond laser source – a simpler, shorter pulse version of a $100,000 commercial laser. Based on their work, it is now possible to build the short pulse laser with $5,000 in parts. The team has commercialised the femtosecond laser and is now commercialising its EUV beam. For more information contact: JILA, University of Colorado, 440 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0440, USA. Tel: +1 303 492 7789. Email: [email protected]
Carbon consortium Liverpool University will manage a newly created carbon-based electronics consortium which received £2.7m from the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Eleven UK universities (Bangor, Bristol, Cambridge, Heriot-Watt, Imperial College, Kings College London, Liverpool, Oxford, Surrey, Sussex and University College London) will cover the full spectrum of carbon based electronics research. The EPSRC award will support 3-4 years research initially, with £1.1m of that being divided between Liverpool and Cambridge Universities. For more information contact: Research & Business Services, University of Liverpool, The Foresight Centre, 2 Brownlow Street, Liverpool L69 3GL, UK. Tel: +44 151 794 8343. Email: [email protected]
Endohedral attractions and obstacles Endohedral fullerenes, the carbon cages encapsulating atomic or molecular species, have intriguing properties and possibilities. But since their discovery in 1985, these have proved challenging to prepare, purify and understand, as well as eluding application.
In Brief 2.76m for pan-European Nanoforum The aim of the EC thematic network Nanoforum, which will run until 2006, is to provide a comprehensive source of information on all areas of nanotechnology to business, and the scientific and social committees. This will be through a dedicated Nanoforum website, encompassing partners from different disciplines. The aim is to bring together existing national and regional networks; attract venture capital funding to boost SME creation; and provide a means for the EU to interface with networks, stimulate SMEs and scientists, and publicise good research with a network of knowledge and expertise. The Nanotechnology Thematic Network Nanoforum aims to provide a linking framework for all nanotechnology activity within the EU. It will serve as a central location from which to gain access to and information about research programmes, technological developments, funding opportunities and future activities in nanotechnology within the community. Nanoforum will provide a single access point providing direct links to regional network websites, conferences, workshops, publications and press releases. The rapid developments in areas of nanotechnology could provide revolutionary solutions for many current day problems from health and the environment to the manufacturing industry. It is imperative that Europe becomes a producer of these new technologies and not simply a consumer. Participants include LETI’s Dr Jean-Charles Guibert, Dr Gerd Bachmann of the VDI in Germany, Dr Antonio Correia of CMP Cientifica, and Dr Morten Boegedal of Nordic Nanotech in Denmark. For more information contact: Dr Jean-Charles Guibert, LETI, Rue des Martyrs 17, F-38054 Grenoble, France. Tel: +33 4 3878 3581. Fax :+33 4 3878 5142. Email: [email protected]
New website for Irish nanotech The Irish Nanotechnology Association, established earlier this year by Enterprise Ireland, aims to encourage development of nanomaterials and processes by Irish industry. It will make companies aware of nanomaterial benefits; highlight state-of-the-art research in Ireland; promote technology transfer from academia to industry, and encourage the development of nanotech companies through spin-offs from the universities and Institutes of Technology, as well as encouraging industrial and research collaboration. The site will be managed by the Materials Ireland Polymer Research Centre, a Programme in Advanced Technologies. For more information contact: http://www.nanotechireland.com
Smart Materials Bulletin
3