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January 1997 Newsletter
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JOSEPH H. EBERLY, CHAIR
Department of Physics & Astronomy
University of Rochester
Rochester, NY 14627
716-275-3288;
fax 716-275-8527
e-mail: eberly@pas.rochester.edu
PAUL L. HOUSTON, CHAIR-ELECT
Department of Chemistry
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853-1301
607-255-4303;
fax 607-255-8549
e-mail: plh2@cornell.edu
WILLLIAM D. PHILLIPS, VICE-CHAIR
Atomic Physics Division Phy A167
National Institute of Standards & Technology(NIST)
Gaithersburg, MD 20899
301-975-6554;
fax 301-975-3038
e-mail: wphillips@nist.gov
WINTHROP W. SMITH, SECRETARY-TREASURER
Department of Physics
University of Connecticut
2152 Hillside Road
Storrs, CT 06269-3046
860-486-3573;
fax 860-486-3346
e-mail: winthrop@uconnvm.uconn.edu
I hope that all DLS members realize that we are beginning our first
full year as a Division of the American Physical Society. The opportunities
that come with full divisional status are great and so are the responsibilities.
I've been repeatedly reminded of both in the past two months. Partner
organizations in laser science are letting us know that they would value
our participation with them in a variety of new ventures and our assistance
in pursuing existing common goals.
We will continue to work with them whenever possible, and we will also
take several steps to make sure that our own agenda is understood andreceives
the attention we believe it deserves. One step will be a division of
the semi-annual meeting of the division's Executive Committee into two
parts, following a suggestion by Pat Dehmer, last year's Chair. This
will allow us to complete formal business matters, and then invite representatives
of organizations and agencies that have an impact on the professional
lives of division members to join the Executive Committee as a group
for both formal and informal discussions, probably at dinner. The participants
are expected to be drawn from a wide list including representatives of
relevant federal funding agencies, committees of the National Academy
of Sciences, other professional organizations in laser science, and journal
and book publishers.
IN THIS ISSUE
Chair's Message 1
New Officers of the DLS Executive Committee 2
APS Fellows 2
Student Travel Grants 3
APS Fellow Nominations 4
Laser Science at the 1997 APS March Meeting 4
Distinguished Traveling Lecture Program 5
Editor's Note 5
Schawlow Prize 6
NSF-REU Program 7
1996 Undergraduate Research Summer Projects 8
Calendar 9
DLS Minutes - CLEO 96 10
DLS Minutes - ILS XII 12
Deadlines 14
Another step, already taken, was to open discussions with Physical
Review A, Journal of Chemical Physics, Journal of Physical Chemistry,
Chemical Physics Letters, and Physical Review Letters by correspondence
and through discussions with representatives who attended the Executive
Committee meeting held in Rochester during the ILS conference. One immediate
concrete result is the appointment of two DLS members, Kenneth C. Kulander
and John C. Miller, as Divisional Associate Editors of Physical Review
Letters. They will have begun work by the time this message appears.
contd. on pg. 3
New Officers of the DLS Executive Committee
We would like to congratulate the winners of this fall's election. Bill
Phillips was elected as the Vice-Chair, Win Smith as the
Secretary-Treasurer, and Doreen Weinberger and Tom Mossberg as
the Members-at-Large. Their term of office began at the conclusion
of the ILS-XXII Conference.
APS FELLOWS
Congratulations to the five DLS members who were elected Fellows of
APS in 1996:
John Edward Bowers, University of California-Santa Barbara
For contributions to the understanding of the ultrafast characteristics
of optoelectronic devices and materials
Bob D. Guenther, Army Research Office
For seminal contributions to the fields of quantum electronics and
optics, including the development of the use of lasers for enhanced
magnetic resonance imaging, and for contributions to education in optics
Wayne Harvey Knox, Bell Laboratories
For his studies of fundamental physics of ultrafast lasers, development
of novel and practical ultrafast lasers, and studies of ultrafast relaxation
processes in semiconductors using such lasers
Paul David Lett, N.I.S.T.
For his seminal contributions to laser cooling and particularly
to the study of collisions of laser cooled atoms and spectroscopy of
weakly bound molecules formed in such collisions
James Anthony Misewich, IBM T. J. Watson Research Center
For the development and application of innovative laser techniques
to elucidate fundamental problems in molecular dynamics and molecule-surface
interactions
STUDENT TRAVEL GRANTS
Awards of up to $700
The DLS is pleased to continue its program to support student travel
to DLS-sponsored meetings. A limited number of grants for travel and
living expenses, up to $700, are available to graduate students who are
DLS members and who are authors or co-authors on an oral or poster paper
at the ILS-XIII meeting. To make these funds as widely available as possible,
some priority will be given to requests for a lower level of support
and to distribution of these grants to students of different institutions.
Applicants should submit a letter stating their estimated need for
travel funds, including commitment of institutional support, if any,
attached to a copy of the submitted abstract on which they are first
author, and a letter of nomination from a member of DLS. Please list
daytime phone number, fax number, e-mail address, and social security
number. Applicants are required to fax or e-mail their acceptance
letter or attach it to the application upon receiving the official notice
from OSA. Only one award will be given to a research group. If it
is likely that the paper cannot be given without financial support, the
student should indicate whether the paper would have to be withdrawn
if this request for funds cannot be met. Checks will be issued at the
meeting. Hotel accommodations will be covered at up to half the conference
rate for a double room.
The nominator should certify that the applicant is a full-time graduate
student, and, in the case of foreign students, that they have a student
visa valid through the meeting dates. The applicants will be evaluated
by the selection committee chaired by Dr. Winthrop W. Smith. Applications
should be sent to Dr. Smith at the address given on the first page of
this Newsletter. The deadline for submitting applications for the
QELS/CLEO Meeting is March 7, 1997 and for the ILS-XIII/OSA Meeting
is August 15, 1997.
Chair's Message (contd. from pg. 1)
A new proposal, being considered jointly with the Optical Society of
America, will offer support for student attendees at the annual joint
ILS-OSA meeting if plans can be worked out. Both organizations want to
encourage participation by students who would not previously have considered
attending. A full or partial registration fee waiver is being considered.
I hope it will be possible to complete our discussions in time to offer
some incentive of this kind at the next meeting, in Long Beach next October.
It's clear I may have news to report on several fronts in the next Newsletter.
In the interim, I encourage comments at any time about improvements in
services or procedures of DLS. They can be sent to me. Finally, I send
to all DLS members the best wishes of the Executive Committee for a productive
and Happy New Year.
J.H. Eberly
Fellow Nominations for 1997 are Solicited!
The DLS has made many distinguished contributions to the list of APS
Fellows. Nominations for next year's fellowships are now being solicited.
The number of DLS nominations chosen to be forwarded to the APS for confirmation
as Fellow in a given year is typically in the range 5-10. This depends
on the good judgement of the nominators in the first place and also on
the Divisional Committee on Fellows headed by the DLS Vice-Chair, Bill
Phillips, but the Committee can do nothing without nominations. This
is where DLS members must come into the picture. The Executive Committee
is urging all DLS members to think whether a colleague deserving of the
rank of Fellow comes to mind. If you are uncertain about a colleague's
status, consult the APS Membership Directory, where an asterisk identifies
Fellows.
Any member can nominate any other member, and the supporting documentation
is not difficult to assemble. The deadline for a nomination and supporting
letters to reach the APS, in time for DLS consideration, is more than
3 months away, April 1, 1997, providing plenty of opportunity
for action. All of the required information is available on a WWW page
and easily found via http://aps.org/fellowship/fellform.html. A phone
call to Ken Cole of the APS at 301-209-3268 will also work.
DIVISION OF LASER SCIENCE
APS MARCH MEETING
17-21 March, 1997, Kansas City, MO
The Division of Laser Science will sponsor two symposia at the APS
March Meeting
1. Probing Electron Dynamics at and near surfaces with Ultrafast
Lasers, a one-session symposium organized by Richard Haight
(Thomas J. Watson Research, Center, PO Box 218, Room 29-027, Yorktown
Heights, NY 10598, Office: (914) 945-3805, email: rhaight@watson.ibm.com).
Invited speakers include Ulf Karlsson (Royal Institute of Technology,
Stockholm) and Yongli Gao (University of Rochester).
2. Formation, Detection, and Study of Small Metal-Carbon and
metal-Oxygen Clusters, a two-session symposium organized
by W. Castleman (Pennsylvania State University, office: (814) 865-7242,
email: awc@psuvm.psu.edu) and K. Bowen (Johns Hopkins, office: (410)
516-8425). Invited speakers include R. Compton (Oak Ridge), T. P. Martin
(Stuttgart), M. Duncan (U. Ga), B. Freiser (Purdue), S. El-Shall (VCU),
and P. Jena/S. Khanna (VCU), W. Castleman, and K. Bowen.
More information on the Division of Laser Science's March Meeting participation
can be obtained at: http://www.msc.cornell.edu/~plh2/group/plhhome.cfm.
DISTINGUISHED TRAVELING LECTURER PROGRAM
IN LASER SCIENCE
The Division of Laser Science (DLS) is accepting applications
from host schools for the next round of awards for the Distinguished
Traveling Lecturer (DTL) Program. The DTL Program is intended to bring
distinguished scientists to predominantly undergraduate colleges and
universities for two day visits, which may include lectures and informal
meetings with faculty and students.
Lecturers for the 1996-1997 Academic Year and their topics:
- Geraldine Richmond, Univ. of Oregon, Dept. of Chemistry. Surface
Non-Linear Optics.
- Jagdeep Shah, AT&T Bell Laboratories. Quantum Optics.
- Stephen Leone, JILA, Univ. of Colorado. Chemical Physics
- Philip Bucksbaum, Dept. of Physics, Univ. of Michigan. High-Field
Laser Physics
- Bill Phillips, NIST. Atom Cooling and Trapping
The Distinguished Traveling Lecturer Selection Committee members are
Michael Raymer (Chair), Neal Abraham, and Paul Kleiber.
Detailed information about the program and the application procedure
is available on DLS Homepage on the World Wide Web at http://www.physics.wm.ed/~cooke/dls/dls.cfm
DEADLINE FOR FALL 1997 APPLICATIONS IS JANUARY 17, 1997.
DEADLINE FOR SPRING 1998 APPLICATIONS IS JUNE 15, 1997.
EDITOR'S NOTE:
Several changes have occurred in this issue of the Newsletter. First,
a new logo has been introduced. The logo was originally created by Mr.
Toby Wilson, a former student at Oklahoma State University, and modified
by Carol Wicksted. Second, some formatting changes have been made, such
as an "IN THIS ISSUE" table appearing on the first page. In the
next issue, an "IN FOCUS" section will be added. As always,
your comments and suggestions are welcome. Please send letters concerning
the Newsletter to Jim Wicksted, DLS Newsletter Editor, Center for Laser
Research, 413 NRC, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078-3038;
(405) 744-5807; FAX (405) 744-6406; e-mail: jpw519@vms.ucc.okstate.edu
ARTHUR L. SCHAWLOW PRIZE IN LASER SCIENCE
Purpose: To recognize outstanding contributions to basic
research which uses lasers to advance our knowledge of the fundamental
physical properties of materials and their interaction with light. Some
examples of relevant areas of research are: nonlinear optics, ultrafast
phenomena, laser spectroscopy, squeeze states, quantum optics, multiphoton
physics, laser cooling and trapping, physics of lasers, particle acceleration
by lasers, and short wavelength lasers.
Nature: The prize consists of $10,000 plus an allowance
for travel to the meeting at which the prize is awarded and a certificate
citing the contributions made by the recipient. The prize will be awarded
annually.
Establishment & Support: The prize was endowed by
the NEC Corporation in 1991.
Rules & Eligibility: Nominations of candidates for
this prize can be made by any member of the American Physical Society.
Nominations are active for three years.
1997 Prize Selection Committee
H. Jeffrey Kimble, Chair Div of Phys Math & Astro 12-33 Caltech
1201 E California Blvd Pasadena, CA 91125 Phone: (818) 395-8340 Fax:
818 793 9506 Email: HJKIMBLE@CC.CALTECH.EDU
OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Duncan Gregory Steel Richart E Slusher Thomas J McIlrath Margaret M.
Murnane
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR UNDERGRADUATES
The National Science Foundation makes possible a number of opportunities
for undergraduates to join research projects each summer. This allows
students to experience first-hand how basic research is done, and to
contribute consequentially. The principal support by NSF of such activities
is through the Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program. REU "Sites" are
established in all fields of science, mathematics, and engineering.
Each Site usually operates for about ten weeks in the summer, and consists
of a group of ten or so undergraduates, who work in the research programs
of the host institution. Students are in general accepted from throughout
the country -- most come from schools other than the host institution.
Each student is assigned to a specific research project, where he/she
works closely with the faculty, post-docs, and graduate students. In
addition, seminars, lunch meetings, and social functions are organized
to facilitate interaction between the undergraduates. Students are granted
stipends, and in some cases assistance with housing and travel. Women
and members of under-represented minorities, and those with disabilities
or special needs, are particularly urged to apply. The complete list
of these Sites can be obtained at http://www.nsf.gov/ftp/MPS/letters/reulist.txt.
The NSF Divisions of Physics, Materials Research, and Astronomical
Sciences support a total of over 100 such Sites each summer. Most of
these Sites cover a broad range of physics-related subjects, and each
Site usually
includes research topics typical of several APS Divisions. The following
Sites do have major components in atomic, molecular, optical, laser,
and chemical physics:
University of Colorado/JILA Kansas State University National Institutes
of Standards and Technology-Gaithersburg University of New Mexico-Los
Alamos Rice University University of Connecticut Oklahoma State University
SRI International
For more information on the NSF-REU Program contact Rolf M. Sinclair,
Program Director for Special Programs, Division of Physics, National
Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington VA 22230
e-mail: rsinclai@nsf.gov
IMPRESSIONS OF 1996 UNDERGRADUATE SUMMER RESEARCH PROJECTS
John Bloodgood, a University of Delaware student, investigated the
photonic band structure of bcc colloidal crystals and his work resulted
in co-authorship of an article submitted to Physical Review B with his
advisor George Watson and Ranjit Pradhan. John writes: "My investigations
were highly productive. ... [In addition to the manuscript] I also plan
on making a poster presentation at the 1997 CLEO/QELS conference in Baltimore."
Catherina Glasheen, a senior at Swarthmore College, worked in the laboratories
of Thomas Donnelly and Frank Moscatelli. The project, entitled "Investigations
of the Time History of the Temperature and Density of Sodium Plasma",
involved forming a Na+ plasma by ablation using a 10 ns YAG laser pulse.
Spectroscopic linewidth and other measurements were used to make measurements
of electron density and temperature in the plasma. Such a plasma is potentially
useful in a recombination-pumped soft x-ray laser.
Seed Money:
Kristin Hogan, a student in the University of Pittsburgh Chemistry
Department worked with Prof. David Pratt using a liquid-nitrogen "cold
finger" technique to study phosphorescence induced in target molecules
by collision with laser-excited benzaldehyde molecules from a pulsed
jet. The project is continuing with some photochemical studies of benzophenone
derivatives.
Eric Gansen worked in G.R. Sudhakaran's laboratory at the University
of Wisconsin-La Crosse on far-IR laser Stark absorption spectroscopy
of deuterated methanol. Preliminary results have already been published
as a letter co-authored with M. Jackson and Sudhakaran in the J. Molecular
Spectroscopy [176, 439-441 (1996)]. He says in his report "I have become
aware that I cannot achieve my goals with a classroom education alone.
Research is the only way students can see how the knowledge they accumulate
in the classroom relates to the development of technology in real life."
John W. Thoman, Jr., Associate Professor of Chemistry at Williams College,
reports that his sophomore summer student, James M. Rowe had a successful
project, leading to a poster presentation at the ACS National Meeting
in August 1996. Rowe's work involved measurements of collisional fluorescence
quenching cross sections of the A-state of NO, excited by a YAG-pumped
dye laser, by collisions in acetone, ammonia or ethylene vapor. The temperature-dependence
of these cross sections was used to elucidate the details of the quenching
mechanisms. Thoman's evaluation: "Jim had a productive and instructive
summer, as can be seen from his 4-page final report. The $3600 grant
was used entirely to support Jim. My lab has benefited substantially
from the summer student support of the [LSTG] ... now the Division of
Laser Science; I hope that the program will continue for many years."
Interdisciplinary Studies:
Sandra Bonilla presented an interesting report on her collaborative
research in the Materials Science Department and the Optical Sciences
Center at the University of Arizona. She studied a solid state laser
dye material, pyrromethene-BF2 (pyrromethene-567) in a solgel host with
the aim of increasing laser dye photostability. The porosity of the host
material was found to have a strong effect on the useful lifetime of
the dye. The effect of antioxidants on improving photostability was demonstrated.
A research paper is expected to result from the work. Sandra comments: "It
was an incredible experience to be part of original research, and it
proved to be a very productive Summer."
As this sampling indicates, institutions of various sizes and types
received summer student support. Students were at various levels of their
undergraduate experience from sophomore up. The degree of progress ranged
from giving a student a first task of research to ultimate presentations
at meetings and/or publications in top refereed journals. Several disciplines
were represented: e.g. physics, chemistry and materials science departments.
Interdisciplinary proposals are encouraged but are not a requirement.
The experience of the students seems to have been almost universally
positive and worthwhile to them.
Winthrop W. Smith
CALENDAR
Photonics West, 11-13 Feb, 1997, San Jose Convention Center,
San Jose, CA. Contact: SPIE's Exhibit Department; (360) 676-3290; fax
(360) 647-1445; e-mail photonics@spie.org
Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics
(CLEO '97), 18-23 May, 1997, Baltimore, MD. Co-located with
the Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference (QELS '97). Sponsored
by: IEEE-LEOS/OSA in cooperation with EPS-QEO/JQEJG. Technical Meeting,
Short Courses, Technical Exhibit.
Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference (QELS '97),
18-23 May, 1997, Baltimore, MD. Co-located with the Conference on Lasers
and Electro-Optics (CLEO '97). Sponsored by APS-DLS/IEEE-LEOS/OSA. Technical
Meeting.
First International Conference and School on Polarization Effects
in Lasers and Spectroscopy Fundamentals and Applications, 26-28
May 1997, University of Toronto, Canada. Submission deadline: February
1, 1997. For more information, contact: Prof. G.M. Stephan, ENSSAT,
6, rue de Kerampont, 22305 Lannion, FRANCE (fax: 33-96370199; email:
stephan@enssat.fr).
CLEO./Pacific Rim '97 14-18 July, 1997, Chiba, Japan.
Co-located with InterOpto '97. Abstract and Summary Deadline: January
20, 1997. Sponsored by The Japan Society of Applied Physics, IEICE, IEEE-LEOS/OSA,
Optoelectronic Industry and Technology Development Association. Technical
Meeting, Tutorials, Short Courses, Technical Exhibit.
ICPEAC XX, July 23 - 29, 1997, Vienna, Austria.
The twentieth meeting of the International Conference on the Physics
of Electronic and Atomic Collisions will be held July 23 - 29, 1997 in
Vienna, Austria. Further information may be obtained from Prof. HP. Winter,
Institut fuer Allgemeine Physik, TU Wien, A-1040 Wien, Austria. FAX +43-1
5864203; e-mail ICPEAC97@iap.tuwien.ac.at Homepage: http://www.iap.tuwien.ac.at/icpeac97/.
OSA '97 Annual Meeting, 11-17 Oct, 1997, Long Beach, CA. Co-located
with ILS-XIII. Abstract Deadline: May 1, 1997. Technical Meeting, Tutorials,
Engineering "How To" Program, Short Courses, Technical Exhibit (Technical
Exhibit sponsored by: OSA\Photonics Spectra).
Interdisciplinary Laser Science Conference
(ILS-XIII), 11-17 Oct, 1997, Long Beach, CA. Co-located with
the OSA Annual Meeting. Abstract Deadline: May 1, 1997. Sponsored by
APS-DLS, in cooperation with OSA. Technical Meeting.
Minutes of the Executive Committee
Meeting of the Division of Laser Science
June 4, 1996
Anaheim, California
The meeting was called to order by the DLS Chair-Elect Joe Eberly (in
the absence of Chair Pat Dehmer) at 12:00 noon in the Anaheim Marriott
Hotel. The meeting was held in conjunction with the Conference on Lasers
and Electro-Optics (CLEO) and the Quantum Electronics Conference (QELS).
Other Executive Committee (EC) members present were Vice-Chair Paul Houston,
Secretary Treasurer John Miller, Members-at-Large John Weiner, Wendell
Hill III, and Naomi Halas, and Divisional APS Representative Dan Grischkowsky.
Chair Pat Dehmer, Past Chair Carl Lineberger, and Members-at-Large Bill
Cooke, Paul Kleiber, and Mike Raymer were absent.
Tom McIlrath, Gary Eden, and Ian Walmsley were present as non-voting ex
officio members of the EC (representing the Joint Council on Quantum
Electronics) as were Jag Shah and Richart Slusher (representing the
ILS Conference Committee). New Newsletter Editor James Wicksted was
not present. Eberly expressed the regrets of Pat Dehmer who could not
attend and conveyed her appreciation for the efforts of others, in
helping her with the management of DLS affairs. He also congratulated
Dan Grischkowsky on his recent election as the DLS Representative to
the American Physical Society. In addition, he announced the appointment
of James Wicksted as the newsletter editor, replacing Roger Becker
who had served in the capacity for the previous three years. By unanimous
declaration, those present thanked Becker for his excellent performance
during his tenure.
Membership
Miller reported the official membership statistics as of December 31,
1995. The DLS membership stands at 1363 which represents 3.34% of the
APS total. A brief discussion concerning recruitment of chemists, electrical
engineers, and other non-physicists was held. Grischkowsky outlined the
techniques used in the successful membership drive which he had directed
over the previous two years. It was noted that attention to membership
was required to ensure continued division status.
Finances
Miller presented and briefly explained the April financial statement.
Discussion focussed on the DLS payment of $2,000 annually as dues to
the International Commission on Optics (ICO). McIlrath, a current member
of the U.S. Advisory Committee to the ICO (along with Bill Cooke and
Michael Loy) described the activities of the ICO and the benefits of
DLS involvement. Miller presented the minutes of the last ICO meeting
where it was noted that the APS members (appointed by DLS) had not been
active recently. General discussion centered on the benefits to the APS
of participation in the ICO and the appropriateness of the DLS as the
responsible division within the APS. It was pointed out that DAMOP was
also potentially an interested party. Eberly will initiate further discussions
with the APS and DAMOP on these issues.
Committee Reports
Schawlow Prize - McIlrath reported that Theodor Hdnsch was the
winner of the 1996 prize, was awarded at the Rochester ILS meeting. The
current prize committee, headed by Jeffrey Kimble, consists of Tom McIlrath,
Duncan Steel, Richart Slusher, and Margaret Murnane.
Fellowship Committee - Paul Houston, Chair, reported that five
DLS members had been named to the status of Fellow. It was noted that
very few nominations for DLS members were received last year and strategies
for increasing the number were discussed. Other committee members are
Wayne Itano, Phil Bucksbaum, Andy Tam, and Anthony Johnson. Committee
member terms and succession procedures were briefly discussed.
Nomination Committee - Tom McIlrath, Chair, reported the following
candidates have agreed to stand for election to the DLS EC: Vice-Chair,
Bill Phillips, and Tom Gallagher; Secretary/Treasurer, Winthrop Smith
and Stephen Pratt; Members-at-Large, John Carlsten, Thomas Mossberg,
Steve Rolston, and Doreen Weinberger. Other members of the committee
included Ray Garrett, Andy Tam, Harold Metcalf, Neal Abraham, and Elsa
Garmire.
Newsletter
Miller distributed a draft copy of the Summer newsletter and thanked
past and future contributors for cooperation and attention to deadlines.
Distinguished Traveling Lecture Program
The current committee is composed of Mike Raymer, (Chair) Neal Abraham,
and Paul Kleiber. No report was presented.
Undergraduate Summer Research Program
Naomi Halas, Chair, reported that grants totaling $19,750 had been
awarded to seven institutions (one grant was returned as the student
withdrew from the program for personal reasons). Two awards went to alternates
following notification that the students had accepted other research
arrangements. Discussions centered on the competitiveness of the DLS
grant versus other similar grants and whether or not to increase the
award amount. Decisions were deferred to the Rochester meeting when next
year's awards will be authorized. Other committee members are Geraldine
Richmond and Wendell Hill.
Student Travel Grants
Miller reported that only three travel awards to CLEO had been granted
(there were four requests) and noted that considerably more requests
were usually received for the ILS meeting.
Joint Council for Quantum Electronics
McIlrath reported that attendance at CLEO/QELS was up from previous
years and that the LEAP program appeared successful. As the JCQE meeting
was to be held the next day he had no further report.
Interdisciplinary Laser Science (ILS) Conference
Weiner summarized the status of the upcoming Rochester ILS-XII Conference.
Some discussion ensued concerning details of the Schawlow lecture, banquet/reception,
and DLS "celebration dinner." Funding from the ACS-PRF for $2,000 had
been recommended and proposals to NSF, AFOSR, and ONR are pending.
Shah requested that council approve $14,000 in funding for the ILS-XIII
conference providing a safety net while agency proposals are being considered.
Because of the lack of a quorum, voting was deferred to a later e-mail
ballot [approved by e-mail ballot]. A slot of potential candidates for
the new Vice-Program Chair was submitted for EC approval. [Approved by
e-mail ballot].
Committee Appointments
Miller summarized the 1996-97 committee compositions. He discussed
the need for a more systematic approach to committee appointments and
succession procedures. It was suggested that the educational committees
be comprised of EC members at large who would step through a sequence
of Vice-Chair, Chair, and Past-Chair during their three year term. A
summary of duties and deadlines should be prepared for each committee.
It was generally agreed that the DLS committee structures and responsibilities
were sufficiently mature and stable and that more systematic procedures
would be helpful to all concerned. Committee chairs were asked to prepare
activity summaries and time lines for their committees. Miller will coordinate
such an effort for the DLS Chair and Secretary/Treasurer.
Minutes of the Executive Committee Meeting of the Division of Laser
Science
October 23, 1996
Rochester, New York
The meeting was called to order by DLS Chair-Elect Joe Eberly (in the
absence of Chair, Pat Dehmer) at 12:15 p.m. in the Rochester Holiday
Inn Hotel. The meeting was held in conjunction with the Interdisciplinary
Laser Science Conference (ILS-12) and the annual meeting of the Optical
Society of America. The ILS conference constitutes the annual meeting
of the DLS. Other Executive Committee (EC) members present were Vice-Chair
Paul Houston, Secretary-Treasurer John Miller, Past Chair Carl Lineberger,
Divisional APS Councillor Dan Grischkowsky, and Members-at-Large John
Weiner, Wendell Hill III, Paul Kleiber, and Mike Raymer (Bill Cooke and
Naomi Halas were absent). Newsletter Editor Jim Wicksted was present.
Ian Walmsley and Gary Eden (for Rick Freeman), representing the Joint
Council on Quantum Electronics were present as non-voting ex officio members
of the EC, as were Marsha Lester, John Weiner, and Dick Slusher representing
the ILS conference committee.
Lorenzo Narducci, Associate Editor of Physical Review A, and Don Levy,
Associate Editor of the Journal of Chemical Physics were present by invitation.
Newly elected EC members Bill Phillips, Win Smith and Tom Mossberg
were also present by invitation as were Tom McIlrath and Bill Stwalley.
Election Results
Eberly announced the election of Bill Phillips as the incoming Vice-Chair,
Win Smith as the new Secretary-Treasurer and Doreen Weinberger and Tom
Mossberg as new Members-at-Large of the DLS Executive Committee. Their
term of office begins at the conclusion of the ILS-12 conference. Eberly
thanked outgoing members Miller, Lineberger, Cooke, Weiner, and Lester
for their service and leadership on behalf of the DLS.
DLS Business
Laser Science Journals - Representatives were present from a
number of core journals of the laser science community. These included
Narducci (Physical Review A), Levy (Journal of Chemical Physics), Houston
and Miller (Journal of Physical Chemistry) and Lineberger (Chemical Physics
Letters). Eberly asked those representatives to briefly describe these
journals and editorial policy and suggest ways that the DLS membership
could interact in fruitful ways - as associate editors, reviewers, and
authors. Narducci, Levy, and Houston each welcomed nominations from the
EC or its members for editorial positions and explained their policies
in choosing such persons. Lineberger noted that Chemical Physics Letters
had no women in such positions and encouraged suitable nominations to
be sent to the editor. Houston mentioned the expansion of the Journal
of Physical Chemistry and their use of topical issues and feature articles.
Some discussion of electronic publishing and its impact also ensued.
Miller suggested similar interaction with OSA journal editors at future
meetings.
Future EC Meeting Format - Eberly announced a new format for
the next EC meeting to be held at the CLEO/QELS conference in the spring
of 1997. Patterned after meetings by other divisions, the agenda would
include a brief "closed-door" session of the EC followed by a dinner
meeting where representatives of funding agencies or important committees
like CAMOS or COSE could summarize important issues relevant to the DLS
membership. Weiner suggested that issues requiring extended discussion
take place in sub-committee meetings or, phone or e-mail conferences,
and then be briefly summarized for the full EC. Miller briefly discussed
problems with the annual business meetings (required by our by-laws),
and suggested that more attention be paid in the future to scheduling
and attendance.
Finance
Miller presented the year-end financial summary. Discussion about the
role of the DLS and APS in the payment of the annual $2,000 dues to the
International Commission on Optics (ICO) was spirited. McIlrath briefly
explained the issues and pointed out that OSA, APS, SPIE, and LEOS jointly
fund the activities of the ICO. He discussed the upcoming 1999 conference
in San Francisco which would be hosted by the US members of the commission.
A motion to continue payment of dues until the 1999 meeting was presented,
seconded, and passed by voice vote. At that time a decision about future
payment would be considered. Eberly needs to appoint new APS representatives
and charge them with more active participation in the future.
Committee Reports
Schawlow Prize - McIlrath reported that the 1997 winner had
been selected but that the winner's name could not yet be released.
Fellowship Committee - Houston reported that five new fellows
were nominated from the DLS. As in past years, it was noted that the
number of nominations received was low and that more attention should
be given to soliciting future nominations. Houston has recommended sending
letters to all current Fellows to solicit new nominations. Lineberger
suggested that each EC member be solicited for 2-3 nominations. The current
committee, chaired by Houston, consists of Wayne Itano, Andy Tan, Phil
Bucksbaum, and Anthony Johnson. Bill Phillips, new DLS Vice-Chair, will
head next years Fellowship Committee.
Newsletter
Wicksted reported the status of the newsletter. He is currently accepting
material for the fall newsletter. He presented a possible new logo and
was authorized to reimburse the artist up to $300, if necessary. Increasing
use of the World Wide Web was discussed along with the possibility of
future electronic mailings of newsletters.
Distinguished Traveling Lecturer (DTL) Program
Raymer, DTL Chair, presented a written report summarizing the current
program. Last year's cycle generated three completed visits and 5-6 more
in progress. For next year eight visits are projected with three already
planned. A motion authorizing $15,000 for the next year was passed. Other
committee members were Neal Abraham and Kleiber.
Undergraduate Summer Research Program
Miller presented a report in the absence of Halas, the current Chair.
Final reports have been received from last summer's winners and brief
summaries will be published in the newsletter. A motion to authorize
$24,000 for next year's program was passed. Other committee members were
Geraldine Richmond and Wendel Hill, III.
Student Travel Grants
Miller reported that he had served as the coordinator for this program
in the absence of a current committee. He recommended that in the future,
for logistical reasons, the Secretary-Treasurer should handle all travel
grant requests with the assistance of an ad hoc committee
drawn from the Secretary/Treasurer home institution, if possible. For
the ILS meeting 10 travel grants were approved for a total of $5,480.
The year's total was 13 grants for $7,580. A motion to authorize $12,000
for next year was approved.
Joint Council for Quantum Electronics
Eberly presented a brief report on behalf of Walmsley who was absent
at that time.
Interdisciplinary Laser Science Conference
Lester presented a report on conference funding. A total of $14,000
was received from NSF-Physics, ARO, ACS-PRF, Spectra Physics and Continuum.
Much of the funding was slated for student or foreign speaker support.
Some unspent funds remained and Lester will request a no-cost extension
allowing the funds to be used for ILS-13. There was discussion on enhancing
the conference for students and post docs by including sessions as jobs,
resumi writing, etc. A proposal to underwrite free registration for students
will be investigated.
Other Business
Houston requested $3,000 to fund DLS participation in the APS March
meeting. The funding was approved. Hill requested $1,000-2,000 for participation
in "Congressional Day" during the April APS/DAMOP Washington meeting.
The request was approved.
DEADLINES
Distinguished Lecturer Applications (Fall 1997): 17 January 1997
CLEO/QELS Student Travel Grants: 7 March 1997
ILS-XIII/OSA Student Travel Grants: 15 August 1997
Fellow Nominations: 1 April, 1997
OSA '97 & ILS Abstracts: 1 May, 1997
Distinguished Lecturer Applications (Spring 1998): 15 June 1997
ASK YOUR COLLEAGUES TO
JOIN THE DIVISION OF LASER SCIENCE
The Division of Laser Science (DLS) is a subunit of the American Physical
Society (APS) specifically concerned with the use of lasers in science,
the application of lasers in technology, and the interests of the laser
community within the APS.
The DLS
- Promotes laser interests within the APS and represents such interests
with other societies.
- Sponsors awards and educational program, including a Distinguished
Traveling Lecturer Program aimed at four-year institutions.
- Cosponsors the Interdisciplinary Laser Science (ILS) and Quantum
Electronics and Laser Science (QELS) Conferences.
Benefits of Membership
- Summer research fellowships for undergraduate students sponsored
by DLS members.
- Travel grants to the ILS and QELS for graduate students sponsored
by DLS members.
- The DLS Newsletter, a valuable source of information related to your
profession.
- A route to APS Fellowship.
- Influence of the Laser Science actions in APS.
How to Join
If you are already an APS member, check the DLS on your APS renewal
form and include the additional $6 with your dues. If you have already
renewed your APS membership for the year beginning 1 July 1996, or
if you are not an APS member, call the APS Membership Department
at (301) 209-3280 or look up the membership information on the APS Home
Page at http://aps.org./memb/membapp.cfm (select ASCII Text or HTML
format).
