On Optics in Canada K. M. Baird Introduction This issue of APPLIED OPTICS featuring optics in Canada as a tribute in our centennial year is an honor which will be much appreciated by Canadians who work in optics. It is a gesture typical of the cordial attitude we have become accustomed to in our col- leagues in the U.S. A survey of optics in Canada has already been given by this journal in the issue of May 1962 featuring Inter- national Optics. The characteristics and scope of optical activities in Canada have not changed much since then in relation to the rest of the world, and it is not intended to repeat what was given then in this short introductory article. However, a little updating is in order. Also, it probably ought to be pointed out again that, for economic and geographic reasons, optics in Canada is not characterized by a large optical in- dustry, or a large amount of technological development, nor does it have a national optics institute or society. Rather it is diffused into a number of small groups and largely is used as a tool associated with other activities and research. Indeed, an important part of Canada's contribution to the field of optics is by way of the large number of Canadian (or Canadian trained) scientists who work in the U.S.; Arthur Schawlow of Stanford is a distinguished example in a field which has recently be- come very important. The following paragraphs aim at giving a brief survey of optics done in Canada, not in an attempt at a com- plete picture, but only in order to indicate the nature of typical programs. Optics in Universities Work concerned with optics in Canadian universities consists mostly of spectroscopy or of applications of optical techniques to fundamental research such as in plasma diagnostics, for example. Table I lists such programs for many of the universities and will give an idea of the scope of optical activities and the principal associated names. It is not complete nor is it even consistent in its relative treatment of the various groups. For example, mention of the microwave optics program The author is with the Division of Applied Physics, National Research Council, Ottawa 7. Received 16 June 1967. at McGill University does not really do justice to the most important program there which carries on the earlier programs of Professors Woonton and Bekefi and their many students. This program, which is no longer in the Physics Department, and Professor Polanyi's work in the Department of Chemistry in Toronto are exceptions to the general list, which is the result of enquiries that were addressed to physics departments. The important work of the spectroscopic groups at Toronto and Saskatchewan are reviewed in detail in separate articles in this issue as is the optics program at Laval University. The latter is notable, especially as being the only significant university program devoted to optics other than spectroscopy. Optics in Industry As pointed out in the May 1962 article, economic and geographic reasons have so far not generally favored the growth of optical industries in Canada, apart from sub- sidiary spectacle and camera operations and the occa- sional small special component company, such as Applied Physics Company in Toronto. A notable exception to this general lack of an optical industry, however, is the E. Leitz Company factory at Midland, Ontario. Since its establishment in 1952, this plant has evolved from a small assembly and optics production facility to one capable not only of produc- ing, but also of developing the most complex precision optical and mechanical systems. Although the company is perhaps best known for the manufacture of cameras and photographic lenses, Leitz Canada has extensive design and development experi- ence, as well as complete manufacturing capability, in many areas of industrial, scientific, and military optics. Its activities include the development and manufacture of optical system for data processing, optics for image amplifiers, lenses for microrecording cameras and pro- jectors, including the uv range, lenses for air recon- naissance cameras and lasers. At present, in excess of one thousand complete lens assemblies are produced monthly, each of which incorporates an average of seven elements. An example of industrial research in noninstrumental optics is the Optical and Micro Wave group under A. I. Carswell at the RCA laboratories in Montreal. This group has an active program devoted to the study of gas lasers, photo diodes, longitudinal fields in microwave lens systems, etc. October 1967 / Vol. 6, No. 10 / APPLIED OPTICS 1589
Transcript
On Optics in Canada
K. M. Baird
Introduction
This issue of APPLIED OPTICS featuring optics inCanada as a tribute in our centennial year is an honorwhich will be much appreciated by Canadians whowork in optics. It is a gesture typical of the cordialattitude we have become accustomed to in our col-leagues in the U.S.
A survey of optics in Canada has already been givenby this journal in the issue of May 1962 featuring Inter-national Optics. The characteristics and scope ofoptical activities in Canada have not changed muchsince then in relation to the rest of the world, and it isnot intended to repeat what was given then in thisshort introductory article. However, a little updatingis in order. Also, it probably ought to be pointed outagain that, for economic and geographic reasons, opticsin Canada is not characterized by a large optical in-dustry, or a large amount of technological development,nor does it have a national optics institute or society.Rather it is diffused into a number of small groups andlargely is used as a tool associated with other activitiesand research. Indeed, an important part of Canada'scontribution to the field of optics is by way of the largenumber of Canadian (or Canadian trained) scientistswho work in the U.S.; Arthur Schawlow of Stanford is adistinguished example in a field which has recently be-come very important.
The following paragraphs aim at giving a brief surveyof optics done in Canada, not in an attempt at a com-plete picture, but only in order to indicate the natureof typical programs.
Optics in Universities
Work concerned with optics in Canadian universitiesconsists mostly of spectroscopy or of applications ofoptical techniques to fundamental research such as inplasma diagnostics, for example. Table I lists suchprograms for many of the universities and will give anidea of the scope of optical activities and the principalassociated names. It is not complete nor is it evenconsistent in its relative treatment of the various groups.For example, mention of the microwave optics program
The author is with the Division of Applied Physics, NationalResearch Council, Ottawa 7.
Received 16 June 1967.
at McGill University does not really do justice to themost important program there which carries on theearlier programs of Professors Woonton and Bekefi andtheir many students. This program, which is no longerin the Physics Department, and Professor Polanyi'swork in the Department of Chemistry in Toronto areexceptions to the general list, which is the result ofenquiries that were addressed to physics departments.
The important work of the spectroscopic groups atToronto and Saskatchewan are reviewed in detail inseparate articles in this issue as is the optics program atLaval University. The latter is notable, especially asbeing the only significant university program devoted tooptics other than spectroscopy.
Optics in Industry
As pointed out in the May 1962 article, economic andgeographic reasons have so far not generally favored thegrowth of optical industries in Canada, apart from sub-sidiary spectacle and camera operations and the occa-sional small special component company, such asApplied Physics Company in Toronto.
A notable exception to this general lack of an opticalindustry, however, is the E. Leitz Company factory atMidland, Ontario. Since its establishment in 1952, thisplant has evolved from a small assembly and opticsproduction facility to one capable not only of produc-ing, but also of developing the most complex precisionoptical and mechanical systems.
Although the company is perhaps best known for themanufacture of cameras and photographic lenses, LeitzCanada has extensive design and development experi-ence, as well as complete manufacturing capability, inmany areas of industrial, scientific, and military optics.Its activities include the development and manufactureof optical system for data processing, optics for imageamplifiers, lenses for microrecording cameras and pro-jectors, including the uv range, lenses for air recon-naissance cameras and lasers. At present, in excess ofone thousand complete lens assemblies are producedmonthly, each of which incorporates an average ofseven elements.
An example of industrial research in noninstrumentaloptics is the Optical and Micro Wave group under A. I.Carswell at the RCA laboratories in Montreal. Thisgroup has an active program devoted to the study of gaslasers, photo diodes, longitudinal fields in microwavelens systems, etc.
Table I. Research Programs in Optics at Canadian Universities
University Program in Optics Scientists
Alberta
British Columbia
Dalhousie,Nova Scotia
Ecole Polytechnique(Montreal)
LavalManitoba
McGill
New Brunswick
Saskatchewan,Toronto
Waterloo (Ontario)
Interferometric measurements of wavelengths of 8 Krand sources of secondary standards
Zeeman effect studies in Gd and Gd ii and other rareearth elements
Radiative lifetime measurements by the foil excitationmethod
Atomic spectra, classification of atomic energy levelsMolecular spectroscopy, e.g., Stark splitting in diatomic
molecules, determination of dipole moments using amodified LoSurdo source
Plasma diagnostics, e.g., electron velocity profiles usingscattering of laser light, time resolved spectroscopy,radiative lifetimes by photon counting, etc.
Photoconductivity and Stark effect in boron doped silicon,temperature dependency of line widths for internalimpurity levels
Studies of optical properties of solids, e.g., temperaturedependence of the reflectivity spectrum of Zn betweenroom temperature and its melting point in relation topositron annililation experiments; reflectivity of Cii-Znalloys as a function of Zn concentration, study ofsurface irregularities on reflectance
Very high resolution multichannel Fabry-Perotphotoelectric spectrometry; study of rare earthresonance lamps; laser techniques for analysis ofFabry-Perot instrumental profiles
See paper on page 1649Study of magnetic hyperfine structure and isotope
shifts with high resolution Fabry-Perot spectroscopyMicrowave optics: development and use of instru-
mentation and computational techniques in a detailedstudy of amplitude, phase and polarization of variousmicrowave optical situations in the near field of lenses,apertures, and scattering and diffracting obstacles
Spectroscopy associated with high magnetic field studies,e.g., electronic spectra of antiferromagnetic phases ofmanganese salts Zeeman splittings in Eu2(WO4)3 with3 X 105 Oersted pulsed fields, far ir vibration-librationspectra of KsFe(CN)6, etc.
Molecular spectroscopy: high resolution studies ofelectronic spectra of free radicals produced by flashphotolysis studied in emission and absorption (e.g.,SiO, SiCI, PO, SiC]2)
Application of a ring laser to underground surveying ofmines; the application of diffraction of coherent lightin the use of Fourier transform methods for NMRspectroscopy
See paper page 1609See paper on page 1597; alsoSpectroscopic studies of ir chemiluminescence, including
observation of consequent stimulated emission, fromcontinuous mixing of chemical reagents
Automatic ellipsometry on thin anodic oxide filmsComparison of indium-doped germanium and Zn doped
GaAs as far ir detectorsStudy of optical properties of II-VI compound semi-
conductors, e.g., electroluminescence, optical absorp-tion vs crystallinity in evaporated films, frequencydependent photoeffects
Electron and ion emission from solid surfaces irradiatedwith Q-switched ruby lasers
Brillouin and Raman scattering from solids and liquids
Western Ontario Study of CN (337 u) and H20 (119 ,) lasers; semiconductor E. Brannen andoptics, e.g., defect states in doped CaF 2 ; second M. Schlesingerharmonic generation; properties of electrodelesslygrown metallic films
Windsor (Ontario) Atomic spectroscopy, e.g., measurement of alkali atom- L. Krause and associatesrare gas collision cross sections, determination ofquenching and collision induced change of excited states
York (Ontario) Spectra of a broad range of atomic and molecular species R. W. Nicholls and H. I. Schiff(Centre for research which play an important role in radiative processesin experimental space of astrophysics, also studies of airglow, planetaryscience) atmospheres, etc., using shock tubes, lasers, pho-
tometry and other spectroscopic techniques
Other examples of industrial optical research anddevelopment are to be found at Duplate of Canada,Ltd., Oshawa, Ontario; Barringer Research Ltd.,Rexdale, Ontario; and Edo Ltd., at Cornwall, Ontario.
Optics in Government
The main concentration of research in general opticsand optics technology in the country is in the Divisionof Applied Physics of the National Research Council.Here, approximately twenty scientists in groups headedby Drs. Wyszecki, Lansraux, Carman, and Baird con-duct research in radiometry and colorimetry; diffrac-tion in the visible and microwave regions; instrumentaloptics; interferometry and thin films; gas lasers andsemiconductor optics.
The National Research Council also has a number ofgroups working in spectroscopic applications in addi-tion to that described elsewhere in this issue by Douglasand Herzberg: H. Bernstein, R. N. Jones, and D.Ramsay have active programs in molecular spectroscopyin their groups; lasers are used both in production anddiagnosis of plasmas by Dr. Ramsden. Molecularspectroscopy is also used by M. Falk at NRC in Halifax
in studying physicochemical and biophysical problems.Far ir spectroscopy is used in the Applied ChemistryDivision, and giant pulsed lasers and fluorescence arestudied in the Electrical Engineering Division.
These examples from NRC are the best known to theauthor, but a considerable amount of optical work isalso scattered throughout other government depart-ments, notable examples of which are: the Defence Re-search Board's upper atmosphere spectroscopy programat Valcartier, P.Q., and its laser research at Shirley'sBay, Ontario; the spectroscopic applications to atmo-sphere studies in the Department of Transport; and thespectroscopic and astronomical applications in the De-partment of Mines and Technical Surveys.
Conclusion
It is hoped that this incomplete and perhaps notsufficiently representative sampling will give a reason-able over-all impression of the kind of optics in Canada.For a more accurate picture, the reader is referred tothe scientific literature, such as, for example, the tech-nical and review articles by Canadian authors thatappear in this issue.
Kenneth M. Baird National Research Council of Canada photo-graphed by D. L. MacAdam Eastman Kodak. Dr. Baird is theeditor of the feature on Optics in Canada in this October issue.
