Seed Grant Highlight – Dr. Yan Zhou, UNLV

Seed Grant Highlight – Dr. Yan Zhou, UNLV

Yan Zhou, Assistant Professor (Josh Hawkins/UNLV)

As a part of the HDRFS project, the research funded by the seed grant “Advancing Fire Science with Optical Frequency Comb Spectroscopy” (PI – Dr. Yan Zhou, Department of Physics and Astronomy, UNLV, Co-PI – Ms. Jiaqi Li, Department of Computer Science, UNLV) focuses on applying optical frequency comb (OFC) spectroscopy in the investigation of the composition and dynamics of combustion process, an essential topic in the HDRFS research.  The work is under development, and it is to catalyze a new research territory and establish a long-term collaboration at the forefront of an interdisciplinary effort between science and engineering.

The primary objective of this seed project is to develop an experimental platform integrating three key components: (1) an optical system (comprising an optical frequency comb (OFC), lasers, and an interferometer), (2) a combustion system (a vacuum system with gas delivery), and (3) an electronics control system (data acquisition and processing hardware/software). Preliminary progress has been achieved across all three areas. A prototype measurement—absorption spectroscopy of water molecules—has been successfully conducted, demonstrating the effective integration of these components. Additionally, critical parameters for optimizing system performance and expanding its applications in HDRFS have been identified and incorporated into the upgraded system design and implementation.

Dual optical frequency comb spectroscopy system in the lab (Dr. Yan Zhou/UNLV)

Two graduate students are actively involved in this project. Ms. Stephanie Letourneau, a PhD student in physics at UNLV, is supported by this grant to focus primarily on establishing optical and combustion systems. She has developed expertise in glassware fabrication, customization of narrow-linewidth lasers, and fundamental principles of optical frequency metrology. Additionally, she is forging connections between this HDRFS project and a NASA-led initiative on precision spectroscopy of interstellar molecules.

Ms. Jiaqi Li, a PhD student in computer science at UNLV, is also supported by this grant and is leading the development of an experimental control system based on process-oriented programming (POP) for data acquisition and real-time analysis. She is designing a four-layer control framework that integrates formal POP principles into widely used object-oriented programming (OOP) languages, such as Python. Her work is expected to not only enhance the HDRFS project but also contribute to innovative control systems for broader applications in quantum science research.

The seed grant awards are funded through the HDRFS project for one year at $30,000 to provide additional research, education and workforce development, and sustainability in areas relevant to the HDRFS project.