Research Activities:
Infrared Glass and Sensors Group:
The main body of our research centers on chalcogenide glasses which are transparent in the infrared domain and are therefore applied to a wide range of fields including thermal imaging, remote spectroscopy, medical imaging or astronomy. 
Photosensitive processes in chalcogenide glass:
A low-cost laser microfabrication technique for processing optical components such as waveguide and gratings using photosensitive chalcogenide glasses is investigated. This technique has great potential for fast and cheap processing of telecom devices, bio-sensors and other IR imaging devices. This research activities consists in measuring and understanding the mechanism of structural relaxation effect in the glass during laser processing. Structural changes are induced with a laser in various chalcogenide glasses. Using this technique the glass can even be "melted" at room temperature. This research is conducted to determine the mechanism of these phenomenon, their wavelength, temperature and composition dependence. Many applications follow such as optical memories or waveguide writing.
Tellurium Glass with wide IR transparency:
We have developed a new family of glass based on Tellurium which allows to collect the infrared signal emitted by molecules far into the IR. These glasses have an unprecedented wide transparency in the infrared and can be shaped into any optical component. Gas molecules such as H2O, CO2 and O3 are specific markers of potential life on remote exoplanets. Hence the ability to selectively detect these molecules provides a way to identify planets which are likely to harvest life. Drawn into monomode fibers these glasses have the potential to act as light filter that permits to identify earth-like planets as part of a telescope deployed into space
Live-Cell based bio-optic sensors:
Live human lung cells are coated onto an IR transparent chalcogenide glasses fibres and their “health” is monitored by recording their IR vibrational spectra. This Fiber Evanescent Wave Spectroscopy technique (FEWS) uses a single chalcogenide fiber as the sensor and transmission line for IR optical signal. The sensing zone of the fiber is coated with live human cells that act as a sensitizer for detection of minute quantities of toxicant and bio-hazardous molecules. A monolayer of human alveolar epithelial cells form strong attachment at the surface of the fiber sensing zone and live in contact with the fiber while their IR spectra is collected remotely. Biochemical change in the living cells are detected during exposure to toxic agents. Variations in the spectroscopic features of the cells can be observed in different spectral regions. This research field is currently a high priority due to its direct relevance to issues of homeland security. 
Infrared Glass Ceramics with new functionalities:
This project aims at developing a new generation of advanced glass ceramics with tailored functionalities for a range of application in infrared optics. Various nucleating agents can be added to a chalcogenide glass matrix to produce nano-crystal and generate materials with new and unique properties. This results in a wide range of potential applications including, non-linear properties for second harmonic generation, nanoporous structures for infrared sensing, near-zero thermal dispersion for highly sensitive optical systems and rare earth doping for high efficiency luminescence. IR optical components with nanoporous surface were design using these glass-ceramics and used to trap and detect small molecules.
Outreach and Education:
We have developed a joint PhD program between the University of Arizona and the University of Rennes in France that provides students with a unique exposure to international research environments. This international research and education collaboration has recently culminated with the creation of an official CNRS International Associated Laboratory which provides an administrative framework for collaborations between our institutions. This program was supported by the National Science Foundation
• Students alternate class and research between the two institutions every semester.
• Course credits are transferable between the two University.
• The program benefits from a strong complementarity in expertise between the research groups involved.
Selected Publications
- L. Calvez, Z. Yang, P. Lucas, Light-induced matrix softening of Ge-As-Se network glasses, Phys. Rev. Lett. (2008) in press.
- A. A. Wilhelm, C. Boussard-Plédel, Q. Coulombier, J. Lucas, B. Bureau, P. Lucas, Development of far-infrared-transmitting Te based glasses suitable for carbon dioxide detection and space optics, Adv. Mat. 19, 3796 (2007).
- P. Lucas, Energy landscape and photoinduced structural changes in chalcogenide glasses, J. Phys: Condens. Matter. 18, 5629 (2006).
- P. Lucas, E. A. King, A. Doraiswamy, P. Jivaganont, Competitive photostructural effects in Ge-Se glass. Phys. Rev. B, 71, 104207 (2005)
- P. Lucas, Measurement of Optical Properties of Solids, Encyclopedia of Modern Optics, edited by Robert D. Guenther, Duncan G. Steel and Leopold Bayvel, Elsevier, Oxford, (2004)
- P. Lucas, M R. Riley, C. Boussard-Pledel, B. Bureau, Advances in chalcogenide fibers evanescent-wave biochemical sensing, Analytical Biochemistry, 351, 1 (2006) (Review paper)
- P. Lucas, A. Wilhelm, D. L. DeRosa, M. R. Riley, Biocompatibility of chalcogenide fibers for cell-based optical sensing, J. Mat. Res., 22, 1098 (2007)
- M. R. Riley, P. Lucas, D. Le Coq, J. Collier, D. E. Boesewetter, D.M. DeRosa, M. E. Katterman, C. Boussard-Plédel, B. Bureau, Lung cell fiber evanescent wave spectroscopic biosensing of inhalation health hazards, Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 95, 599 (2006)
- P. Lucas, M. A. Solis, D. Le Coq, C. Juncker, M. R. Riley, J. Collier, D. E. Boesewetter, C. Boussard-Plédel, B. Bureau, Infrared biosensors using hydrophobic chalcogenide fibers sensitized with live cells, Sensors and Actuators B, 119, 355 (2006)
- P. Lucas, D. Le Coq, C. Juncker, J. Collier, D. E. Boesewetter, C. Boussard-Plédel, B. Bureau, M. R. Riley, Evaluation of toxic agent effects on lung cells by Fiber Evanescent Wave Spectroscopy (FEWS) Applied Spectroscopy, 59, 1 (2005)
Organizations- American Ceramic Society
- SPIE (Optical Engineering)
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