There is a growing need for highly trained, experienced laser scientists and engineers, not only throughout the Department of Defense and the supporting defense industry, but also other federal agencies—e.g., Department of Energy, NASA, Health and Human Services—and the industries that surround them. The Laser Division of the Air Force Research Laboratory's Directed Energy Directorate is meeting this challenge through its Center of Excellence for High-Energy Lasers at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. The purpose of this innovative Center of Excellence is to produce new generations of scientists and engineers highly trained in the development and application of advanced laser technology.
Today's laser research requires knowledge in many different disciplines, including physics, electrical and mechanical engineering, chemistry, and control theory. Until the Center of Excellence in High-Energy Lasers was established, few opportunities existed for students to obtain high-level training in these disciplines related to the development and use of cutting-edge laser technology. Now the Center represents the best equipped, staffed, and networked facility in the country for students seeking advanced learning in this field.
The Directorate itself provides an unmatched collection of state-of-the-art laser equipment and facilities, experienced mentors, work-for-education opportunities, and real-world research projects for the students, while also managing the Center day to day. Key to the Center's success, however, is the exceptional level of cooperation from its many partners—the Air Force Institute of Technology and the U.S. Air Force Academy, together with the University of New Mexico, the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Emory University, and the University of Central Florida. Each of these organizations contributes equipment and facilities, projects, technical expertise, and in the case of the universities, students. Tying all of this together, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research provides grants and stipends to many of the students working through the Center of Excellence in High-Energy Lasers.
The Center of Excellence is a prime example of technology transfer as defined by the Department of Defense: "the intentional communication (sharing) of knowledge, expertise, equipment and other resources for application to military and nonmilitary systems." In addition, the Center is a winning arrangement for all participants. The students benefit from working side-by-side with experienced research professionals to solve real-world problems using cutting-edge, state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. The universities are meeting their missions to provide relevant educational opportunities, which in turn attract more attention and thus more students to their science, math, chemistry, and engineering departments. Most importantly, the public benefits from the Center bringing interested, enthusiastic students to work with experienced researchers on the development of complex, laser-related technologies, ensuring the Air Force, other defense and non-defense-related agencies, and the private sector a continuing pool of highly trained, experienced laser specialists.
