Mid-IR Broad-band Wavelength Tunable Quantum Cascaded Lasers covering 3-13 microns
Abstract
The popularity and maturity of Mid-IR integrated photonics provide a myriad of lab-on-chip applications critical for our national defense and security. Mid-IR quantum cascaded lasers (QCLs) covering the 3-to-13 micron range have a myriad of DOD-related present and future research interests which we at UT Austin have been exploring for many years. These include freespace optical communications, Lidar, chemical warfare agent (CWA) detections, and bio-chemical sensors for all species of interest. Mid-IR has the highest transparent window in the atmosphere and therefore most desirable for air-borne and space-borne communications. In sensing, MIR spectral range hosts fundamental vibrational-rotational transitions of virtually any chemical compound. These transitions are characteristics of molecular structures and allow performing chemical detection of all analytes of interest for Air Force, Space Force, Army, Navy, and US Marine. And the identification with both high sensitivity and specificity can be maintained by dual peak detection. While many of UT’s programs rely on a broad range of Mid-IR lasers, we currently do not have such a system resulting in very time-consuming assembly each time. In this DURIP proposal, we are requesting reliable broad-band tunable MidIR QCLs covering approximately 3 to approximately 13-micron operation wavelengths. The system currently is available from Daylight Solutions. The total cost including extended warranty and shipping is USD 167,245.00--The proposed system offers a coupling of narrow-linewidth and widely tunable Mid-IR wavelengths in passive and active devices for numerous applications as given below- 1. Wireless communication 2. Lidar based remote sensing 3. Chemical Warfare agent detection 4. Infectious diseases detection 5. Detection of heavy metals, VOCs, and TICs in air and water 6. Pathogen detection in Food and Beverage 7. Early cancer biomarkers detection 8. Pharmaceutical drug discovery Due to the large wavelength coverage, the system is truly an open platform suitable for many research programs from Air Force, Space Force, Army, Navy, and Marine. It is suitable not only for silicon chips but also for all types of integrated photonic chips where Mid-IR transparency (partially) is provided by the materials themselves. A myriad of existing and future projects in MidIR programs can be benefitted from the laser system proposed herein. Our group is one of a few leading research groups in the US working on MidIR integrated photonics. For each project, the proposed equipment can enhance our research capabilities and activities by offering a wide range of wavelength selections with a tuning mode of operation crucial to Lidar and range finder applications. It should be noted that the estimated lifetime of the equipment is expected around 10-15 years.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 06, 2024
- Source ID
- FA95502310481
Entities
People
- Ray Chen
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Texas at Austin