Acquisition of a Tunable, High Power, Mid-Infrared Laser

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This proposal is for acquisition of a high power, broadly tunable, narrow bandwidth MIR laser. The mid-infrared (MIR) region of the spectrum is rich in vibrational transitions of molecules and electronic transitions between excited states in atoms and nanoscale systems. These transitions can be used to monitor trace gases for health and environmental applications, probe the underlying structure of molecules, or manipulate and control the internal and external properties of atoms. For these applications, there is a great need for a high power, broadly tunable, narrow bandwidth MIR laser. The SpectroStar continuous wave optical parametric oscillator (OPO) laser from Electronic Laser System Corporation, with output wavelength from 2-5 microns, is the first commercially available laser to fill this need. The MIR region of the spectrum is becoming increasingly important as new technologies develop, and investment in this laser system will allow photonics researchers at Rice to make major contributions to this field and train the next generation of scientists and engineers to capitalize on these advances. The broader impacts involve student education as well as outreach and efforts in diversity.