Long wave infrared optical parametric oscillator for hyperspectral sensing applications

在国防与安全、石油与天然气和医疗诊断领域的广泛传感应用将大大受益于在长波红外（LWIR）中工作的广泛可调谐红外光源。迄今为止，商业上可获得的源大多在中红外波长带中发射。长波红外光源在探测更多的物种方面提供了实质性的好处，并通过探测光谱指纹区域（5- 12微米）中更强的吸收特征来提高灵敏度。虽然有多种方法可以覆盖该光谱区域中的特定波长，但光学参量振荡器（OPO）格式具有在长波红外中主导真实的世界应用的潜力。OPO联合收割机结合了高光学输出、光谱纯度和可调谐性，并能够集成到紧凑、坚固且具有成本效益的设备中。这些属性在目标应用程序中至关重要，目前没有任何其他单一来源提供。总的市场机会估计至少为2.5亿美元，预计在进入市场后的3-5年内销售额为100-200台/年，每年产生约500 - 1000万英镑的收入。我们建议利用非线性材料（ZGP和OP-GaAs）的最新进展，将M Squared已建立的红外光源和传感解决方案组合扩展到长波红外。将这些新材料与M Squared开创性的腔内泵送方案相结合，将实现真正的免提系统，可用于广泛的应用。该项目将在多个层面产生影响。在社会层面上，这种颠覆性技术可以帮助检测疾病和监测空气污染，提高福祉和生活质量。在环境方面，可以用该设备监测工业排放。最后，M Squared被定位为LWIR传感解决方案最前沿的市场领导者，将产生重大的经济影响，从而增加就业和出口。

A wide range of sensing applications in defence & security, oil & gas and medical diagnostics would greatly benefit from broadly tunable infrared light sources operating in the long-wave infrared (LWIR). To date, commercially available sources are mostly emitting in the mid-IR wavelength band. LWIR sources offer substantial benefits in terms of detecting more species and increased sensitivities through probing stronger, absorption features in the spectral fingerprint region (5-12micrometers). While there are a variety of approaches that could cover specific wavelengths in this spectral region, the optical parametric oscillator (OPO) format has the potential to dominate real world applications in the LWIR. OPOs combine high optical output, spectral purity and tunability, with the capability of being integrated into a compact, rugged and cost-effective device. These properties are critical in the target applications and are currently not offered by any other single source. The total market opportunity is estimated to be at least $250m pa with estimated sales of the order of 100-200 units pa within 3-5 years of market entry, generating revenues of c£5-10m pa.We propose to exploit recent advances in nonlinear materials (ZGP and OP-GaAs) to extend M Squared’s established portfolio of IR source and sensing solutions into the LWIR. Combining these novel materials with M Squared’s pioneering intracavity pumping scheme will enable a truly hands- free system that can be used in a wide range of applications. The project will have impact on multiple levels. On a social level, this disruptive technology can aid the detection of diseases and monitor air pollution, enhancing well-being and quality of life. In the environmental context, industrial emission can be monitored with the device. Lastly, there will be significant economic impact from M Squared being positioned as a market leader at the forefront of LWIR sensing solutions, resulting in increased employment and export.