Mid-infrared optical sources for sensing applications

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Ultra-compact and low energy consuming optical sources in the wavelength range of 2.0 um to 4.5 µm of the mid-infrared will be developed in the framework of this collaborative project. For this purpose, we propose to use chalcogenide glasses as the main engineering material, with their unique nonlinearity and transparency in the mid-infrared. The sources developed include tunable lasers, wavelength converters, supercontinuum sources and amplifiers to be used in compact chemical sensors devices. These sources respond to the current lack of illumination means in the mid-infrared, mainly for the industrial and biomedical communities. The project involves close collaborations in between McGill University and Coractive High-Tech. Together, we bring a collective expertise with chalcogenide glass purification, optical fibers and optical sources architectures. The workforce involved in this project includes students at the PhD level and undergraduate students, who will become experts in this innovative field of research. The Canadian industry will benefit from the intellectual property and highly qualified personnel developed in the framework of this project. We have already developed three patents in the course of the research on chalcogenide microwires. With the important need for optical sources in the mid-infrared and the strong potential of chalcogenide glass in this wavelength region, we intend to develop a unique IP package that will generate wealth for the Canadian society. The industrial collaborators from Coractive high-tech are strongly involved in the project by providing cash and in-kind contribution. In addition, they are source of precious advice for the direction of the project in light of their close interaction with the photonics market. Coractive, a specialty fiber industry, would be perfectly suited to take advantage of the IP package.