Tunable Laser Source and Optical Spectrum Analyzer for the Mid-IR

该提案要求提供资金，用于购买两个最先进的光学部件--(I)发射波长在1850-2010纳米范围内可调的激光器；(Ii)能够确定1000-2600纳米范围内系统发出的光的强度和波长的光谱分析仪。这两项共同构成了一个经典的发射和接收光学系统。虽然这样的系统已经使用了几十年，波长范围从400 nm到1550 nm，但很少有工具可以与2000 nm左右的波长对准。这种所谓的中红外区域(或者在这种情况下是中红外的高频分量)正在成为一系列应用的重要光学窗口。在本提案中，我们将重点介绍三个应用：(1)光通信；(2)半导体特性(特别与光伏电池相关)；以及(3)痕量气体的光学传感。第一个应用解决了由互联网的指数增长推动的对数据带宽日益增长的需求。我们计划开发能够在2000 nm处传输信息的设备，而不是更传统的1310 nm和1550 nm波长。第二个应用将提供一种测量太阳能电池特性的新方法，称为少数载流子寿命(决定太阳能电池效率的特性)。第三个应用将用于开发广泛的痕量气体光学检测，特别是在自然资源勘探的偏远地区。所要求的设备在加拿大将是独一无二的，并将使我们能够提高加拿大在光电子创新方面的声誉。这些设备基本上将在100%的潜在正常运行时间内得到利用，每年将有利于数十名研究生的培训。

This proposal requests funds for the purchase of two state-of-the-art optical components - (i) A Laser whose emission wavelength is tunable in the range 1850-2010 nm; (ii) An Optical Spectrum Analyzer, capable of determining the intensity and wavelength of light emitted from a system in the range 1000-2600 nm. Together these two items constitute a classical transmit and receive optical system. While such systems have been in use for decades for wavelengths ranging from 400 nm to 1550 nm, very few tools exist that are aligned to wavelengths around 2000nm. This so-called Mid-IR region (or in this case the high-frequency component of the mid-IR) is emerging as an important optical window for a range of applications. In this proposal we highlight three applications that will be addressed: (1) Optical communications; (2) Semiconductor Characterization (specifically related to PhotoVoltaic Cells); and (3) Optical sensing of trace gases. The first application addresses the ever-increasing demand for data bandwidth driven by the exponential growth of the internet. We plan to develop devices that can carry information at 2000 nm rather than the more traditional wavelengths of 1310 nm and 1550 nm. The second application will provide a new method for measuring the property of a solar cell known as minority carrier lifetime (the property that dominates the solar cell efficiency). The third application will provide for the development of widespread optical detection of trace gases, particularly with regard to remote areas of natural resource exploration. The equipment requested will be unique within Canada and will allow us to enhance Canada’s reputation in photonics innovation. The equipment will be utilized essentially at 100% of potential up-time, benefiting the training of many tens of graduate students per year.