Transforming conventional PPLN-based frequency converters to cover 13-30 microns: bridging gap between mid-infrared and THz regions

目的研究室温下mgo掺杂的周期性极化LiNbO3 （PPLN）在13-30µm波段的差频高效产生远红外辐射。有效的转换是通过利用一种全新的配置，在这种配置下，两个入射光波在质子交换波导内传播，而远红外辐射从波导表面发射。π吗?s的目标是实现4个发射波长，峰值和平均功率分别达到2w和200µW。这种新颖的方法基于一个潜在的变革性概念，即通过利用表面发射几何形状，PI将能够显着扩展从掺氧化镁的PPLN波导产生的波长到远红外区域的极宽范围。这种扩展将使来自不同学科的研究人员能够在化学传感、生物和生物医学诊断和治疗以及爆炸物和化学剂检测方面实现变革性应用。目前，没有一种发射器能够在室温下覆盖13-30µm。更广泛的影响如果这项建议得到资助，PI将积极招募少数民族或女学生进行拟议的研究。获资助的研究生将与PI合作，将资助期间获得的研究成果整合到三个演示中，分别用于课堂教学、本科生和研究生实验室、高中生夏令营和年度校园招聘活动。基于上述几个重要的应用，通过提出的研究实施的紧凑型和便携式远红外发射器最终将对社会产生巨大影响。

ObjectivePI plans to investigate efficient generation of far-infrared radiation in 13-30 µm based on difference-frequency generation in MgO-doped periodically-poled LiNbO3 (PPLN) at room temperature. The efficient conversion is made possible by utilizing a completely novel configuration under which the two incoming optical waves propagate inside a proton-exchanged waveguide, whereas the far-infrared radiation is emitted from the waveguide surface. PI?s goal is to achieve four emission wavelengths, with the peak and average powers reaching 2 W and 200 µW, respectively.Intellectual MeritSuch a novel approach is based on a potentially transformative concept, i.e. by taking advantage of the surface-emitting geometry PI will be able to dramatically expand the wavelengths generated from a MgO-doped PPLN waveguide to an extremely wide range in the far-infrared region. Such an expansion will enable researchers from different disciplines to achieve transformative applications in chemical sensing, biological and bio-medical diagnostics and therapy, and explosive and chemical-agent detections. Presently, no emitter is capable of covering 13-30 µm under the room-temperature operation.Broader ImpactIf this proposal is funded, PI will actively recruit a minority or female student to conduct the proposed research. The graduate student supported by this grant will work with PI to integrate the research results obtained during the funding period into three demos for classroom teaching, labs for undergraduate and graduate students, high-school student summer camps, and annual campus recruitment events. The compact and portable far-infrared emitters to be implemented through the proposed research will ultimately make huge impacts on society based on several important applications outlined above.