Long wave infrared optical parametric oscillator for hyperspectral sensing applications

在国防和安全、石油和天然气以及医疗诊断方面的广泛传感应用将极大地受益于长波红外（LWIR）的广泛可调红外光源。到目前为止，商业上可用的光源大多在中红外波段发射。通过探测光谱指纹区（5-12微米）更强的吸收特征，LWIR源在探测更多物种和提高灵敏度方面提供了实质性的好处。虽然有多种方法可以覆盖该光谱区域的特定波长，但光学参量振荡器（OPO）格式有可能在LWIR的实际应用中占据主导地位。opo结合了高光输出、光谱纯度和可调性，能够集成到紧凑、坚固和经济高效的设备中。这些属性在目标应用程序中是至关重要的，目前没有任何其他单一来源提供这些属性。总市场机会估计至少为每年2.5亿美元，预计在进入市场的3-5年内，每年的销售额为100-200套，每年的收入为500 - 1000万英镑。我们建议利用非线性材料（ZGP和OP-GaAs）的最新进展，将M Squared已建立的红外源和传感解决方案组合扩展到LWIR中。将这些新型材料与M Squared开创性的腔内泵浦方案相结合，将实现真正的免操作系统，可用于广泛的应用。该项目将对多个层面产生影响。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，该装置可以监测工业排放。最后，M Squared被定位为LWIR传感解决方案前沿的市场领导者，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.