Tunable laser source in the 6-10 um by difference frequency generation in BRW and QPM AIGaAs

该项目涉及多伦多大学和Genia Photonics合作开发非线性混频设备，以利用非线性光学效应访问6-10微米之间的中红外光谱范围。建议的设备是基于GENIA已经开发的产生中红外光的近红外脉冲激光的差频混频。两种不同的技术将被并排研究，只有一种解决方案将被选为首选平台。第一种技术是基于相位匹配的AlGaAsBragg反射波导中的差频混频，该技术最初由多伦多大学的研究小组于2006年提出，此后被证明是成功的。第二种技术是由多伦多大学和格拉斯哥大学合作开发的准相位匹配AlGaAs光波导。利用布拉格反射光波导和准相位匹配器件，可以在6-10微米的光谱范围内实现几百纳米范围内的宽波长调谐。

This project involves a partnership between the University of Toronto and Genia Photonics to develop nonlinear frequency mixing devices to access the mid-infrared spectral range between 6-10 µm using nonlinear optical effects. The proposed devices are based on difference-frequency mixing of near-infrared pulsed lasers already developed by Genia to generate mid-infrared light. Two separate technologies will be investigated side by side and only one solution will be chosen as the preferred platform. The first technology is based on difference-frequency mixing in phase-matched AlGaAs Bragg reflection waveguides which has been initially proposed by the group at the University of Toronto in 2006 and has been proven successful since then. The second technology uses quasi-phase-matched AlGaAs waveguides which was developed between the University of Toronto and Glasgow University. Wide wavelength tunablity in range of few hundreds of nanometers within 6-10 µm spectral range is sought using both Bragg reflection waveguides and quasi-phase-matched devices.