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

该提案要求提供资金，用于购买两种最先进的光学部件-㈠发射波长在1850-2010纳米范围内可调的激光器; ㈡能够确定系统发射的1000-2600纳米范围内的光的强度和波长的光谱分析仪。这两个部件一起构成经典的发射和接收光学系统。虽然这样的系统已经在400 nm至1550 nm的波长范围内使用了几十年，但很少有工具与2000 nm左右的波长对准。这种所谓的中红外区域（或在这种情况下中红外的高频分量）正在成为一系列应用的重要光学窗口。在本提案中，我们强调了将解决的三个应用：（1）光通信;（2）半导体表征（特别是与光伏电池相关）;（3）痕量气体的光学传感。第一个应用程序解决了互联网指数增长所驱动的对数据带宽不断增长的需求。我们计划开发可以在2000 nm而不是更传统的1310 nm和1550 nm波长下携带信息的设备。第二个应用将提供一种新的方法来测量太阳能电池的特性，称为少数载流子寿命（主导太阳能电池效率的特性）。第三项应用将用于发展对痕量气体的广泛光学探测，特别是在自然资源勘探的偏远地区。所要求的设备将是加拿大唯一的，并将使我们能够提高加拿大在光子创新方面的声誉。这些设备将基本上在100%的潜在正常运行时间内得到利用，每年可培训数十名研究生。

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.