A high-power wavelength-tunable continuous wave laser for single-shot ultrafast optical imaging in the near-infrared spectrum

对真实的非重复瞬态事件的单次超快光学成像（即，事件发生的实际持续时间）对于理解许多潜在的物理、化学和生物学原理是必不可少的。这项研究的成功在很大程度上要求该系统的光源具有高功率来仔细检查动态场景的空间异质性，可调波长以产生具有最高泵浦效率的研究中的现象，以及适当的脉冲宽度有效地提供光子而不损坏样品。在这方面，我们请求通过RTI赠款购买高功率，波长可调谐的连续波激光器，以开发两个超快近红外光学成像系统，即压缩光学扫描超快显微镜和太赫兹带宽，超长记录窗口光学示波器。这些系统将能够以皮秒到微秒的时间分辨率对不可重复的瞬态现象进行实时成像。这些新的实验平台将应用于三个应用：（1）神经活动的无标记成像，（2）在深层生物组织中使用稀土掺杂纳米颗粒进行精确的时空温度传感，以及（3）来自电信通道的光学波形的超快检测。所需激光器的规格完全适合这些拟议的研究任务。**除了在三个目标领域表现出令人信服的科学价值外，拟议的研究计划具有深远的潜在应用。这些系统的技术规格与先进激光光源（一个由国际原子能机构资助的国家基础设施）的现有设备具有高度互补性，将大大提高INRS-ÉMT的整体研究能力。此外，拟议的研究将产生宝贵的战略优势，超过世界各地的其他竞争集团，并使加拿大在一个高度竞争的领域的领导地位。除了在神经科学，材料科学和电信方面的直接影响外，从长远来看，该计划对THz成像，瞬态吸收光谱，电池界面的电化学反应和全身神经模式询问的未来研究具有很大的希望。申请人和主要合作者的出色业绩记录和互补专业知识将确保拟议计划的快速进展和整体成功，并最有效和最勤奋地使用所需设备。此外，该计划还吸引了国家和国际一流研究所不同领域的十位合作者。除了其科学价值外，拟议的研究活动将提供尽可能好的培训环境，以吸引和留住高素质的人员，为他们未来的职业生涯获得高度适销对路的技能。

Single-shot ultrafast optical imaging of non-repeatable, transient events in real time (i.e., the actual duration of the event's occurrence) is indispensable for understanding many underlying physical, chemical, and biological principles. The success of this research heavily demands that the system's light source has a high power to scrutinize the spatial heterogeneity of dynamic scenes, a tunable wavelength to generate the phenomena under investigation with the highest pumping efficiency, and a proper pulse width to efficiently deliver photons without damaging the sample.******In this regard, we request to purchase a high-power, wavelength-tunable, continuous wave laser through this RTI grant, to develop two ultrafast near-infrared optical imaging systems, namely a compressed optical-sweeping ultrafast microscope and a THz-bandwidth, ultralong-recording-window optical oscilloscope. These systems will enable real-time imaging of non-repeatable transient phenomena at picosecond to microsecond temporal resolutions. These novel experimental platforms will be applied to three applications: (1) label-free imaging of neural activities, (2) accurate spatiotemporal temperature sensing using rare earth-doped nanoparticles in deep biological tissue, and (3) ultrafast detection of optical waveforms from telecommunication channels. The specifications of the requested laser are perfectly suited for these proposed research tasks.******Besides the compelling scientific merits manifested in the three targeted areas, the proposed research program has far-reaching potential applications. With highly complementary technical specifications to existing equipment at the Advanced Laser Light Source (a CFI-funded national infrastructure), these systems will significantly enhance the overall research ability of INRS–ÉMT. Moreover, the proposed research will generate precious strategic advantages over other competing groups worldwide and place Canada in a position of leadership in a highly competitive field. Besides immediate impacts in neuroscience, materials science, and telecommunication, the proposed program holds great promise, in the long term, for future studies of THz imaging, transient absorption spectroscopy, electrochemical reaction of battery interface, and whole-body neural pattern interrogation.******The excellent track records and complementary expertise of the applicants and major collaborators will ensure the fast progress and overall success of the proposed program as well as make the most efficient and diligent use of the requested equipment. Moreover, the proposed program has attracted ten collaborators in diverse fields at national and international premier institutes. Beyond its scientific merits, the proposed research activities will provide the best possible training environment to attract and retain highly qualified personnel for obtaining highly marketable skills for their future careers.