Abstract:
A Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer for operation in the mid- and long-wave infrared region (about 2-15 micron wavelengths) is disclosed. The FTIR spectrometer is composed of IR-transmitting fiber and uses a broadband IR source. A fiber stretcher is provided to provide a path difference between a first path and a second path having a sample associated therewith. Stretching of the fiber provides a path difference sufficient to generate an interferogram that can subsequently be analyzed to obtain information about a sample. A method for use of the apparatus of the invention is also disclosed. The method involves stretching of an IR-transmitting fiber to create a path difference sufficient to generate an interferogram. Various aspects of these features enable the construction of compact, portable spectrometers.
Abstract:
A broadband light source includes one or more laser diodes that are capable of generating a pump signal having a wavelength shorter than 2.5 microns, a pulse width of at least 100 picoseconds and a pump optical spectral width. The light source also includes one or more optical amplifiers that are coupled to the pump signal and are capable of amplifying the pump signal to a peak power of at least 500 W. The light source further includes a first fiber that is coupled to the one or more optical amplifiers. The first fiber including an anomalous group-velocity dispersion regime and a modulational instability mechanism that operates to modulate the pump signal. In one particular embodiment, the pump signal wavelength resides in the anomalous group-velocity dispersion regime of the first fiber and where different intensities in the pump signal can cause relative motion between different parts of the modulated pump signal produced through modulational instability in the first fiber. The light source also including a nonlinear element that is coupled to the first fiber that is capable of broadening the pump optical spectral width to at least 100 nm through a nonlinear effect in the nonlinear element.
Abstract:
A sensor device that uses a number of bragg grating (FBG) sensors and novel interrogation system with a ring cavity configuration for simultaneous time-division-multiplexex (TDM) and wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) interrogation of FBG sensors. The ring cavity includes an amplifier, and output coupler and an optical circulator. The coupler is connected to a wavelength measuring system and the optical circulator is connected to the FBG sensors. The FBG sensors can be in a number of groups. TDM interrogation is applied to each group of FBG sensors while WDM interrogation is applied to each FBG sensors within each group.
Abstract:
A spectroscopy system includes a light source having an input light source, including semiconductor diodes generating an input beam with a wavelength shorter than 2.5 microns. Cladding-pumped fiber amplifiers receive the input beam and form an amplified optical beam having a spectral width. A nonlinear element broadens the spectral width of the amplified optical beam to 100 nm or more through a nonlinear effect forming an output beam that is pulsed. A filter is coupled to at least one of a lens and a mirror that receives the output beam and delivers the filtered output beam to a sample. A detection system includes detectors configured to receive the output beam reflected or transmitted from the sample. The detection system is configured to use a lock-in technique with the pulsed output beam and the spectroscopy system is adapted to detect chemicals in the sample.
Abstract:
A super continuum light source includes an input light source having semiconductor diodes generating an input beam having a wavelength shorter than 2.5 microns. Optical amplifiers receive the input beam and form an amplified optical beam having a spectral width. The optical amplifiers may include a cladding-pumped fiber amplifier doped with rare-earth materials. A nonlinear element may include mid-infrared fibers to receive the amplified optical beam and to broaden the spectral width of the received amplified optical beam to 100 nm or more through a nonlinear effect forming an output beam, wherein the output beam is pulsed. At least a portion of the output beam is in a mid-infrared wavelength range between 2 microns and 5 microns and at least a portion of the one or more mid-infrared fibers comprises a ZBLAN fluoride fiber coupled to a chalcogenide fiber.
Abstract:
A white light spectroscopy system includes a super continuum light source having an input light source including semiconductor diodes to generate an input beam having a wavelength shorter than 2.5 microns. The light source includes a cladding-pumped fiber optical amplifier to receive the input beam, and a photonic crystal fiber to receive the amplified optical beam to broaden the spectral width to 100 nm or more forming an output beam in the visible wavelength range. The output beam is pulsed with a repetition rate of 1 Megahertz or higher. The system also includes a lens and/or mirror to receive the output beam, to send the output beam to a scanning stage, and to deliver the received output beam to a sample. A detection system includes dispersive optics and narrow band filters followed by one or more detectors to permit approximately simultaneous measurement of at least two wavelengths from the sample.
Abstract:
A diagnostic system includes a semiconductor light emitter(s) configured to generate an input beam having a wavelength shorter than about 2.5 microns. An optical amplifier(s) configured to receive a portion of the input beam communicates an intermediate beam to an output end of the optical amplifier. An optical fiber(s) configured to receive a portion of the intermediate beam forms an output beam with an associated wavelength. A subsystem having lenses or mirrors receives a received portion of the output beam and delivers a delivered portion of the output beam to a sample. The delivered portion has a temporal duration greater than approximately 30 picoseconds and a repetition rate between continuous wave and Megahertz or higher. A time averaged intensity of the delivered portion is less than approximately 50 MW/cm2. A light detection system collects and analyzes a fraction of the delivered portion that reflects or transmits from the sample.
Abstract:
A diagnostic system includes a semiconductor light emitter(s) configured to generate an input beam having a wavelength shorter than about 2.5 microns. An optical amplifier(s) configured to receive a portion of the input beam communicates an intermediate beam to an output end of the optical amplifier. An optical fiber(s) configured to receive a portion of the intermediate beam forms an output beam with an associated wavelength. A subsystem having lenses or mirrors receives a received portion of the output beam and delivers a delivered portion of the output beam to a sample. The delivered portion has a temporal duration greater than approximately 30 picoseconds and a repetition rate between continuous wave and Megahertz or higher. A time averaged intensity of the delivered portion is less than approximately 50 MW/cm2. A light detection system collects and analyzes a fraction of the delivered portion that reflects or transmits from the sample.
Abstract:
An intracavity laser absorption infrared spectroscopy system for detecting trace analytes in vapor samples. The system uses a spectrometer in communications with control electronics, wherein the control electronics contain an analyte database that contains absorption profiles for each analyte the system is used to detect. The system can not only detect the presence of specific analytes, but identify them as well. The spectrometer uses a hollow cavity waveguide that creates a continuous loop inside of the device, thus creating a large path length and eliminating the need to mechanically adjust the path length to achieve a high Q-factor. In a preferred embodiment, the laser source may serve as the detector, thus eliminating the need for a separate detector.
Abstract:
An intracavity laser absorption infrared spectroscopy system for detecting trace analytes in vapor samples. The system uses a spectrometer in communications with control electronics, wherein the control electronics contain an analyte database that contains absorption profiles for each analyte the system is used to detect. The system can not only detect the presence of specific analytes, but identify them as well. The spectrometer uses a hollow cavity waveguide that creates a continuous loop inside of the device, thus creating a large path length and eliminating the need to mechanically adjust the path length to achieve a high Q-factor. In a preferred embodiment, the laser source may serve as the detector, thus eliminating the need for a separate detector.