EPSRC - High Power Fiber Based Mid-IR Supercontinuum Sources

Lasers have the unique capability to deliver highly collimated light across a wide range of wavelengths (colours). Laser imaging does not currently extend to the mid-infra red region, which although beyond the detection range of the eye can be useful in a similar way that night-vision is of practical assistance today. Furthermore, when the light from an object is analysed, the specific colours enable identification of different molecules by their absorption signatures . Conventional glass fibers are opaque at these wavelengths, but new glasses and fiber designs have recently become available with improved infra-red transmission properties. The proposed research will use this technology to create wavelength tunable laser sources. As the complexity and cost of current lasers severely restricts the number of users the proposed research will use glass fibers to develop more practical laser sources for the future. Glass is a good laser material since it is an inexpensive solid, and by using a fiber light-pipe geometry to maintain alignment complex mirror arrangements can be avoided. To create such sources research is needed in a study of the characteristics of both the lasers and the fiber geometries to obtain an optimum combination. Laser development requires new materials, theoretical modelling, and experimental work. The novel materials currently emerging from the host University's laboratories would be used to develop fiber laser sources that may become the preferred choice for future scientific and industrial laser users.