Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

The use of mid infrared lasers or THz sources is increasing markedly across a variety of disciplines, including astronomy, medicine, and sensing and security. However, there are limited sources of mid-infrared lasers available. In order to develop mid infrared laser and THz sources, quantum cascade lasers have been intensively researched for a decade; however, cryogenic operating temperatures are required, which limits their application severely. Alternatively, using non-silica high nonlinear media to generate mid infrared light and supercontinuum has been considered a reliable and feasible technology.Globally, significant progress has been made in developing speciality fibers and waveguides for use in mid infrared laser sources. For example, CorActive and INO in Quebec have developed highly nonlinear chalcogenide fibers for mid infrared applications. In addition to quantum cascade lasers, there are typically two methods for developing mid-infrared lasers. One method is to generate mid infrared narrow band light beam based on cascaded stimulated Raman effect using the specialty fibers and fiber-based mode-locked lasers. The second method to achieve mid infrared lasers is to use supercontinuum generated by using specialty fibers and fiber-based mode locked lasers.In this project, we will investigate generation of mid infrared supercontinuum using specialty fibers and InP quantum dot mode locked lasers. If successful, this project will yield a low-cost and compact mid-infrared laser source. The final outcome of this project is expected to be a supercontinuum spanning from 1600 nm to 4000 nm with high output power.