IR Laser System for generating tuneable wavelength of light between 1.5 – 3.5 µm

Concepts

• teddington
• precision equipment
• ir laser system
• tuneable wavelength
• laser
• a total wavelength range
• system
• light
• tuneable
• wavelengths

Location

Teddington

Description

The DIAL team are looking to procure a new and upgraded IR laser system to replace their aging unit. The pump laser will be a seeded flashlamp pumped laser with pulse duration of 9 ns and line width 0.003 cm-1, it will be capable of simultaneously emit the fundamental and second harmonic at a repetition rate of 20 Hz. The pulse energy in the IR should be around 700 mJ and 400 mJ in the green. The system needs to be capable of outputting a total wavelength range between 1.5 – 3.5 µm. Obtaining the tuneability utilising a dye laser and a two-stage non-linear mixing component. The system should be designed in such a way that the wavelength can be switched between two wavelengths at a frequency of greater than (or equal to) 5 Hz. Any wavelength drift must be minimal and easily corrected by a competent operator. The system should be fully integrated, and installed subject to a site acceptance test at NPL’s facility. NPL expect the system to be maintained by the supplier on an ad hoc basis and serviced by the supplier annually.

Total Quantity or Scope

Requirement is for one unit inclusive of Installation and after sale support.

Award Detail

CPV Codes

• 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

Indicators

Legal Justification

A robust tuneable mid-IR laser for this application (DIAL) are very challenging to produce. The number of non-linear stages result in lots of loss of energy. Starting from 700 mJ of 1064 nm and 400 mJ of 532 nm, resulting in just 14 mJ of useable 3.4 µm energy for measuring methane. Coupled with the requirement of the narrow linewidth and short nanosecond pulse excludes many mid-IR laser sources. The DIAL requires selectivity between two closely separated wavelengths, one which is tuned the target species absorption peak and another which is not absorbed by the species. The DIAL technique requires oscillation between the on and off resonant wavelength and is achieved in the current IR laser system on alternate shots. Furthermore, the DIAL requires the ability to measure multiple hydrocarbon species including CH4, C2H6, CO2, and VOCs, so a platform which allows tuning over a broad wavelength region is required. Both features are achieved using a dye laser for the broad tuneability with a piezo actuator in the resonator for the on and off selectivity. Photonic Solutions are the only supplier for a complete system which meets the specification therefore competition is absent in the market.