Abstract
We present chemical kinetics and environmental monitoring applications in the long-wavelength mid-infrared (LW-MIR) region using a new diagnostic that exploits a widely tunable light source emitting in the LW-MIR. The custom-designed laser source is based on a difference-frequency generation (DFG) process in a nonlinear orientation-patterned GaAs crystal. The pump laser, an external-cavity quantum cascade laser, is tuned in a continuous-wave (cw) mode, while the signal laser, a CO2 gas laser, is operated in a pulsed mode with a kilohertz repetition rate. The idler wavelength can be tuned between 11.58 (863.56 cm−1) and 15.00 µm (666.67 cm−1) in a quasi-cw manner. We discuss the unique prospective applications offered by probing the LW-MIR region for chemical kinetics and environment-monitoring applications. We showcase the potential of the DFG laser source by some representative applications.
Original language | British English |
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Pages (from-to) | A46-A58 |
Journal | Applied Optics |
Volume | 62 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 20 Feb 2023 |