Focus
Mid-infrared photonics
- Focus issue:
- July 2012 Volume 6 No 7 pp407-498
The mid-infrared spectral region of 2-20 μm contains strong characteristic vibrational transitions of many important molecules as well as two atmospheric transmission windows of 3-5 μm and 8-13 μm, which makes it crucial for applications in spectroscopy, materials processing, chemical and biomolecular sensing, security and industry. This Focus Issue covers recent developments in sophisticated laser technologies such as quantum cascade lasers, fibre lasers and frequency combs, and discusses how plasmonics can be exploited in the mid-infrared regime.
Editorial
Extending opportunities - pp407
doi:10.1038/nphoton.2012.164
Innovative mid-infrared laser technologies are anticipated to broaden the applications of existing mid-infrared laser sources and bring unexpected scientific discoveries.
Full text - Plasmonics in the mid-infrared | PDF (883 KB) - Plasmonics in the mid-infrared
Commentary
Plasmonics in the mid-infrared - pp409 - 411
Ross Stanley
doi:10.1038/nphoton.2012.161
Plasmonics can be used to enhance mid-infrared sources, sensors and detectors for applications such as chemical sensing, thermal imaging and heat scavenging. The challenge now is to integrate these technologies in cost-effective, compact and reliable platforms.
Full text - Plasmonics in the mid-infrared | PDF (883 KB) - Plasmonics in the mid-infrared
Reviews
Towards high-power mid-infrared emission from a fibre laser - pp423 - 431
Stuart D. Jackson
doi:10.1038/nphoton.2012.149
Fibre lasers in the mid-infrared regime are useful for a diverse range of fields, including chemical and biomedical sensing, military applications and materials processing. This Review summarizes the different rare-earth cations and host materials used in mid-infrared fibre laser technology, and discusses the future applications and challenges for the field.
Abstract - Towards high-power mid-infrared emission from a fibre laser | Full text - Towards high-power mid-infrared emission from a fibre laser | PDF (1,426 KB) - Towards high-power mid-infrared emission from a fibre laser
Mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers - pp432 - 439
Yu Yao, Anthony J. Hoffman & Claire F. Gmachl
doi:10.1038/nphoton.2012.143
The design flexibility of quantum cascade lasers has enabled their expansion into mid-infrared wavelengths of 3-25 μm. This Review focuses on the two major areas of recent improvement: power and power efficiency, and spectral performance.
Abstract - Mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers | Full text - Mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers | PDF (2,535 KB) - Mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers
Mid-infrared frequency combs - pp440 - 449
Albert Schliesser, Nathalie Picqué & Theodor W. Hänsch
doi:10.1038/nphoton.2012.142
This Review discusses the emerging field of mid-infrared frequency comb generation, including technologies based on novel laser gain media, nonlinear frequency conversion and microresonators, as well as the applications of these combs in precision spectroscopy and direct frequency comb spectroscopy.
Abstract - Mid-infrared frequency combs | Full text - Mid-infrared frequency combs | PDF (2,535 KB) - Mid-infrared frequency combs
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