3e Swept External Cavity Quantum Cascade Lasers for Remote Detection

Rapid and sensitive remote detection of chemicals remains a challenging and currently unmet need for a wide range of monitoring and sensing applications. Remote detection is needed when it is not possible or practical to obtain samples for analysis of chemicals in a laboratory, and thus measurements must be performed without physical access to the source release point. In particular, quantitative remote measurement of gas-phase chemical mixtures and molecular isotope ratios can provide valuable information about the source releasing the chemicals. We propose development of the next-generation of high-performance remote detection technologies using sensors based on swept-wavelength external cavity quantum cascade lasers (swept-ECQCLs). The swept-ECQCL technology enables rapid broadband infrared spectroscopy for detection of multiple chemicals and isotope ratios in molecules. The swept-ECQCL is combined with an optical system for remote detection of gas-phase chemical plumes. The overall goal of the proposed effort is development of a manufacturable and commercial-ready remote detection system based on the swept-ECQCL sensing technology. The main technical objective for Phase I of the proposed project is to construct and test a prototype remote detection system for gas plume characterization.