Mid-infrared Wave Research Articles

On-chip mid-infrared dispersive wave generation at targeted molecular absorption wavelengths

On-chip mid-infrared dispersive wave generation at targeted molecular absorption wavelengths

Ultra-broadband and ultra-high conversion efficiency difference frequency generation in a dual-layer thin-film LiNbO3 waveguide with reversed ferroelectric domain orientations

Although there is a great breakthrough in second harmonic generation based on the birefringence and quasi phase matching (QPM) concepts, the development of an efficient difference frequency generation (DFG) based on modal phase matching (MPM) is still in its infancy at present. In this paper, we propose an ultra-broadband and ultra-high conversion efficiency mid-infrared DFG on the basis of MPM in a dual-layer waveguide consisting of two reversed poled LiNbO3 thin-films on sapphire. The ultra-high conversion efficiency is ascribed to significantly enhanced nonlinear interaction realized by making use of spatial profile of optical nonlinearity of LN crystal produced by two reversed ferroelectric domain orientations in the dual-layer waveguide. The proposed DFG device has been modeled on the basis of a 0.98 μm pump wave and a 1.34–1.44 μm signal wave, the frequency difference of which generates a mid-infrared idler wave centered at 3.32 μm wavelength. The results show that the device exhibits excellent DFG performance, including an ultra-high nonlinear conversion efficiency 434.6 % W−1 cm−2 and an ultra-broad tuning band 340 nm meanwhile, which far exceed the performance of conventional MPM devices, even the QPM ones.

Non-destructive and in-situ detection of shrimp freshness using mid-infrared fiber-optic evanescent wave spectroscopy.

There is strong interest in non-destructive and rapid determination of food freshness in food research. In this study, mid-infrared (MIR) fiber-optic evanescent wave (FOEW) spectroscopy was applied to monitor shrimp freshness through the evaluation of protein, chitin, and calcite contents in conjunction with a Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) model. Shrimp shells were wiped with a micro fiber-optic probe to obtain a FOEW spectrum which quickly and nondestructively allowed evaluation of the shrimp freshness. Peaks for proteins, chitin, and calcite, which are closely related to shrimp freshness, were detected and quantified. Compared with the standard indicator for evaluating shrimp freshness (total volatile basic nitrogen), the PLS-DA model gave recognition rates for shrimp freshness using calibration and validation sets of the FOEW data of 87.27%, 90.28%, respectively. Our results show that FOEW spectroscopy is a feasible method for non-destructive and in-site detection of shrimp freshness.

Efficient mid-infrared dispersive wave generation through soliton breakup and cascaded Raman amplification in an axially varying fluorotellurite fiber

In this paper, we demonstrate efficient mid-infrared dispersive wave (DW) generation through soliton breakup and cascaded Raman amplification in an axially varying fluorotellurite fiber. The input part of the fluorotellurite fiber has two zero-dispersion wavelengths and the remaining part has an all normal dispersion profile. The pump source is a femtosecond fiber laser with an operational wavelength of 1980nm, which is located at the anomalous dispersion region between two zero-dispersion wavelengths and close to the second zero-dispersion wavelength of the fluorotellurite fiber. As the pump light is launched into the fluorotellurite fiber, the pump light (or a higher-order soliton) experiences a temporal breakup and large pulse broadening, which enables nearly complete conversion of input solitonic radiation into resonant nonsolitonic radiation in the DW regime. Meanwhile, the generated DWs are improved by more than two orders of magnitude via cascaded Raman amplification in the fluorotellurite fiber, resulting in the generation of efficient mid-infrared DWs peaked at 2700 nm with an ultrahigh power division ratio of ∼ 85% and a compressible pulse width of ∼ 61 fs. Our work presents a way to realize ultrahigh-efficiency mid-infrared coherent light generation.

A thermocouple based on wideband hybrid metamaterial absorber for mid-infrared photo-thermoelectric detector

A mid-infrared (MIR) photo-thermoelectric (PTE) detector is proposed based on a hybrid thermocouple consisting of a wideband metamaterial absorber and Seebeck material. When a mid-infrared wave illuminates the detector, the incident energy of the MIR beam is efficiently detected in this process of converting the energy of the light wave into the absorbed heat firstly by the wideband metamaterial absorber, and then outputting a voltage change according to the variation in temperature by a semiconductor material with a high Seebeck coefficient. Because of the existence of the metamaterial absorber, the high absorptions are almost achieved at a wide wavelength range from 3.4μm to 4.8μm with the absorptivity over 80%, and the average absorptivity is 93.6%. Meanwhile, the perfect absorptions appear at the wavelengths of 3.6μm, 4μm and 4.4μm. Comparing with the other reported detectors based on black materials and multilayer resonant cavities, this metamaterial absorber has a high absorptivity as well as a wide bandwidth, facilitating the maximum responsivity of single thermocouple as high as 0.89V/W. This hybrid thermocouple is able to operate at room temperature and has the advantages of angle insensitivity, simple in structure and easy integration, which has good potential applications in mid-infrared detection, sensing and imaging.

Ge3Sb2Te6-based mid-infrared metasurfaces for polarization control and wavefront steering

Benefiting from excellent properties in wavefront control, germanium antimony telluride (GeSbTe)-based photonic devices provide new opportunities for manipulating electromagnetic wave. In this paper, Ge3Sb2Te6 meta-atoms are presented to realize polarization switching for mid-infrared wave through the state transition from the crystalline Ge3Sb2Te6 to the amorphous Ge3Sb2Te6. When the crystalline Ge3Sb2Te6 is involved, the proposed meta-atoms with 90° phase shift achieve high-efficiency polarization conversion and 360° phase coverage. As Ge3Sb2Te6 is changed to the amorphous state, phase coverage drops to only 36°, and most of the cross-polarized wave vanishes. Using these designed meta-atoms, three metasurfaces are implemented at 76.5 THz. Firstly, a gradient metasurface is constructed, and it dynamically switches between specular reflection and anomalous reflection. Next, a reflective metalens is proposed to realize switching between focusing and defocusing under different states of Ge3Sb2Te6. Lastly, a focused vortex beam is presented to reconstruct the mode of orbital angular momentum (OAM). All designs realize the switching between cross-polarization and co-polarization. Our work could have possible applications in fields such as mid-infrared switching, focusing, and wireless communication.

Optimization of mid-infrared dispersive wave generation at 3 µm in LiNbO3 waveguides

We propose an effective scheme to enhance mid-infrared dispersive wave (DW) emission, which includes dispersion engineering of the waveguide and the assistance of a CW trigger. Our suggested approach can help achieve better coherence and higher signal-to-noise ratio by adding a weak CW trigger with the femtosecond pulse pump in dispersion engineered lithium niobate (LiNbO3) waveguides. First, the integrated dispersion profile of LiNbO3 waveguides is designed based on dispersion engineering regarding the sidewall angle and slab thickness. Second, with the assistance of a weak CW trigger, the mid-infrared DW is enabled or further enhanced. The optimal CW-triggered wavelength and operating conditions are ascertained. Mid-infrared emission at around 3 µm with a sufficient power level is accessible after optimization, which is feasible for multi-species greenhouse gas detection through gas absorption spectroscopy.

Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy as a New Tool for Ruling Out Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

A highly sensitive and specific point-of-care method for diagnosing spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is currently lacking. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the diagnostic value of a rapid, easy-to-use, mid-infrared fiber evanescent wave spectroscopy (MIR-FEWS) method for ruling out SBP. Cirrhotic patients (n = 256) at five centers in France were included for suspected SBP or for the scheduled evacuation of ascites fluid. The mid-infrared spectrum of 7 µL of an ascites fluid sample was recorded using a MIR-FEWS system. To define a model for the diagnosis of SBP, the patients were divided into a calibration group (n = 170) and a validation group (n = 86). Most of the patients were male (71%). The mean age was 60.25 years. Alcohol-related liver disease was the most common cause of cirrhosis. SBP was observed in 18% of the patients. For the diagnosis of SBP in the calibration and validation groups, respectively, the model gave areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of 0.87 and 0.89, sensitivities of 90% and 87%, specificities of 78% and 80%, positive predictive values of 48% and 50%, negative predictive values of 97% and 96%, positive likelihood ratio of 4.09 and 4.35, negative likelihood ratio of 0.13 and 0.16, Youden index of 0.68 and 0.67, and correct classification rates of 80% and 81%. The results of this proof-of-concept study show that MIR-FEWS is a highly sensitive diagnostic method for ruling out SBP. The method warrants further investigation.

Realization of the nonreciprocal thermal radiation by the front and back sides of the Weyl semimetal-dielectric multilayer structures

This work proposes the Weyl semimetal-dielectric multilayer structures (WDMSes), both sides of which can realize nonreciprocal thermal radiation. Utilizing the transfer matrix method, the absorptivity αq and emissivity eq are calculated in the mid-infrared wave range. The absorption can be attributed to the defect modes. For both sides of the WDMSes, it is found the nonreciprocity originates as the incident angle is around 15° and a wider incident angle tends to enhance it. By increasing the angle to 45°, the stronger nonreciprocal thermal radiation for the front side is revealed at the wavelength of 4.692 µm and 3.890 µm. In the same way, for the back side, it is displayed at the wavelength of 4.692 µm and 3.896 µm. The relevant factors including the temperature of the Weyl semimetal, the thickness of the dielectric layer unit, the thickness of the defect layer, and the period of the structure are discussed. They can affect the nonreciprocity, as well as shift the absorption and emission bands in the wave and angular range. This work can be applied to heat radiation transfer media, energy conversion devices, thermal storage and emitter, and so on.

Mid-IR Observations of IRAS, AKARI, WISE/NEOWISE, and Subaru for Large Icy Asteroid (704) Interamnia: A New Perspective of Regolith Properties and Water Ice Fraction

(704) Interamnia is one of the largest asteroids located in the outer main-belt region, which may contain a large amount of water ice underneath its surface. We observe this asteroid using 8.2 m Subaru telescope at mid-infrared wave bands and utilize a thermophysical model for realistic surface layers to analyze mid-infrared data from Subaru along with those of IRAS, AKARI, and Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE)/NEOWISE. We optimize the method to convert the WISE magnitude to thermal infrared flux with temperature-dependent color corrections, which can provide significant references for main-belt asteroids at a large heliocentric distance with low surface temperature. We derive best-fitting thermal parameters of Interamnia—a mean regolith grain size of μm, with a roughness of and rms slope of deg, thereby producing thermal inertia ranging from 9 to 92 Jm−2 s−1/2 K−1 due to seasonal temperature variation. The geometric albedo and effective diameter are evaluated to be and , respectively, being indicative of a bulk density of 1.86 ± 0.63 g cm−3. The low thermal inertia is consistent with typical B/C-type asteroids with D ≥ 100 km. The tiny regolith grain size suggests the presence of a fine regolith on the surface of Interamnia. Moreover, the seasonal and diurnal temperature distribution indicates that thermal features between the southern and northern hemispheres appear to be very different. Finally, we present an estimation of volume fraction of water ice of 9%–66% from the published grain density and porosity of carbonaceous chondrites.

Mid-infrared evanescent wave sensor based on side-polished chalcogenide fiber

A highly sensitive mid-infrared evanescent wave sensor based on side-polished (SPF) chalcogenide fiber (ChG) was proposed in this work. The optimum optical fiber parameters were determined via numerical simulation by detecting the leakage intensity of evanescent waves from the optical fiber of different polish depths. The SPF remarkably enhanced the evanescent wave sensing while maintaining fiber loss and strength. Graphene oxide (GO) was coated on the fiber to enhance the sensitivity of SPF sensor for butane (C 4 H 10 ). GO has a great specific surface area and abundant oxygen-containing functional groups, which enlarges the contact area of GO with gas molecules and enables to adsorb gas. Results show that the GO-SPF sensor can be three and five times more sensitive than the original fiber optic sensor and SPF sensor for butane gas detection, and has a fast response time and good repeatability.

Mid-infrared light-induced photoacoustic wave in water and its application

We demonstrate photoacoustic (PA) wave generation at an air–water interface using a mid-infrared (MIR) laser pulse and observe its propagation in liquid water by shadowgraph imaging. The PA wave reaches a depth of more than 4 mm, which is over 100 times deeper than the penetration depth of MIR light in water. As one of the applications of the PA wave, we quantitatively analyze the ethanol mole fraction in a water–ethanol mixed solution. We achieve the generation of PA waves induced by a compact MIR laser system, which provides a new tool for imaging and inspecting the object in water.

The JCMT SCUBA-2 Survey of the James Webb Space Telescope North Ecliptic Pole Time-Domain Field

The James Webb Space Telescope Time-Domain Field (JWST-TDF) is an ∼14′ diameter field near the North Ecliptic Pole that will be targeted by one of the JWST Guaranteed Time Observations programs. Here, we describe our James Clerk Maxwell Telescope SCUBA-2 850 μm imaging of the JWST-TDF and present the submillimeter source catalog and properties. We also present a catalog of radio sources from Karl J. Jansky Very Large Array 3 GHz observations of the field. These observations were obtained to aid JWST's study of dust-obscured galaxies that contribute significantly to cosmic star formation at high redshifts. Our deep 850 μm map covers the JWST-TDF at a noise level of σ 850µm = 1.0 mJy beam−1, detecting 83/31 sources in the main/supplementary signal-to-noise ratio (S/N > 4 / S/N = 3.5–4) sample, respectively. The 3 GHz observations cover a 24′ diameter field with a 1σ noise of 1 μJy beam−1 at a 0.″7 FWHM. We identified eighty-five 3 GHz counterparts to sixty-six 850 μm sources and then matched these with multiwavelength data from the optical to the mid-infrared wave bands. We performed spectral energy distribution fitting for 61 submillimeter galaxies (SMGs) matched with optical/near-infrared data, and found that SMGs at S/N > 4 have a median value of z phot = 2.22 ± 0.12, star formation rates of 300 ± 40 M ⊙ yr−1 (Chabrier initial mass function), and typical cold dust masses of 5.9 ± 0.7 × 108 M ⊙, in line with bright SMGs from other surveys. The large cold dust masses indicate correspondingly large cool gas masses, which we suggest are a key factor necessary to drive the high star formation rates seen in this population.

In situ detection of fruit spoilage based on volatile compounds using the mid-infrared fiber-optic evanescent wave spectroscopy.

Volatile compounds such as ethanol released from fruit can be rapidly detected using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy based on a long-path gas cell. However, this method relies on a long optical path length and requires pumping fruit volatiles into the gas cell. This can lead to the volatile compounds being contaminated and not detectable in situ. Fiber optic evanescent wave spectroscopy (FOEW) is not influenced by the path length so can detect materials (solid, liquid and gas phase) rapidly in situ, using only a few millimeters of optical fiber. In the present study, a spiral silver halide FOEW sensor with a length of approximately 21 mm was used to replace a long-path gas cell to explore the feasibility of identifying volatile compounds released from grapes in situ. The absorption peaks of ethanol in the volatile compounds were clearly found in the FOEW spectra and their intensity gradually increased as the storage time of the grapes increased. PCA analysis of these spectra showed clear clustering at different storage times (1-3, 4-5 and 6-7 d), revealing that the concentration of the ethanol released from the grapes changed significantly with time. The qualitative model established by PLS-DA algorithm could accurately classify grape samples as “Fresh,” “Slight spoilage,” or “Severe spoilage”. The accuracy of the calibration and validation sets both were 100.00%. These changes can therefore be used for rapidly identifying fruit deterioration. Compared with the method used in a previous study by the authors, this method avoids using a pumping process and can thus identify volatile compounds and hence monitor deterioration in situ and on-line by placing a very short optical fiber near the fruit.

Graphene-coated pearl-chain-shaped SiC nanowires

In this work, graphene-coated SiC nanowires (SiCnw) were fabricated by SiC epitaxial growth method. Firstly, the centimeter-scale single crystal SiC nanowires were synthesized through carbothermal reduction without any catalysts. Secondly, the epitaxial graphene grows on the surface of the SiCnw in a high vacuum and high-temperature environment to obtain graphene-coated pearl-chain-shaped SiCnw. In addition to the observed graphene layer coated on the surfaces of SiCnw, the formed β-SiC particles are densely and orderly arranged along the SiCnw. The growth of graphene layer coated on the surfaces of SiCnw can be ascribed to the thermal evaporation of Si or SiO2 on the surfaces of SiCnw. The formation mechanism of SiC particles is speculated to be the carbothermic reduction between the SiO and the CO or residual carbon generated by decomposition of SiC nanowires. The graphene-coated pearl-chain-shaped SiCnw have many potential applications in ceramic reinforcement, optoelectronics, mid-infrared and EM wave absorption devices.

Interaction between the mid-infrared continuous wave laser with a center wavelength of 3.8 µm and fused silica.

The absorption coefficient of fused silica for a mid-infrared (IR) laser is higher than that for a near-IR laser, but smaller than that for a far-IR laser. Therefore, the energy coupling efficiency of the mid-IR laser is higher than that for the near-IR laser, while the penetration depth is higher than that for the far-IR laser. Thus, the mid-IR laser is highly efficient in mitigating damage growth. In this study, a deuterium fluoride (DF) laser with a center wavelength of 3.8 µm was used to interact with fused silica. The temperature variation, changes in the reflected and transmitted intensities of the probe light incident on the laser irradiation area, and the vaporization and melting sputtering process were analyzed. The results demonstrate that when the laser intensity was low (<1.2 kW/cm2), no significant melting was observed, and the reflection and transmission properties gradually recovered after the end of the laser irradiation process. With a further increase in the laser intensity, the sample gradually melted and vaporized. At a laser intensity above 5.1 kW/cm2, the temperature of the sample increased rapidly and vapors in huge quantity evaporated from the surface of the sample. Moreover, when the laser intensity was increased to 9.5 kW/cm2, the sample melted and an intense melting sputtering process was observed, and the sample was melted through.

Synthesis of MgO Coating Gd2O3 Nanopowders for Consolidating Gd2O3-MgO Nanocomposite with Homogenous Phase Domain Distribution and High Mid-Infrared Transparency

Improved optical and mechanical properties are required for future infrared windows working in harsher mechanical and thermal environments than today. Ameliorating the homogeneity of the phase domain and reducing the size of the phase domain are effective approaches for enhancing the optical transmittance and mechanical hardness of a nanocomposite. In this work, we reported that the Gd2O3-MgO nanopowders were prepared by two different processes. The core–shell nanopowders synthesized by urea precipitation have a much lower agglomeration than the nanopowders prepared by sol–gel. Excellent transmittance (70.0%–84.1%) at 3–6 μm mid-infrared wave range and a high Vickers hardness value (10.3 ± 0.6 GPa) were maintained using the nanopowders synthesized by urea precipitation mainly due to its homogenous phase domain distribution.

Coupled surface plasmon–phonon polariton nanocavity arrays for enhanced mid-infrared absorption

Abstract Resonant optical cavities are essential components in mid-infrared applications. However, typical film-type cavities require multilayer stacks with a micron-thick spacer due to mid-infrared wavelengths, and their performance is limited by narrow frequency tunability and angular sensitivity. We propose and experimentally demonstrate the subwavelength-scale (≈λ 0/150) resonant nanocavity arrays that enhance the absorption spectrum of the device in the mid-infrared (10–12 microns) via excitation of coupled surface plasmon–phonon polaritons. The proposed metal–insulator–polar dielectric (gold–silicon–silicon carbide) structure supports a guided mode of the coupled surface polaritons in the lateral direction while vertically confining the mid-infrared wave within the 80 nm thick dielectric spacer. In particular, the subwavelength-scale (≈λ 0/10) gratings are imposed to form Fabry–Pérot cavity arrays displaying angle-insensitive and frequency-tunable absorption of up to 80% of the optical power in the mid-infrared. Our work should benefit diverse mid-infrared applications and novel designs of polariton-based photonic devices.

Mid-Infrared Highly Efficient, Broadband, and Flattened Dispersive Wave Generation via Dual-Coupled Thin-Film Lithium-Niobate-on-Insulator Waveguide

We designed a structure of dual-coupled ridge waveguide in thin-film lithium-niobate-on-insulator (LNOI) and numerically studied the highly efficient, broadband, and flattened dispersive wave-enhanced supercontinuum generation in the mid-infrared region. By leveraging the mode coupling of the proposed dual-coupled waveguide structure, one of the supermodes, namely the anti-symmetric mode, can produce additional zero-dispersion wavelengths in the mid-infrared region, and consequently multiple normal dispersion regions for dispersive wave emission. Given the rich geometrical degrees of freedom powered by this dual-coupled LNOI waveguide structure, we can tailor the dispersion profile so that a well-established mode-locked fiber laser in the telecommunication band can serve as the pump. Thus, the whole system can potentially be fiber-to-chip integrated and packaged, enabling a compact, cost-effective, and low system-complexity platform. We numerically show that the broadband dispersive wave covering the wavelength range of 1.92~3.55 μm (−20 dB level, near octave-spanning) with spectral flatness of 6.31 dB can be achieved using a 1550 nm, 190 pJ femtosecond pump seed. When the dual hump-shaped spectrum is obtained, the conversion efficiency of the mid-infrared dispersive wave can be up to 19.31%. The influence of the pumping conditions on the performance of mid-infrared dispersive wave generation was also studied. This work provides a competitive candidate for efficient, broadband, and flattened mid-infrared spectrum generation, which can find important applications in spectroscopy, metrology, and communication.

Simulations of the spectral resolving power of a compact space-borne immersion-echelle spectrometer using mid-infrared wave tracing

We performed wave-optics-based numerical simulations at mid-infrared wavelengths to investigate how the presence or absence of entrance slits and optical aberrations affect the spectral resolving power $R$ of a compact, high-spectral-resolving-power spectrometer containing an immersion-echelle grating. We tested three cases of telescope aberration (aberration-free, astigmatism and spherical aberration), assuming the aberration budget of the Space Infrared Telescope for Cosmology and Astrophysics (SPICA), which has a 20-$\mathrm{\mu m}$-wavelength diffraction limit. In cases with a slit, we found that the value of $R$ at around 10--20 $\mathrm{\mu m}$ is approximately independent of the assumed aberrations, which is significantly different from the prediction of geometrical optics. Our results also indicate that diffraction from the slit improves $R$ by enlarging the effective illuminated area on the grating window and that this improvement decreases at short wavelengths. For the slit-less cases, we found that the impact of aberrations on $R$ can be roughly estimated using the Strehl ratio.