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Completed TRL 2 (started at 2, targeting 3)
Mid-infrared spectrometers have been shown demonstrated to be very useful instruments aboard interplanetary missions to detect molecular species of interest in the field of planetary science. Such spectrometers featuring quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) include the Tunable Laser Spectrometer on the Mars Curiosity Rover and the future Venus Tunable Laser Spectrometer [1]. Through the process of four-wave mixing, a QCLs can behave as frequency combs (FCs), emitting modes which are ideally equidistant infrequency spacing [2]. QCL FCs simultaneously exhibit two desirable qualities for spectroscopic applications: broad spectral emission and narrow linewidths of individual modes. However, dispersion within the laser chip material degrades the performance of such spectrometers. Compensating for this dispersion provides a route to improving spectrometer performance [3], [4]. With this improved spectral performance, QCL FCs can better meet the specifications required of a spectrometer for space-based applications. The work described in this proposal will investigate applying dispersion compensation to a quantum cascade laser (QCL) operating as a frequency comb (FC). Here, dispersion compensation will be implemented by incorporating components such as a coated mirror or reflective grating within an external cavity (EC) [5]–[7]. In addition, the use of adaptive optics such as a MEMS mirror within the EC will be investigated as well [8]. The goal of these designs is to apply the opposite phase change to the radiation field as what is introduced by dispersion on the QCL chip. Deliverables of this work will include a design of the EC which optimizes the QCL FC emission spectra for spectroscopic applications, and the performance of a spectrometer in which this EC QCL FC serves as the laser source.
Deliverables of this work will include a design of the EC which optimizes the QCL FC emission spectra for spectroscopic applications, and the performance of a spectrometer in which this EC QCL FC serves as the laser source.
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