Nicolas Ho

Single-mode low-loss chalcogenide glass waveguides for the mid-infrared

We demonstrate the design, fabrication, and characterization of single-mode low-loss waveguides for mid-infrared (MIR) wavelengths. Planar waveguide structures were fabricated from multilayer thin films of arsenic-based chalcogenide glasses followed by the creation of channel waveguides by using the photodarkening effect. Propagation losses as low as 0.5 dB/cm were measured for a quantum cascade laser end-fire coupled into the waveguides. This is a first step toward the design and fabrication of integrated optical components for MIR applications.

Infrared hyperspectral imaging using a broadly tunable external cavity quantum cascade laser and microbolometer focal plane array

A versatile mid-infrared hyperspectral imaging system is demonstrated by combining a broadly tunable external cavity quantum cascade laser and a microbolometer focal plane array. The tunable midinfrared laser provided high brightness illumination over a tuning range from 985 cm(-1) to 1075 cm(-1) (9.30-10.15 mum). Hypercubes containing images at 300 wavelengths separated by 0.3 cm(-1) were obtained in 12 s. High spectral resolution chemical imaging of methanol vapor was demonstrated for both static and dynamic systems. The system was also used to image and characterize multiple component liquid and solid samples.

Emission and Propagation Properties of Midinfrared Quantum Cascade Lasers

We report divergence, astigmatism, and beam propagation factor (M2) measurements of quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) with emission wavelengths of 8.77 mum. Emission profiles from the facet showed full-width at half-maximum divergence angles of 62deg and 32degplusmn2deg for the fast and slow axes, respectively. Diffraction-limited Ge aspheric microlenses were designed and fabricated to efficiently collect, collimate, and focus QCL emission. A confocal system comprised of these lenses was used to measure M2 yielding 1.8 and 1.2 for the fast and slow axes, respectively. Astigmatism at the exit facet was calculated to be about 3.4 mum, or less than half a wave. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first experimental measurement of astigmatism and M2 reported for midinfrared QCLs.

Lateral Shearing Interferometer for Measuring Photoinduced Refractive Index Change in As2S3

We have built and demonstrated a lateral shearing interferometer as a process engineering and control tool for the fabrication and characterization of direct-laser-written waveguide structures in chalcogenide glasses. Photoinduced change in refractive index of 0.154+/-0.002 was measured for as-deposited amorphous As(2)S(3) thin films at 633 nm with an estimated measurement uncertainty of 1.3% for this air-gap interferometer configuration. The simple design of this interferometer can easily be adapted to other wavelengths including mid- and long-wave infrared regions to measure changes in refractive index or material inhomogeneities in transmissive materials.

Differential Spectroscopic Imaging of Particulate Explosives Residue

We present experimental results showing transmission and reflection imaging of approximately 100 μg quantities of particulate explosives residue using a commercial uncooled microbolometer infrared camera and CO2 laser differential wavelength illumination. Fine particulates may be generated during bomb-making activities and these particulates can tenaciously adhere to packing material, as well as to the clothing or skin of the bomb maker and could be detectable during transportation. A rapid screening method that detects this residue can serve as a first-line screening method in conjunction with more sensitive, but invasive, approaches. Explosives exhibit absorption features in the mid-infrared molecular fingerprint region that spans 3 to 15 μm, which can be probed with many high-brightness sources such as fixed wavelength and tunable quantum cascade lasers, CO2, CO, and OPO lasers. Commercial uncooled microbolometer cameras typically have detection sensitivity from 7.5 to 13 μm, spanning an absorption region for explosives detection with adequate signal-to-noise ratio. By illuminating a target on and off its absorption wavelengths, ratio images of suspected residue can be obtained without any sample preparation or cooperation and contact with the target. Our proof-of-principle experiment employed tunable CO2 lasers, with a tuning range from 9.2 to 10.6 μm, overlapping minor absorption features of RDX and Tetryl.

Single-Mode Low-Loss Chalcogenide Glass Photonic Components for Mid-Infrared Operations

We report the fabrication of photonics components designed for mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers based on photodarkening of thin-film chalcogenide glasses. We measure propagation losses of 0.5 dB/cm for single-mode waveguides and demonstrate evanescent wave couplers.

Fast hyperspectral imaging using a mid-infrared tunable external cavity quantum cascade laser

A hyperspectral imaging system using an external cavity quantum cascade laser and a focal plane array acquiring images at 25 Hz from 985 cm^-1 to 1075 cm^-1 with a resolution of 0.3 cm^-1 is demonstrated.

Beam characteristics of mid-IR quantum cascade lasers

We report divergence, astigmatism and M2 measurements for 8.77gm quantum cascade lasers. Measurements showed divergence of 62° by 32° FWHM f 2° and M2 values of 1.81 and 1.22 for the fast and slow axes respectively. Astigmatism at source was ~4gm, less than half a wave.

FY 2005 Infrared Photonics Final Report

Research done by the Infrared Photonics team at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is focused on developing miniaturized integrated optics for mid-wave infrared (MWIR) and long-wave infrared (LWIR) sensing applications by exploiting the unique optical and material properties of chalcogenide glass. PNNL has developed thin-film deposition capabilities, direct laser writing techniques, infrared photonic device demonstration, holographic optical element design and fabrication, photonic device modeling, and advanced optical metrology—all specific to chalcogenide glass. Chalcogenide infrared photonics provides a pathway to quantum cascade laser (QCL) transmitter miniaturization. QCLs provide a viable infrared laser source for a new class of laser transmitters capable of meeting the performance requirements for a variety of national security sensing applications. The high output power, small size, and superb stability and modulation characteristics of QCLs make them amenable for integration as transmitters into ultra-sensitive, ultra-selective point sampling and remote short-range chemical sensors that are particularly useful for nuclear nonproliferation missions. During FY 2005, PNNL’s Infrared Photonics research team made measurable progress exploiting the extraordinary optical and material properties of chalcogenide glass to develop miniaturized integrated optics for mid-wave infrared (MWIR) and long-wave infrared (LWIR) sensing applications. We investigated sulfur purification methods that will eventually lead to routine production of optical quality chalcogenide glass. We also discovered a glass degradation phenomenon and our investigation uncovered the underlying surface chemistry mechanism and developed mitigation actions. Key research was performed to understand and control the photomodification properties. This research was then used to demonstrate several essential infrared photonic devices, including LWIR single-mode waveguide devices and waveguide couplers. Optical metrology tools were also developed to characterize optical waveguide structures and LWIR optical components.