Advanced Solid-State Sources and Applications

The main objective of this project is to develop a widely-tunable mid-infrared source of high spectral purity for the next generation of multi-gas analysers based on high-resolution spectroscopic techniques for accurate measurements of polluting gases generated by industrial processes. Particular emphasis will be directed towards developing a cost-effective means for measuring concentration levels of the gases believed to contribute to global warming. The range of operating wavelengths required is very difficult to achieve via conventional approaches. The VILLAGE technical approach will bring together some of the latest developments in the field of fibre lasers, nonlinear materials, nonlinear frequency conversion and wavelength control to achieve the desired operating characteristics and should offer unprecedented levels of performance in this important wavelength regime. The range of applications for this technology is enormous and goes well beyond gas sensing and pollution monitoring. Hence the results of this work are expected to open up many new avenues of research as well as new applications. The project is supported by the European Commission under the Information Society Technologies priority of the Sixth Framework Program, and involves close collaboration with the Fibre Bragg Gratings and Silica Fibre Fabrication groups within the ORC, and with European partners, Thales Research and Technology (France), Norsk Elektro Optikk (Norway), University of Dusseldorf (Germany) and University of Valladolid (Spain). Further details can be found on the project web site at http://www.neo.no/village/.