MICROJOULE ULTRAFAST OPTICAL PARAMETRIC OSCILLATOR: BRIDGING THE TECHNICAL AND COMMERCIAL GAP BETWEEN OSCILLATORS AND AMPLIFIERS

High-energy ultrafast infrared (1.5 - 4.0um) laser sources are needed for optical waveguide writing; free-space spectroscopy for environmental monitoring / explosives detection; 3D ranging; multiphoton imaging; and nonlinear spectroscopy. Commercial systems are either low-energy, high-repetition-rate optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) or high-energy, low-repetition-rate optical parametric amplifiers (OPAs). A market exists for sources that can bridge the wide technology gap between these extremes, providing sufficient energy to drive nonlinear processes, but delivering pulses at the high repetition rates that improve processing speed, signal:noise, waveguide quality etc. Building on a patent-pending energy-scaling concept demonstrated in EPSRC project EP/E016863/1 (ending March 2010) we aim to demonstrate a 1000-fold increase in pulse energy over existing commercial ultrafast OPOs, providing a disruptive and commercially attractive solution filling the existing technology gap.

1. Non-Academic Beneficiaries of the Research and the Nature of the Non-Academic Benefits Our aim is to bring the technology developed under EPSRC project EP/E016863/1 to a sufficient stage of maturity that it presents a viable commercial opportunity capable of attracting private investment. This opportunity will take the form of either a licensing deal with a UK company, or the incorporation of a new company, as an independent spin-out or a joint venture with an established manufacturer in the UK photonics sector. Either of the two outcomes outlined above will benefit the UK photonics sector in the form of a unique and highly competitive product. This outcome will benefit the UK economy by creating new skilled employment, driven by the sales of the new technology. Instruments incorporating the new technology will benefit wider sectors including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, semiconductor device, integrated optics / telecomms and remote sensing. 2. Provisions to Ensure Engagement with Potential Beneficiaries 2.1 Methods for Communication and Engagement Heriot-Watt's Technology and Research Services (TRS) office will play a key role in disseminating the technology to candidate partners / licensees. This will be done via, * face-to-face presentations to companies * technical conferences / industry fairs * non-confidential technology briefs * TRS's list of industrial contacts * connections and partnerships that are available through Scottish Enterprise, e.g. Globalscot. * Established links between the PI and UK laser manufacturers * industrial connections through the Scottish Optoelectronics Association * contacts within the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA) * industrial contacts within the Scottish Manufacturing Initiative (SMI) based at Heriot-Watt * articles in industry journals 2.2 Management of Collaborations Discussions with potential licensees or partners will be subject to a non-disclosure agreement and (where appropriate) a collaboration agreement defining the management of background / foreground IP, confidentiality and financial limitations. 2.3 Exploitation and Application Heriot-Watt's Technology and Research Services (TRS) office will provide support and advice covering a wide spectrum of exploitation routes from successful knowledge exchange applications and PPE activity, to KTPs through to licensing and spin outs. TRS will work with the investigators to ensure that all possible exploitation is pursued and is properly protected by the appropriate means (e.g. collaboration agreements, NDAs, patent applications). 2.4 Capability and Experience in Achieving Knowledge Exchange and Impact The PI will take joint responsibility with TRS for identifying research outcomes that should be progressed further (e.g. via patent protection) to maximise the opportunity for commercial or other general impact. The PI's experience in this activity includes: (i) previous patenting and commercialisation of a pulse measurement instrument in 1997 (ii) several articles in the non-academic industry literature (iii) cash funding from industry, amounting to 350k over the last 6 years (iv) finalist ranking in the Thales Scottish Technology Prize 2008 Close interactions of TRS with organisations such as Interface, the ITIs and the investment community will facilitate marketing and commercialisation of our proposed technology. 2. 5 Resources for Impact Activities Many of the impact activities have no direct resource implications or are supported by central university services. The exception is the explicit request for a budget covering an extended and updated market analysis. This item already appears in the Justification of Resources.