System development of novel CW OPO for hyperspectral imaging and sensing

SYNOPOSIS will develop an active, long-wave mid-infrared (LWIR) imaging system capable of catering for a wide range of applications including the detection of explosives, oil and gas prospecting and medical diagnostics. To date, active imaging systems operate mostly in the short-wave mid-infrared spectral region. Moving the technology to longer wavelength will enable access to the so-called molecular fingerprint region where the interaction with light and molecules is significantly stronger, therefore enabling higher sensitivity and specificity. The limiting factor in the context of LWIR active imaging technology has so far been the availability of practical LWIR light sources. SYNOPOSIS will address this issue by advancing the continuous-wave, intracavity-pumped, optical parametric oscillator into the LWIR by employing novel nonlinear materials such as orientation-patterned gallium arsenide and zinc germanium diphosphide.