Timothy Day, CEO Daylight Solutions
Paul Larson, President Daylight Solutions
As our first Light Topic, we thought it appropriate to start with the question “Why the mid-IR?”
For decades scientists have known that the mid-wave infrared to long-wave infrared (MWIR to LWIR) region of the spectrum is rich with information on molecular content. The ability to sense the world around us through mid-IR spectroscopy has long been understood and practiced in research centers throughout the world. The challenge has been to pull mid-IR out of the labs and drive it into large scale commercial opportunities and defense applications. To clarify, MWIR to LWIR is defined here as the wavelength of light ranging from 3 µm to 12 µm. Although the benefits that this spectrum brings to applications such as sensors (molecular detection) and illuminators is well-known, growth opportunities have been severely limited due to the cost and complexity of the technology.
However, new advances by Daylight Solutions have resulted in the integration of solid state Quantum Cascade technology with telecom and disk-drive technologies, enabling robust, high-quality, mid-IR laser sources that fit in the palm of your hand. These advances have created explosive opportunities in the areas of medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, industrial process controls, defense, and scientific research.
The introduction of these small, portable, and highly reliable sources has eliminated dependence on large CO2 lasers, and OPO laser sources for MWIR and LWIR sources. New commercial opportunities are now being advanced through Daylight Solutions’ OEM sensor engines and scientific laser sources.
The figure above shows the mid- to long-wave region of the elecro-magnetic spectrum and some of the many applications that can be addressed with systems and subsystems based on these wavelengths of light. Nearly every molecule of interest has a strong absorption in this region of the spectrum. This fact can be used to develop robust, miniature sensors that can make the world a better and safer place.
New market opportunities are emerging or are being enhanced as a result of these advances. Breath diagnostics is an especially exciting opportunity, allowing for non-invasive detection of human “bio-markers.” These are molecules in the breath that give strong diagnostic clues relating the health of medical patients. New camera technologies that operate in the MWIR to LWIR can “see” in zero light conditions and are rapidly emerging for defense and search and rescue activities.
Standoff detection of explosives and protection of aircraft can also be accomplished most effectively by operating in the MWIR to LWIR. Small, robust sources are now generating diffraction-limited beam performance with watt class optical output powers through free space and fiber.
Environmental monitoring of green house gases is increasingly important, as is the need for ubiquitous sensor networks in high threat areas. Sensors to protect miners, to monitor industrial processes, or ensure the quality of pipelines are all areas that benefit from MWIR-LWIR technology.
Systems and subsystems operating at these wavelengths are currently available, and will continue to undergo significant advancement in the coming years. Photonics and semiconductor technologies with their manufacturing disciplines are being merged by Daylight Solutions to create highly manufacturable solutions for large-scale commercial and defense applications.
The coming 5-10 years will see new products, technologies, and manufacturing capabilities that will drive MWIR-LWIR into full commercial acceptance and utilization. Daylight Solutions is proud to be a world leader in the creation of business development opportunities made possible through its advanced technologies in the MWIR-LWIR.