Aims & Objectives_MIRPHAB_Hitesh_17.10.

2017

Project MIRPHAB (Mid-infrared photonics devices fabrication for chemical sensing

and spectroscopic applications)

The main focus of project is to provide open industry access to novel spectrometers
operating in the mid-IR range. Where the targeted spectroscopic analyses technology
is Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS), which uses a tunable laser
to sweep over wavelength region targeted from 3 to 12 m. The MIRPHAB aims to
supply the first prototypes with a fabrication process scalable to volume production.

MIRPHABs mission is to provide assembled modules based on components and

building blocks for laser-based optical spectroscopic sensors. These elementary
building blocks are: -

Wavelength-tunable MIR light sources (ICLs and QCLs)

Photodetectors
Integrated measurement cells
Integrated MIR photonic chips

Aim To assemble a widely tunable external cavity laser by coupling a ICL/QCL gain
chip with a SOI photonic waveguide circuit (for wavelength selection) in order to deliver
a fully monolithic tunable source.

Objectives :-

I. Setting up a micro-optic alignment set-up to perform the coupling experiments

between the ICL gain chips and SOI wavelength selector chips.

II. Performing Butt-Coupling between gain chips and SOI circuit.

III. Conducting experiments to test the wavelength tunability, beam profiling and
performance characteristics on the coupled circuits.
 Short Term Goals :-

I. Testing, optimization and selecting for a suitable ICL gain chip and so
correspondingly a suitable packaging and mounting methods for the chosen lasers.

II. Setting up the micro-optic stage and getting familiar with optics alignment
techniques.

III. Get familiar with butt-coupling procedure between diode lasers and waveguide
circuits.

IV. Getting familiar with the circuit design and science behind the SOI wavelength
selector chip, in order to have a better understanding of its working.