Breakthrough laser tech lidar enhances accuracy and gas detection

Laser technology underlines many modern applications requiring accurate measurement and communication. Scientists led by Johan Remensborgers of NTNU have developed a new integrated laser that is sharp, powerful, relatively inexpensive and easy to use. This work is a collaboration with Switzerland’s école polytechnique fédérale de lausanne (EPFL) and Chip expert luxtelligence. This approach crosses the major boundaries of traditional accurate lasers, which are usually large, expensive and difficult to adjust. According to Riemensberger, such laser can enable small, inexpensive, high-performance equipment and communication systems.

Advanced material, micro circuit

According to the study published in Nature photonicsThe new laser is applied to a photonic chip, such as using advanced ingredients such as thin-film lithium niobate, take advantage of its electro-optic (postic (postic) effects for ultrafast, mode-free frequency tuning. It combines lithium niobate circuit with a commercial semiconductor advantage chip, a laser yield which is both powerful and strong.

This emits a stable beam and allows the frequency to adjust quickly and smoothly without mode hops. In particular, the device can be operated using single tuning knob instead of several controls. Because it depends on the standard chip fabrication processes, the laser can be produced extensively. “Our findings make it possible to create small, cheap and user -friendly measurements and communication equipment with high performance,” says Remissorgers.

Self-driving car and air quality detector

Traditional precision laser is often large, expensive and difficult to tune. Riemensberger notes that “our new laser solves many of these problems”. The team performed the device in the Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) system for self-driving cars, where laser measures reflected pulses on time. This laser gained a range accuracy of about four centimeters, leading to a very high-resolution environmental mapping.

Its rapid, mode-free tuning allowed it to sweep it into gas absorption lines, which enabled the sensitive detection of trace hydrogen cyanide to demonstrate the capacity for rapid gas sensitizing in safety and environmental monitoring. In fact, Simone Biancon of EPFL notes that a combination of laser tuable, low-showing output makes it well suited for coherent lidar and precise gas sensing.