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Many modern applications require accurate measurement and communication, and laser technology serves as the foundation for them. Scientists headed by NTNU's Johann Riemensberger have created a new integrated laser that is quick, powerful, economical, and simple to operate. The project is a cooperation between Switzerland's École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and chip expert Luxtelligence. This method addresses the major drawbacks of traditional precision lasers, which are often huge, expensive, and difficult to tune. According to Riemensberger, such lasers might allow tiny, low-cost, high-performance instrumentation and communications systems.
Advanced materials and tiny circuits
According to a paper published in Nature Photonics, the new laser is built on a photonic device using sophisticated materials including thin-film lithium niobate, which uses its electro-optic (Pockels) effect to provide ultrafast, mode-hop-free frequency adjustment. It combines the lithium niobate circuit with a commercial semiconductor gain chip to produce a laser that is both powerful and durable.
It produces a consistent beam and allows the frequency to be changed rapidly and smoothly without mode hopping. Notably, the instrument may be controlled with a single tuning knob rather of many ones. Because it uses normal chip production procedures, the laser can be mass-produced cheaply. "Our findings make it possible to create small, inexpensive and user-friendly measuring instruments and communication tools with high performance," said Riemensberger.
Self-driving vehicles and air quality monitors
Precision lasers are often huge, costly, and difficult to adjust. According to Riemensberger, "our new laser solves several of these problems". The scientists used the gadget in LiDAR (light detection and ranging) systems for self-driving cars, where lasers calculate distance by timing reflected pulses. This laser acquired a range precision of roughly four centimeters, allowing for extremely high-resolution environmental mapping.
Its quick, mode-hop-free tuning enabled it to sweep over gas absorption lines, resulting in sensitive detection of trace hydrogen cyanide and highlighting the promise for rapid gas sensing in safety and environmental monitoring. In fact, Simone Bianconi of EPFL observes that the laser's adjustable, low-noise output makes it ideal for coherent LiDAR and precise gas sensing.
