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Single mode THz crystal fiber as efficient THz parametric converter

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: FA8650-09-M-5424
Agency Tracking Number: F083-083-2038
Amount: $99,992.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: AF083-083
Solicitation Number: 2008.3
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2008
Award Year: 2009
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2009-01-05
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2009-10-05
Small Business Information
UA Science and Technology Park 9030 S. Rita Road, Suite #120
Tucson, AZ 85747
United States
DUNS: 014750785
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Wei Shi
 Principal Engineer
 (520) 799-7413
 wshi@npphotonics.com
Business Contact
 James Fountain
Title: Director Contract Administration
Phone: (520) 799-7424
Email: fountain@npphotonics.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

We propose to develop a single mode THz crystal fiber as THz parametric converter that can generate high power, narrow linewidth, and tunable THz source in order to implement a novel standoff THz spectroscopy system by leveraging our proprietary fiber processing techniques, fiber lasers at ~ 1.55 microns and patented THz techniques. The proposed single mode THz crystal fiber converter will be fabricated based on NP Photonics’s unique high precision ultrasonic drilling and grinding techniques by using the quasi-phase-matched (QPM) structure GaAs materials including diffusion-bond (DB) GaAs and orientation-patterned GaAs. NP Photonics will demonstrate the highest conversion efficiency for THz parametric generation by using the proposed THz fiber parametric converter owing to its features of THz confinement, quasi-phase-matching, high NLO coefficient (100 pm/V) based on an external cavity and THz OPO cavity in THz generation. In phase I period of this project, we will mainly demonstrate this feasibility that the proposed single mode THz crystal fiber converter will revolutionize the THz parametric conversion efficiency and the THz parametric output power. BENEFIT: Currently, the THz spectral region has been underutilized because of the inadequacy of THz sources. The proposed THz crystal fiber converter and THz source are expected to break this limit, which has the advantages of compact, high efficiency/power, high spectral resolution, extremely wide tunability, and room temperature operation. So this proposed THz crystal fiber converter, THz source and the THz spectroscopy will have large potential market in THz applications, such as remote characterizing damage in aerospace materials, as well as standoff trace detection of hazardous materials and explosives in field due to the fast response, room-temperature operation, low noise, and high sensitivity.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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