Near-field Fiber Laser Comb Spectroscopy (NFLCS)

Based on our success in developing the world first commercial 100 micro Joule <200 fs fiber laser system and our leading technology development in ultrashort pulsed fiber laser, PolarOnyx and University of Wisconsin-Madison propose to develop a powerful new tool for nanoscale resolution imaging using femtosecond fiber laser optical frequency combs. This new standoff measurement concept—near field, fiber-laser comb spectroscopy (NFLCS)—will provide a miniature, low cost, and low power instrument for measurements of chemically and biologically active nano-systems with sub-100 nm resolution. Two coherent beams with harmonic frequency-comb spectra are employed, one for illuminating the scanning tip, the other as reference for multi-heterodyne detection of the scattered light. This optical frequency comb (OFC) spans over a spectral range centered at 1.03 ìm to probe overtone vibrations of molecular bonds, including the stretching of C-H, N-H, O-H, and S-H bonds. As such, NFLCS can detect CH4, O3, H2O, CO2, CO, H2S, N2O, NH3, HCN, C2H2, C6H6 (benzene) and many other volatile compounds. The integrated system will be the first extremely compact comprehensive system with up to 10 ìs snapshot acquisition of infrared spectra enabled by new technique of background suppression. In phase I through the Phase II, required performance parameters of NFLCS technology for nanoscale spectroscopic imaging will be assessed through studies to evaluate the effectiveness of the fiber laser frequency comb use in imaging technology. BENEFIT: With successful development of the technology proposed by PolarOnyx and University of Wisconsin will provide a vital tool to solve the existing and potential issues and merge with the huge markets including: Pharmaceutical and food industries for quality and process control, biosensing, catalysis and cellular diagnostics. The high power amplifier/laser can be applied to ophthalmology, refractive surgery, photocoagulation, general surgery, therapeutic, imaging, and cosmetic applications. Biomedical instruments include those involved in cells or proteins, cytometry, and DNA sequencing; laser Raman spectroscopy, spectrofluorimetry, and ablation; and laser based microscopes. Fast spectral imaging device can be used for biometric identification systems as well.