Details
The core of NLIR’s technology is the wavelength conversion module, which upconverts mid-infrared wavelengths to the near-visible range, enabling the use of Si and GaAs detectors. The conversion is driven by a high-power, continuous-wave 1064 nm laser inside a lithium niobate crystal. Everything is integrated and no alignment is necessary.
The TUNE Wavelength Converter is designed to maximize conversion efficiency within a narrow bandwidth, ensuring the highest possible sensitivity for mid-infrared light measurements. It operates in the 2.7 – 4.3 µm range, allowing users to precisely tune the conversion to the desired the wavelength. The converted light is shifted to the 763 – 853 nm range, making it compatible with any fiber-coupled detector operating at these near-infrared wavelengths.
TUNE Wavelength Converter is best suited for detecting narrowband signals that are either weak or vary rapidly over time. It is particularly effective for measuring weak pulsed signals using time-gated PMT or SPAD detectors, while rapidly fluctuating signals can be captured with APDs or high-speed PIN photodiodes.
The conversion efficiency is typically 10 %.
Specifications
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WAVELENGTH TUNING PROPERTIES
When tuning the wavelength conversion band, both the center wavelength and the bandwidth of the conversion change.
As shown in the figure, when setting shorter wavelengths near 2.7 μm to convert, the conversion bandwidth is approximately 25 nm. Conversely, when tuned to the longest wavelengths around 4.0 μm, the bandwidth expands to approximately 300 nm. The inset displays actual measurements of the conversion efficiency at different tuning settings.
WAVELENGTH CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY EXPLAINED
The size of the bandwidth in TUNE Wavelength Converter has a significant impact on the efficiency of photon conversion. For the smallest bandwidths of around 50 nm, the conversion efficiency can reach up to 0.1, enabling extremely sensitive measurements. Meanwhile, wider simultaneous conversion such as 3.3 µm to 5.3 µm results in a conversion efficiency of approximately 0.005, and even wider conversion from 1.9 µm to 5.3 µm has a conversion efficiency of 0.0005.
The ideal combination of bandwidth and conversion efficiency varies depending on many factors, but even the lower conversion efficiencies offer new possibilities for measuring, particularly in spectroscopic applications. Higher conversion efficiencies, coupled with the right visible-light detector, can provide some of the fastest and most sensitive infrared measurement methods available.
Improve your Capabilities
The translation to near-visible wavelengths gives further advantages than lower noise-equivalent power. Higher detection speed than conventional MIR detectors is readily available by just plugging the output fiber into a GHz GaAs detector; 10 GHz or even 25 GHz detectors are available off-the-shelf. Even further, standard near-visible light detectors often come pre-amplified with a response of up to GV/W, which eases the measurement of the electrical output.
NB! The spectral resolution of the upconverted light is approx. 2.5 cm-1. If your application requires better resolution, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Dr. Alessandro Trenti, Marie-Curie Cofund Postdoc
High-performance Wavelength Converter and exceptional support
NLIR provided professional assistance and transparency for knowledge sharing. I am definitely satisfied with the performance of NLIR Wavelength Converter and the scientific collaboration with the technical NLIR team.
