Capabilities
Historically, the CRF has been able to develop laser diagnostics to detect chemicals in the field as well as in the laboratory. Compact, tunable lasers are important components for many field applications. Such laser sources must be small, robust, and broadly tunable in the infrared region. Currently, such sources exploit advances in optical technology such as rare-earth-doped optical fibers, quasi-phasematching, and crystal patterning. The CRF is developing laser sources for sensors able to detect a host of chemical compounds that absorb light in the infrared region of the spectrum. Applications include the detection of leaks in the natural gas, petroleum, and chemical industries; isotopes and chemical species in the atmosphere; and toxins and agents associated with chemical and bioterrorism. Work on laboratory lasers remains ongoing with the emphasis on faster, tunable lasers like the second-generation picosecond dye laser. Industry and government sponsor this work, which includes important collaborations with the Naval Research Laboratory and Stanford University.
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