Detection of mid-IR radiation by sum frequency generation for free space optical communication

We present an experiment where mid-infrared radiation is detected indirectly via the second-order non-linear process of sum frequency generation. The mid-infrared sources used for the experiment are quantum cascade lasers, and we use a pump wavelength that yields an up-converted wavelength within th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inOptics and lasers in engineering Vol. 43; no. 3-5; pp. 537 - 544
Main Authors Karstad, Ketil, Stefanov, André, Wegmuller, Mark, Zbinden, Hugo, Gisin, Nicolas, Aellen, Thierry, Beck, Mattias, Faist, Jérôme
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2005
Subjects
Mid-infrared detection
Quantum cascade laser
Sum frequency generation
Mid-infrared detection
Sum frequency generation
Quantum cascade laser
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Summary:We present an experiment where mid-infrared radiation is detected indirectly via the second-order non-linear process of sum frequency generation. The mid-infrared sources used for the experiment are quantum cascade lasers, and we use a pump wavelength that yields an up-converted wavelength within the detection window of Silicon avalanche photo diodes. Compared with direct detection using state-of-the-art mid-infrared semiconductor detectors, the detection scheme we propose in this paper has the advantages of greater bandwidth and lower noise equivalent power.
ISSN:0143-8166
1873-0302
DOI:10.1016/j.optlaseng.2004.05.006