Ring Laser with Power Build-Up Cavity for Chemical Sensing

The need for accurate substance detection is relevant in many fields. From security to medical and scientific analysis, a system that can enhance the sensing of substances of interest while reducing resources used is sought. Systems that can amplify light beams and control their linewidth play a crucial role in achieving this, yet many existing systems rely on complex and bulky electronics that add to the size, weight, and power (SWaP) demands of the system. In applications for which mobility and easy deployment are crucial, the  size and complexity may render the systems impractical, even when they achieve high accuracy. Hence, a more efficient and portable solution to narrow linewidth and increase light beam power is needed.

Technology Description

This system is designed to increase the power of light beams and narrow their linewidth for sensing substances. The system consists of a build-up cavity located within a larger main cavity, enhancing the interaction between the light beams and the substance samples. The main cavity contains a gain material to amplify the light beams. Some of the amplified light beams oscillate in the build-up cavity providing feedback that controls the linewidth of the light beams. What sets this system apart from others is its utilization of the build-up and main cavities as distinct filters. Light beams that propogate through both filters are amplified preferentially. This combination leads to high power and narrow linewidth of the light beams without relying on complex electronics. As a result, the system's size, weight, and power (SWaP) requirements are significantly reduced.