The OPTIGAS (2015-2018) ANR project is related to the development of “all-optical” gas sensors in mid-wave (3–5 µm) and long-wave (8–12 µm) infrared (IR) based on “molecular fingerprint” absorption spectroscopy using rare-earth doped fibers made of low phonon energy materials.
The originality of our approach is to develop an all-optical method for the long-wave infrared region allowing in-situ direct analysis (thus without any gas sampling) for remote continuous monitoring in a wide range of gas concentrations.
We want to demonstrate with this project the frequency conversion of long-wave IR signals into near-IR or visible in order to physically separate the sensor and its electronics from the optical head positioned in the sensitive area to be analyzed.
Sulfide, selenide and tellurides fibers doped with different rare-earth ions will be fabricated within the OPTIGAS ANR for mid-wave and long-wave gas detection.
These materials will be used first to develop bright sources in the infrared range corresponding to the absorption of various gases of interest, and secondly to perform a frequency conversion allowing light transport through commercial silica fibers.
This technology has the major advantage of being insensitive to electromagnetic perturbations and deployable for the remote surveillance of sites deemed dangerous or inaccessible to humans.
Coordination : A.Braud (CIMAP-MIL)
Voir en ligne : OPTIGAS ANR