Radio frequency transmitter based on a laser frequency comb.

Since the days of Hertz, radio transmitters have evolved from rudimentary circuits emitting around 50 MHz to modern ubiquitous Wi-Fi devices operating at gigahertz radio bands. As wireless data traffic continues to increase, there is a need for new communication technologies capable of high-frequency operation for high-speed data transfer. Here, we give a proof of concept of a compact radio frequency transmitter based on a semiconductor laser frequency comb. In this laser, the beating among the coherent modes oscillating inside the cavity generates a radio frequency current, which couples to the electrodes of the device. We show that redesigning the top contact of the laser allows one to exploit the internal oscillatory current to drive a dipole antenna, which radiates into free space. In addition, direct modulation of the laser current permits encoding a signal in the radiated radio frequency carrier. Working in the opposite direction, the antenna can receive an external radio frequency signal, couple it to the active region, and injection lock the laser. These results pave the way for applications and functionality in optical frequency combs, such as wireless radio communication and wireless synchronization to a reference source.

Active hyperspectral imaging using a quantum cascade laser (QCL) array and digital-pixel focal plane array (DFPA) camera.

We demonstrate active hyperspectral imaging using a quantum-cascade laser (QCL) array as the illumination source and a digital-pixel focal-plane-array (DFPA) camera as the receiver. The multi-wavelength QCL array used in this work comprises 15 individually addressable QCLs in which the beams from all lasers are spatially overlapped using wavelength beam combining (WBC). The DFPA camera was configured to integrate the laser light reflected from the sample and to perform on-chip subtraction of the passive thermal background. A 27-frame hyperspectral image was acquired of a liquid contaminant on a diffuse gold surface at a range of 5 meters. The measured spectral reflectance closely matches the calculated reflectance. Furthermore, the high-speed capabilities of the system were demonstrated by capturing differential reflectance images of sand and KClO3 particles that were moving at speeds of up to 10 m/s.

High-power arrays of quantum cascade laser master-oscillator power-amplifiers.

We report on multi-wavelength arrays of master-oscillator power-amplifier quantum cascade lasers operating at wavelengths between 9.2 and 9.8 µm. All elements of the high-performance array feature longitudinal (spectral) as well as transverse single-mode emission at peak powers between 2.7 and 10 W at room temperature. The performance of two arrays that are based on different seed-section designs is thoroughly studied and compared. High output power and excellent beam quality render the arrays highly suitable for stand-off spectroscopy applications.

The sero-epidemiology of Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) across livestock species and herding contexts in Laikipia County, Kenya.

Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Query fever (Q fever), is among the most highly infectious zoonotic pathogens transmitted among livestock, with chronic effects challenging to veterinary and medical detection and care systems. Transmission among domestic livestock species can vary regionally due to herd management practices that determine which livestock species are raised, whether or not livestock are in contact with wildlife, and the susceptibility of these livestock to infection. To explore how different livestock management practices are associated with the risk of infection in multispecies environments, we carried out a comparative study of three types of herd management systems in the central Kenyan county of Laikipia: agro-commercial, mixed conservancy/commercial, and smallholder ranches. We tested C. burnetii antibody seroprevalence in four common livestock species. Across all management types, the highest seroprevalence was in camels (20%), followed by goats (18%), sheep (13%), and cattle (6%). We observed a lower odds of testing seropositive for young compared to adult animals (adjusted OR = 0.44 [95% CI 0.24, 0.76]), and for males compared to females (adjusted OR = 0.52 [95% CI 0.33, 0.80]). Animals from mixed conservancy/commercial and smallholder operations had a higher odds of testing seropositive compared to animals from agro-commercial ranches (adjusted OR = 5.17 [95% CI 2.71, 10.44] and adjusted OR = 2.21 [95% CI 1.17, 4.43] respectively). These data suggest that herd management practices might affect the transmission dynamics of C. burnetiiin arid African ecosystems like those seen in Kenya where several transmission modes are possible, risk of drought has promoted new livestock species such as camels, and multiple wildlife species may co-occur with livestock on the landscape. Further longitudinal studies are needed to disentangle the mechanisms underlying these patterns, and further explore transmission patterns between wildlife, domestic animal, and human populations.

Raman spectroscopy of n-type and p-type GaSb with multiple excitation wavelengths.

The interpretation of Raman spectra of GaSb can be complicated by the presence of a so-called surface space-charge region (SSCR), resulting in an inhomogeneous near-surface Raman scattering environment. To fully interpret Raman spectra, it is important to have an understanding of the SSCR profile relative to the Raman probe depth. However, a priori determination of even the actual SSCR width is not always possible for GaSb under a wide range of doping levels. The primary objective of this report is to provide a convenient reference to aid in the determination of relative contributions to an observed GaSb Raman spectrum of SSCR scattering and bulk scattering for a range of excitation wavelengths, doping levels, and SSCR widths and types. Raman spectra of both n-type and p-type doped GaSb epilayers were obtained using 488 nm, 514.5 nm, 647.1 nm, and 752.55 nm excitation radiation. Both n-type and p-type doped GaSb epilayers were selected for investigation because these layers exhibit the two different SSCR types that are typically encountered with as-grown GaSb and related materials. A range of doping levels were examined for each doping type so as to examine the effects of a varying SSCR width on the observed spectra. A secondary objective of this report is to demonstrate the performance of a spectroscopic system based on 752.55 nm excitation that is sensitive to bulk carrier properties in n-type and p-type doped GaSb epilayers over a wide doping range, unlike visible-wavelength-based optical systems.

Watt-Level Continuous-Wave Emission from a Bifunctional Quantum Cascade Laser/Detector.

Bifunctional active regions, capable of light generation and detection at the same wavelength, allow a straightforward realization of the integrated mid-infrared photonics for sensing applications. Here, we present a high performance bifunctional device for 8 µm capable of 1 W single facet continuous wave emission at 15 °C. Apart from the general performance benefits, this enables sensing techniques which rely on continuous wave operation, for example, heterodyne detection, to be realized within a monolithic platform and demonstrates that bifunctional operation can be realized at longer wavelength, where wavelength matching becomes increasingly difficult and that the price to be paid in terms of performance is negligible. In laser operation, the device has the same or higher efficiency compared to the best lattice-matched QCLs without same wavelength detection capability, which is only 30% below the record achieved with strained material at this wavelength.