New fiber laser with 25X more light emission promising for breath analysis

Feb. 19, 2014
Physics researchers at the University of Adelaide in Australia have developed a new fiber laser that will enable breath analysis for disease diagnosis, as well as remote sensing of critical greenhouse gases.

Physics researchers at the University of Adelaide in Australia have developed a new fiber laser that will enable breath analysis for disease diagnosis, as well as remote sensing of critical greenhouse gases.

Related: Noninvasive medical breath analysis with sensitive IR spectroscopy

Related: Crowd-sourced measurements offer a unique view of pollution's effects

The researchers, who hail from the University's Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing and the School of Chemistry and Physics, have been able to produce 25 times more light emission than other lasers operating at a similar wavelength, opening the way for detection of very low concentrations of gases.

"This laser has significantly more power and is much more efficient than other lasers operating in this frequency range," says Ori Henderson-Sapir, PhD researcher. "Using a novel approach, we've been able to overcome the significant technical hurdles that have prevented fiber lasers from producing sufficient power in the mid-infrared."

Related: NSF proposes center for mid-IR medical systems

The new laser operates in the mid-infrared (mid-IR) frequency range—the same wavelength band in which many important hydrocarbon gases absorb light.

"Probing this region of the electromagnetic spectrum, with the high power we've achieved, means we will be able to detect these gases with a high degree of sensitivity," says project leader Dr. David Ottaway. "For instance, it should enable the possibility of analyzing trace gases in exhaled breath in the doctors' surgery."

Research has shown that with various diseases, minute amounts of gases not normally exhaled can be detected in the breath; for example, acetone can be detected in the breath when someone has diabetes.

Other potential applications include detection in the atmosphere of methane and ethane, which are important gases in global warming.

"The main limitation to date with laser detection of these gases has been the lack of suitable light sources that can produce enough energy in this part of the spectrum," says Ottaway. "The few available sources are generally expensive and bulky and, therefore, not suitable for widespread use."

The new laser uses an optical fiber, which is easier to work with, less bulky, more portable, and much more cost-effective to produce than other types of lasers.

The researchers, who also include Jesper Munch, Emeritus Professor of Experimental Physics, reported light emission at 3.6 µm—the deepest mid-IR emission from a fiber laser operating at room temperature. They have also shown that the laser has the promise of efficient emission across a large wavelength spectrum from 3.3 to 3.8 µm.

"This means it has incredible potential for scanning for a range of gases with a high level of sensitivity, with great promise as a very useful diagnostic and sensing tool," says Ottaway.

Full research details appear in the journal Optics Letters; for more information, please visit http://www.opticsinfobase.org/ol/abstract.cfm?uri=ol-39-3-493.

-----

Follow us on Twitter, 'like' us on Facebook, and join our group on LinkedIn

Subscribe now to BioOptics World magazine; it's free!

About the Author

BioOptics World Editors

We edited the content of this article, which was contributed by outside sources, to fit our style and substance requirements. (Editor’s Note: BioOptics World has folded as a brand and is now part of Laser Focus World, effective in 2022.)

Sponsored Recommendations

Flexible, Thixotropic, One Component Dual Cure Epoxy

Dec. 1, 2023
Master Bond UV23FLDC-80TK is a moderate viscosity, cationic type system that offers both UV light and heat curing mechanisms. It cures readily within 20-30 seconds when exposed...

MRF Polishing

Dec. 1, 2023
Welcome to Avantier, your esteemed partner in optical solutions for over five decades. With a legacy of expert knowledge, we invite you to delve into the realm of precision optics...

Fluorescence Microscopy Part 1: Illuminating Samples for High-Resolution Imaging

Dec. 1, 2023
Illuminating Samples Fluorescence microscopy is a powerful imaging technique widely used in various fields, especially in biomedical research, to visualize and study fluorescently...

Photonics Business Moves: December 1, 2023

Dec. 1, 2023
Here are the top four photonics business moves that made headlines during the week ending December 1, 2023.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Laser Focus World, create an account today!