Mid-infrared lasers and integrated sensors for IoT

Affordable and reliable laser sensors are poised to become the cornerstone of sensor networks for the next era of the Internet of Things (IoT). These sensors are needed in Canada and around the world to enable continuous monitoring of greenhouse gas leaks, control of hazardous emissions, and data collection for studies on climate change and human-environment interactions. Laser sensing technologies will also become increasingly integrated into our daily lives in the coming years. Spectrometers-on-a-chip will allow individuals to monitor air and water quality and environmental risks in real time, addressing a growing public interest in health, safety, and the impacts of human-environment interactions. Versatile and ultra-compact lasers, functioning as both a sensing and communication device, can be integrated into smartphones and various wearable devices to protect our health and guide our environmentally responsible activities. The mid-infrared (mid-IR) is an ideal spectral range for these applications because it contains the molecular signatures of many important compounds. Furthermore, recent research advances have demonstrated the strong potential of the mid-infrared for guided wave and free-space communications, indicating that the same tunable laser source can be reconfigured for either detection or communication, thus opening up extremely exciting possibilities for wearable technologies.

Existing mid-infrared systems are based on discrete optical components interconnected in free space and are therefore both expensive and energy inefficient. Integrating these components onto silicon in a mid-infrared system would reduce costs and energy consumption by orders of magnitude, while also enabling unparalleled compactness and lightness for portability, high reliability, and easy integration with electronics. The results of this research could expand the IoT infrastructure to enable a safer and greener Canada. This research will also position Canadian manufacturers at the forefront of a rapidly expanding, multi-billion-dollar market, fostering a better high-tech ecosystem and creating new jobs in Canada.