Scientists invent laser source to detect pollution
Eirini Tagkoudi, Camille Brès and Davide Grassani, authors of the laser study
EFPL 2019
Researchers in Lausanne have developed a simple mid-infrared laser source that can be used to detect pollution in the air or molecules in someone’s breath.
The new technology, developed by scientists at the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), consists of a laser with a photonic chip measuring just a few millimeters across and the advantage is that it can fit in a tiny suitcase.
To create the compact device, the team combined a commercially available fiber laser with a micrometer waveguide chip to generate light waves in the mid-infrared spectrum. They then added a spectrometer to demonstrate the potential of this light source, successfully detecting the presence and concentration of acetylene, a colorless and highly flammable gas.
The mid-infrared spectrum used allows scientists to detect a range of particles in the environment, greenhouse gases or even human breath.
“This device sets a new benchmark for efficiency,” said EPFL researcher Davide Grassani. “This is the first time anyone has created a fully integrated spectroscopic laser source. It does away with the painstaking process of precisely aligning all the parts in a conventional laser system.
Their discovery paves the way for miniaturized mid-infrared technologies.
“Once we’ve developed the system further, we could well see on-chip detectors that scientists can easily carry out into the field,” said Camille Brès, project coordinator and head of the Photonic Systems Laboratory, which belongs to EPFL’s School of Engineering.
More
More
EPFL marks 50 years of scientific progress
This content was published on
Over the past five decades, the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) has been the home of many scientific discoveries.
How is your country dealing with the return of stolen artifacts?
Western nations like Switzerland often have to deal with the process of recovering or returning looted artifacts which have been illegally imported. What’s the situation like in your country?
What do you think Switzerland’s Alain Berset can bring to the Council of Europe?
The former interior minister is to become the first Swiss Secretary General of the Council of Europe – which issues should his five-year term focus on?
Swiss luxury watch market hit hard by China-led slump
This content was published on
Sales of Swiss-made luxury watches are in sharp retreat as nervous consumers reconsider splashing out on expensive timepieces and demand slumps.
Swiss foreign minister briefs Russian counterpart on Ukraine peace summit
This content was published on
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis met with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in New York, during Russia's presidency of the UN Security Council.
Criminal proceedings filed over Swiss components in Russian weapons
This content was published on
The Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs has opened more than 50 administrative criminal proceedings for violations of sanctions against Russia.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
EPFL marks 50 years of scientific progress
This content was published on
Over the past five decades, the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) has been the home of many scientific discoveries.
Swiss and French team develops hyper-precise atomic clock
This content was published on
The scientists, including representatives from the University of Neuchatel’s Time and Frequency Laboratory, developed a new class of thermal cesium jet clocks that are ten times more precise than existing atomic clocks. The technology will allow for better-synchronised telecommunications networks as well as improved communication among satellite navigation systems, according to the University of Neuchatel’s…
Robotic hand teaches kids the power of tech and empathy
This content was published on
On Saturday mornings, a Basel arts centre becomes a space for kids on a humanitarian mission. They're making 3D-printed hands for their peers in need.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.