The Optical Frequency Comb Spectroscopy Group was established in 2018 at the Wrocław University of Science and Technology.
The main scienfitic goal our research is to develop novel types of ultrafast lasers. We focus on three different fields:
1) Fiber-based optical frequency combs in the mid-infrared spectral range
We develop compact optical frequency combs, suitable for field deployment and outside-lab operation. Such sources are on demand of many applications, particularly laser spectroscopy, e.g. fast and sensitive detection of multiple air pollutants (especially greenhouse gases) at a time, as well as precision spectroscopy (high-resolution studies of broadband molecular spectra). The broad spectral coverage of frequency combs allows to overcome the major limitation of existing spectroscopic techniques based on continuous-wave (CW) lasers: it enables measurement of entire molecular bands and simultaneous monitoring of multiple gas species. The mid-IR combs developed in the frame of this project will be tested as sources for comb-based spectroscopic systems, incorporating Fourier-transform spectrometers and continuous-filtering Vernier spectrometers.
2) Femtosecond lasers for biomedical applications
The second topic of the project is devoted to developing femtosecond fiber lasers for applications in multiphoton microscopy, e.g. two-photon excited fluorescence microscopy. The current extremely fast development of biomedical imagingtechniques like optical coherence tomography (OCT) or multi-photon microscopy requires the development of sophisticated lasers as excitation sources. Further improvement in those techniques and further progress in selected areas of biomedicine (like ophthalmoscopy) relies on the availability of laser sources with proper parameters. The key feature of a biomedical laser is its compactness (which allows for integration with existing microscopes, ophthalmoscopes, etc.) and alignment-free, turnkey operation without the necessity of periodic maintenance or adjustments. We propose novel solutions based on a fiber laser as an alternative for currently used titanium-sapphire lasers. Use of optical fibers enables the development of ultrastable lasers, almost completely resistant to any external disturbances (like vibrations, temperature or humidity variation, dust, etc.) which do not require any alignment. The proposed solution has a great commercial aspect due to the vast and constantly growing biomedical laser market.
3) Using machine learning for self-optimization of ultrashort-pulsed lasers
Our research aims to exploit the nonlinear effects in optical fibers to generate and amplify ultrashort laser pulses. The research will lead to the development of autonomous, intelligent ultrafast laser systems, generating the shortest possible pulses without manual adjustments of the operator. To achieve the goal, we propose the use of arbitrary phase shaping of ultrashort pulses, combined with machine learning for self-optimization of the laser system.
The research team consists of young, skilled and strongly motivated scientists well-prepared to solve scientific and technical problems in the wide range of optoelectronics and photonics.
We collaborate with recognized partners: Prof. Aleksandra Foltynowicz (Umeå University, Sweden), Dr. Gerard Wysocki (Princeton University, US), Prof. Piotr Masłowski (Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland), Prof. Maciej Wojtkowski (International Center for Translational Eye Research, Warsaw, Poland), world leading researchers with proven track records in the field of optical frequency combs and laser spectroscopy.
Our Partners:
Dr. Aleksandra Foltynowicz |
Dr. Piotr Masłowski |
Dr. Gerard Wysocki |
|
Prof. Maciej Wojtkowski |
