This National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering program (CFDA 47.041) award of $425,000.00 to Carnegie Mellon University aims to develop a transformative chip-scale quantum spectroscopy technology platform for mid-infrared gas sensing. The key products and services to be delivered include:
(A) Optimization of a silicon-carbide-on-aluminum-nitride integrated photonics platform for low-loss performance from visible to mid-infrared wavelengths.
(B) Development of silicon carbide nonlinear optics as an efficient source of quantum-correlated mid-infrared and visible photon pairs.
(C) Implementation of wavelength multiplexing to probe multiple gas fingerprints using a single sensor.
(D) Compact and highly sensitive gas sensors based on undercut silicon carbide waveguides.
(E) Integrated optical components like filters and couplers necessary for the quantum sensing scheme.
This award, running from Sep 1, 2024 to Aug 31, 2027, seeks to advance mid-infrared quantum spectroscopy, resulting in a portable and versatile gas sensing solution that can leverage existing near-infrared/visible technology infrastructure.