Project description
Powerful, versatile infrared laser could revolutionise the industrial laser market
The short-wavelength infrared band in the electromagnetic spectrum that covers wavelengths close to 2 μm has been of interest for its plethora of potential applications. The EU-funded SWIP project aims to move its newly developed nanosecond pulsed fibre laser technology operating at 2 μm closer to commercialisation. The project will develop highly portable, versatile and affordable prototypes tailored to customer needs. The team will then assess the competitive advantages of the newly developed prototypes in key and emerging markets, and investigate various commercialisation avenues and business models to establish a sound exploitation strategy.
Objective
The 2+ um short-wave infrared spectral band has been gaining constant momentum in the recent years, driven by a plethora of potential applications whose performances could be improved either in terms of sensitivity, security, reach or efficiencies. Opening this wavelength range for widespread usage necessarily requires developing new technologies such as fibre lasers, which have already found wide use at 1.0 and 1.5 um.
We propose in this ERC Proof of Concept project SWIP to move our nanosecond pulsed 2+ um fibre laser technology closer to commercialization. Advanced prototypes will be tailored to satisfy user needs such as portability, affordability and versatility while delivering the required performances to fully exploit the 2+ um spectral band. The project will push the operation of extremely simple, compact 2 um fibre lasers with customized pulsing and towards wavelengths yet un-exploited by utilizing novel co-doped fibres.
More specifically, the objectives of this PoC are therefore to A) optimize and tailor our prototype to user needs, B) assess our competitive advantages in key and emerging markets, C) investigate various commercialization avenues and business models as to establish a sound exploitation strategy.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
ERC-POC-LS - ERC Proof of Concept Lump Sum PilotHost institution
1015 Lausanne
Switzerland