Project description
Revolutionising optical frequency conversion
Optical frequency conversion technology, which was initially developed for the FET Proactive project QUIC (Quantum simulation of insulators and conductors), is changing. The EU-funded UVALITH project seeks to make this technology applicable in industrial and biomedical fields. Optical frequency converters use nonlinear optical processes like second harmonic generation to produce coherent light at wavelengths that are currently unavailable or inefficient with existing laser sources. This is valuable for biological and medical applications. The QUIC project successfully developed a compact and stable monolithic frequency converter that efficiently converts affordable near-infrared light into coherent UVA. UVALITH aims to advance this patented technology from the proof-of-concept stage to a scalable, versatile, and reliable solution for industrial and commercial adoption.
Objective
UVALITH proposes to advance optical frequency conversion technology developed for the FET Proactive project QUIC
(Quantum Simulation of Insulators and Conductors) toward industrial and biomedical use. Optical frequency converters use
nonlinear optical processes such as second harmonic generation to produce coherent light at wavelengths that are not
available, or not efficient, with existing laser sources. Importantly, optical frequency converters can reach near-ultraviolet
(UVA) wavelengths, employed in biological and medical applications based on fluorescent biomarkers. In QUIC, we have
developed a monolithic frequency converter, in which a single nonlinear optical crystal acts simultaneously as an optical
resonator, frequency converter, and tuning system. The resulting device is compact and extremely stable, and efficiently
converts inexpensive near-infrared (NIR) light into coherent UVA. UVALITH will advance this recently-patented technology
from the laboratory proof-of-principle stage to a technology level suitable for uptake by industrial and commercial actors,
including advances in scalability, versatility and reliability.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
CSA - Coordination and support actionCoordinator
08860 Castelldefels
Spain