Iain Howieson

Director of R&D, Cascade Technologies

[email protected]

Iain Howieson is director of R&D at Cascade Technologies (Glasgow, Scotland).

FIGURE 1. A modular, ruggedized architecture includes interchangeable laser modules and dual-path-length gas cells, easily configured to meet particular application requirements.

Lasers & Sources

QUANTUM-CASCADE LASERS: Quantum-cascade lasers disrupt gas measurement technologies

Iain Howieson

Feb. 1, 2011

A patented quantum-cascade laser intrapulse technique is at the heart of a ruggedized, accurate, industrial measurement platform designed to disrupt conventional gas measurement...

The advantages of the QC laser have been harnessed in a commercialized gas-sensor platform (top). This platform can switch up to four lasers to eight measurement points simultaneously. In a typical emissions-monitoring application (bottom), design features such as fiber coupling and in situ probes improve measurement integrity.

Research

QUANTUM-CASCADE LASERS: Quantum-cascade lasers enable gas-sensing technology

Erwan Normand

April 1, 2007

Extensive research and manufacturing improvements are delivering the output power levels and spectral behavior necessary to prove quantum-cascade lasers viable for commercial ...

FIGURE 1. Raw data for background and transmission spectra of room air was recorded using a 1270-cm-1 QC laser with intrapulse spectroscopy. A 2000-ns pulse is applied to the laser resulting in a frequency chirp, which sweeps the laser through the spectroscopic transitions of interest. A 0.048-cm-1 germanium etalon signal confirms greater than 6-cm-1 single-mode tuning.

Home

Quantum-cascade lasers smell success

Iain Howieson

March 1, 2005

Innovative spectroscopic techniques and advances in spectrometer hardware promise major performance and cost improvements in tunable diode-laser absorption gas sensors.