Mid-infrared (MIR) wavelengths between 2.5 and 25μm are especially useful for the identification of molecules via vibrational spectroscopy. The wide transparency of chalcogenide glasses (ChGs), which can extend beyond 20um, and high third-order optical nonlinearities, make them a very good candidate for chemical or biochemical sensing applications. In addition, ChG planar waveguides can be compact, highly reproducible, and be monolithically integrated with sources and detectors. As a result, chalcogenide waveguides are being developed as optical sensors, sources and other devices for the mid-infrared.

In this talk I will give a broad overview of what we do with chalcogenide glasses in our group. It will include introduction of chalcogenides glass and integrated devices fabrication, basic physics of spectroscopic sensing, supercontinuum generation, and main experimental techniques we use.

There will be snacks and a lab tour after the seminar.