Abstract

The mid-infrared (MIR) region is emerging as the favourite wavelength band for a number of applications, including high sensitivity trace detection, chemical emission monitoring, process control, and biological sensing applications. An efficient way to get precise and reliable information is to rely on spectroscopic analysis. The European FP7 Integrated Project MIRIFISENS (www.mirifisens-project.eu), leading the state of the art on Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) sources in the MIR regions, has organized this session to present the project results, as part of its dissemination activities. The project has covered the full value chain, from QCL optimization, photonic integration to application in various fields, from process monitoring to air quality measurements. The session aims to present the state-of-the-art that MIRIFISENS has been able to achieve, opening a debate about which are the current gaps of MIR technologies, and the potential paths for bridging them. The goal is to trace a roadmap for the future research needs for the development of this spectral region, identify competing technologies and discuss regulation barriers that might be needed to overcome.

© 2016 Optical Society of America