Remote methane sensing using single-photon PPLN-waveguide upconversion lidar

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Smith, Ruaridh and Cardoso, Arthur C. and Morland, Imogen and Thomas, Jack W. and Pandiyan, Krish and Blanchard-Emmerson, Greg and Gawith, Corin and Carver, Sara and Weld, Andrew and Ai, Xiao and Rarity, John G. and McKnight, Loyd J. (2025) Remote methane sensing using single-photon PPLN-waveguide upconversion lidar. Optics Express, 33 (13). pp. 28177-28188. ISSN 1094-4087 (https://doi.org/10.1364/oe.562989)

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Abstract

We report on a sensitive methane gas detection system using waveguide-based single-photon upconversion from 1651 nm to 798 nm wavelength for efficient detection. Single-photon light detection and ranging (LIDAR) techniques offer a route to high-sensitivity direct detection, which is important for environmental monitoring in industrial settings. We report on waveguide fabrication, testing, and overall system development using a fibre-pigtailed waveguide package. We achieve an internal upconversion efficiency of 86%. By combining this system with an active imaging module, we demonstrate methane gas sensing in an outdoor environment. We show this approach is a practical route to enhance the sensitivity of cost-effective environmental monitoring systems.

ORCID iDs

Smith, Ruaridh, Cardoso, Arthur C., Morland, Imogen, Thomas, Jack W., Pandiyan, Krish, Blanchard-Emmerson, Greg, Gawith, Corin, Carver, Sara, Weld, Andrew, Ai, Xiao, Rarity, John G. and McKnight, Loyd J. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2121-0907;
  • Item type:Article
    ID code:93408
    Dates:
    Date
    Event
    30 June 2025
    Published
    25 June 2025
    Published Online
    31 May 2025
    Accepted
    Subjects:Science > Physics
    Department:Faculty of Science > Physics > Institute of Photonics
    Depositing user: Pure Administrator
    Date deposited:04 Jul 2025 14:44
    Last modified:09 Nov 2025 22:27
    URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/93408
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