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Thorlabs, a leading designer and manufacturer of photonics equipment for research, manufacturing, and biomedical applications, announced that it has entered into a license and technology transfer agreement for the patented QCL-Based Dual-Frequency-Comb Spectroscopy Instruments that smart sensor solutions provider Sensirion, a leading manufacturer of digital microsensors and systems, developed at its IRsweep subsidiary. Dual-comb spectroscopy is a rapidly growing field due to its ability to combine many of the strengths of conventional broadband spectroscopy and tunable laser spectroscopy into one platform.

Thorlabs’ Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) capabilities and extensive instrumentation and system experience will allow the organization to rapidly commercialize a Mid-IR spectroscopic sensing platform based on the IRsweep technology. This platform will be targeted to address the evolving needs of the environmental and industrial sensing markets within the molecular fingerprint region. Dual-frequency-comb spectrometers overcome the limitation of conventional scanning FTIR instruments by enabling both high-resolution and high-speed acquisition of optical spectra.

Thorlabs will be growing its successful laser and instrumentation group at its Maryland facility to further develop and commercialize the technology. Thorlabs’ Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Peter Fendel, commented, “I’m thrilled to add IRsweep’s technology to Thorlabs’ broad spectroscopy portfolio. The Dual-Frequency Comb Technology compliments Thorlabs’ existing design and manufacturing capabilities for high-brightness mid-IR lasers like our QCLs and Long-Wave Infrared Supercontinuum Laser Source, the latter of which is based on intra-pulse difference frequency generation and was introduced at Photonics West 2024.”

Sensirion’s Director M&A, Dr. Markus Geiser, adds, “Thorlabs has been a valued partner of IRsweep for years and we are confident that this licensing agreement will grow the application space for QCL dual-comb spectroscopy beyond the Sensirion home markets. My co-founders at IRsweep, Andreas Hugi and Markus Mangold and me are excited about expanding the impact of the technology.”

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