Pollution control of gas mixtures: gas monitoring and detection of contaminants usingnovel THz technology

Electric power plants are the number one toxic air polluters in North America. The emitted pollutants are proven to cause serious health and environmental issues. The emission of Carbon dioxide and of other pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide – major drivers of the human-accelerated global climate change- must be monitored insitu. Our goal for the present project is to explore the properties of Terahertz radiation for control of pollution in the atmosphere. In particular, we intend to develop a new waveguide-integrated gas monitor, based on Bragg grating sensors. Such devices, whose sensitivity will be increased through modulation via an external magnetic field, will be based on probing induced anisotropy. The integration of the proposed sensor into the existing line of products of our industrial partner, QPS Photronics, can potentially result in a versatile tool for industrial applications, which could give the company a leading edge over the competition.

Faculty Supervisor:

Roberto Morandotti

Student:

Partner:

QPS Photronics Inc

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Manufacturing

University:

Université du Québec : Institut national de la recherche scientifique

Program: