Chip scale broadly tunable laser for laser spectrometer

We are developing an innovative Tunable Laser Spectrometer (TLS) that is compact, broad tuning range (> 200 nm) enabled by an innovative chip-scale (a waveguide based architecture), non-mechanical (voltage- controlled tuning), Waveguide External-cavity Semiconductor Laser (WECSL). This WECSL based TLS, with broad tuning range, will enable the simultaneous measurement of multiple gases abundances in Martian and other planetary atmospheres, adsorbed to soil; and bound to rocks. This monolithic, robust, integrated-optic Tunable Laser Absorption Spectrometer (TLS) will operate in the near infrared and infrared spectral bands. The system architecture, principles of operation and applications of the TLS will be reported in this paper.