Invention

Lasers as sources for coherent and intense light are used in many high-tech applications and medical devices. Generally, the generation of Laser-light is characterized by a significant level of optical and electrical energy input and low efficiency.

Contrary to the Laser, BEL utilizes an organic dye/polymer system, which is arranged between two mirrors forming an optical micro-cavity. The incoming light is multiply reflected between the mirrors, giving rise to an effective photon mass and a confining potential – key prerequisites for the Bose-Einstein condensation of photons. Thermalisation is achieved by the photon scattering off the dye molecules, resulting in a strong light concentration effect into the centre of the confining potential, where the potential energy is minimized. The spatial concentration is a consequence of the thermalisation of the trapped photon gas.

Commercial Opportunity

For many Laser applications, coherent but not necessarily monochromatic light is required. The strong light concentration effect of BEL and the generation of coherent light with high intensity offer opportunities for a range of applications. For these applications, BEL can be a efficient light source for coherent visible and UV light. In contrast to a Laser, where significant share of the energy is lost in heat, BEL allows the design of an efficient solid state “cold Laser”.

Status

Proof of principle has successfully been demonstrated both in a fluid and solid phase system. An international patent application has been filed. We are seeking a partner for further commercial development with the view to license the technology. 

Benefits

• Generation of coherent light with high intensity
• Design of an efficient solid state “cold Laser”
• High optical yield (ca. 50%)
• Substitution of Lasers in many high-tech applications envisaged
• Tunable 300-1000nm

About PROvendis GmbH

PROvendis offers companies certified and patented innovations from North Rhine-Westphalian universities. The core function of the enterprise is to market patentable and commercially exploitable inventions. PROvendis GmbH was founded in 2001 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Zenit GmbH, a management consultancy firm in cooperation with the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Since January of 2002, PROvendis has been the service provider for the universities of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Within the scope of the BMBF commercialization campaign, the Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) supports the activities of PROvendis.