Faculty of Science, University of Sarajevo – Project LUCID – Light UpConversion for ultrafast imaging of Infrared Dynamics
We are pleased to announce that the Ministry of Science, Higher Education, and Youth of the Sarajevo Canton has approved the scientific research project titled LUCID – Light UpConversion for ultrafast imaging of Infrared Dynamics, under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Benjamin Fetić. Project participants include Senior Assistant Senad Isaković, students from the Department of Physics, and Dr. Emir Karamehmedović as an external collaborator. The project value is 60,000 BAM.
This project focuses on developing new technology for ultrafast imaging in the mid-infrared spectral range. It will enable the development of an innovative system that uses nonlinear optics methods to convert infrared light—invisible to standard cameras—into visible light that can be detected by commercial high-speed, high-sensitivity cameras.
The mid-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum contains extremely valuable information about numerous physical, chemical, and biological processes. However, existing infrared cameras are often expensive, have limited imaging speeds, and require complex cooling systems. The new approach to be explored and developed within this project represents a different strategy: instead of improving infrared detectors, the infrared image will be transferred to the visible range via nonlinear optical conversion, where extremely fast, sensitive, and cost-effective silicon detectors are available.
The developed system is expected to enable significantly higher imaging speeds and sensitivity compared to existing non-cryogenic infrared cameras, at a much lower cost. Additionally, thanks to the spectral selectivity of nonlinear conversion, the system will be able to isolate desired infrared wavelengths without the need for additional optical filters.
The project results could open new possibilities for researching fast processes that have previously been difficult to access via experimental methods, including combustion, laser material processing, chemical reactions, and other dynamic phenomena. Simultaneously, the developed technology is expected to have potential applications in industry, biomedicine, security systems, spectroscopy, and advanced optical instruments.
The project will contribute to strengthening the research capacities of our institutions, developing new international collaborations, and educating young researchers in the fields of photonics and nonlinear optics. Its implementation represents an important step toward developing innovative optical technologies and strengthening scientific excellence in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
