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Marschick G, Pelini J, Gabbrielli T, Cappelli F, Weih R, Knötig H, Koeth J, Höfling S, De Natale P, Strasser G, Borri S, Hinkov B. Mid-infrared Ring Interband Cascade Laser: Operation at the Standard Quantum Limit. ACS PHOTONICS 2024; 11:395-403. [PMID: 38405392 PMCID: PMC10885206 DOI: 10.1021/acsphotonics.3c01159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Many precision applications in the mid-infrared spectral range have strong constraints based on quantum effects that are expressed in particular noise characteristics. They limit, e.g., sensitivity and resolution of mid-infrared imaging and spectroscopic systems as well as the bit-error rate in optical free-space communication. Interband cascade lasers (ICLs) are a class of mid-infrared lasers exploiting interband transitions in type-II band alignment geometry. They are currently gaining significant importance for mid-infrared applications from < 3 to > 6 μm wavelength, enabled by novel types of high-performance ICLs such as ring-cavity devices. Their noise behavior is an important feature that still needs to be thoroughly analyzed, including its potential reduction with respect to the shot-noise limit. In this work, we provide a comprehensive characterization of λ = 3.8 μm-emitting, continuous-wave ring ICLs operating at room temperature. It is based on an in-depth study of their main physical intensity noise features such as their bias-dependent intensity noise power spectral density and relative intensity noise. We obtained shot-noise-limited statistics for Fourier frequencies above 100 kHz. This is an important result for precision applications, e.g., interferometry or advanced spectroscopy, which benefit from exploiting the advantage of using such a shot-noise-limited source, enhancing the setup sensitivity. Moreover, it is an important feature for novel quantum optics schemes, including testing specific light states below the shot-noise level, such as squeezed states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Marschick
- TU
Wien—Institute of Solid State Electronics & Center for
Micro- and Nanostructures, Gußhausstraße 25-25a, Vienna 1040, Austria
| | - Jacopo Pelini
- University
of Naples Federico II, Corso Umberto I 40, Napoli 80138, Italy
- CNR-INO—Istituto
Nazionale di Ottica, Largo Fermi, 6, Firenze, FI 50125, Italy
| | - Tecla Gabbrielli
- CNR-INO—Istituto
Nazionale di Ottica, Via Carrara, 1, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence 50019, Italy
- LENS—European
Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy, Via Carrara, 1, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence 50019, Italy
| | - Francesco Cappelli
- CNR-INO—Istituto
Nazionale di Ottica, Via Carrara, 1, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence 50019, Italy
- LENS—European
Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy, Via Carrara, 1, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence 50019, Italy
| | - Robert Weih
- nanoplus
Nanosystems and Technologies GmbH, Oberer Kirschberg 4, Gerbrunn 97218, Germany
| | - Hedwig Knötig
- TU
Wien—Institute of Solid State Electronics & Center for
Micro- and Nanostructures, Gußhausstraße 25-25a, Vienna 1040, Austria
| | - Johannes Koeth
- nanoplus
Nanosystems and Technologies GmbH, Oberer Kirschberg 4, Gerbrunn 97218, Germany
| | - Sven Höfling
- Julius-Maximilians-Universität
Würzburg—Physikalisches Institut, Lehrstuhl für Technische Physik, Am Hubland, Würzburg 97074, Germany
| | - Paolo De Natale
- CNR-INO—Istituto
Nazionale di Ottica, Largo Fermi, 6, Firenze, FI 50125, Italy
- CNR-INO—Istituto
Nazionale di Ottica, Via Carrara, 1, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence 50019, Italy
- LENS—European
Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy, Via Carrara, 1, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence 50019, Italy
- INFN—Istituto
Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Via Sansone, 1, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence 50019, Italy
| | - Gottfried Strasser
- TU
Wien—Institute of Solid State Electronics & Center for
Micro- and Nanostructures, Gußhausstraße 25-25a, Vienna 1040, Austria
| | - Simone Borri
- CNR-INO—Istituto
Nazionale di Ottica, Via Carrara, 1, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence 50019, Italy
- LENS—European
Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy, Via Carrara, 1, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence 50019, Italy
- INFN—Istituto
Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Via Sansone, 1, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence 50019, Italy
| | - Borislav Hinkov
- TU
Wien—Institute of Solid State Electronics & Center for
Micro- and Nanostructures, Gußhausstraße 25-25a, Vienna 1040, Austria
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Zhu G, Li X, Yin X, Muhammad S, Xu C, Zhang C, Ma C, Liu J. Mid-infrared pulsed Er:ZBLAN fiber laser producing mode-switchable cylindrical vector beams. OPTICS EXPRESS 2023; 31:40781-40791. [PMID: 38041370 DOI: 10.1364/oe.505263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate the generation of both continuous-wave (CW) and Q-switched cylindrical vector beams (CVBs) from a mid-infrared Er3+-doped ZBLAN (Er:ZBLAN) fiber laser at ∼ 2.8 µm. A customized S-waveplate is incorporated as the intracavity mode converter to achieve the mid-infrared CVBs. Switchable modes of CVBs between the radially and azimuthally polarized beam can be realized easily by manipulating the cavity conditions. A maximum output power of ∼250 mW is achieved for the CW CVBs. In the short-pulsed CVBs operation regime, both the active and passive Q-switching modes are realized with a pulse duration of hundreds of nanoseconds. The proposed mid-infrared cylindrical vector lasers can have significant potential for applications in biomedicine, optical trapping, material processing and optical communication.
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Gabbrielli T, Insero G, De Regis M, Corrias N, Galli I, Mazzotti D, Bartolini P, Hyun Huh J, Cleff C, Kastner A, Holzwarth R, Borri S, Consolino L, De Natale P, Cappelli F. Time/frequency-domain characterization of a mid-IR DFG frequency comb via two-photon and heterodyne detection. OPTICS EXPRESS 2023; 31:35330-35342. [PMID: 37859267 DOI: 10.1364/oe.493321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Mid-infrared frequency combs are nowadays well-appreciated sources for spectroscopy and frequency metrology. Here, a comprehensive approach for characterizing a difference-frequency-generated mid-infrared frequency comb (DFG-comb) both in the time and in the frequency domain is presented. An autocorrelation scheme exploiting mid-infrared two-photon detection is used for characterizing the pulse width and to verify the optimal compression of the generated pulses reaching a pulse duration (FWHM) as low as 196 fs. A second scheme based on mid-infrared heterodyne detection employing two independent narrow-linewidth quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) is used for frequency-narrowing the modes of the DFG-comb down to 9.4 kHz on a 5-ms timescale.
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Cavity-Enhanced Frequency Comb Vernier Spectroscopy. PHOTONICS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/photonics9040222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Vernier spectroscopy is a frequency comb-based technique employing optical cavities for filtering of the comb and for enhancement of the interaction length with the sample. Depending on the ratio of the cavity free spectral range and the comb repetition rate, the cavity transmits either widely spaced individual comb lines (comb-resolved Vernier spectroscopy) or groups of comb lines, called Vernier orders (continuous-filtering Vernier spectroscopy, CF-VS). The cavity filtering enables the use of low-resolution spectrometers to resolve the individual comb lines or Vernier orders. Vernier spectroscopy has been implemented using various near- and mid-infrared comb sources for applications ranging from trace gas detection to precision spectroscopy. Here, we present the principles of the technique and provide a review of previous demonstrations of comb-resolved and continuous-filtering Vernier spectroscopy. We also demonstrate two new implementations of CF-VS: one in the mid-infrared, based on a difference frequency generation comb source, with a new and more robust detection system design, and the other in the near-infrared, based on a Ti:sapphire laser, reaching high sensitivity and the fundamental resolution limit of the technique.
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Gabbrielli T, Cappelli F, Bruno N, Corrias N, Borri S, De Natale P, Zavatta A. Mid-infrared homodyne balanced detector for quantum light characterization. OPTICS EXPRESS 2021; 29:14536-14547. [PMID: 33985175 DOI: 10.1364/oe.420990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
We present the characterization of a novel balanced homodyne detector operating in the mid-infrared. The challenging task of revealing non-classicality in mid-infrared light, e. g. in quantum cascade lasers emission, requires a high-performance detection system. Through the intensity noise power spectral density analysis of the differential signal coming from the incident radiation, we show that our setup is shot-noise limited. We discuss the experimental results with a view to possible applications to quantum technologies, such as free-space quantum communication.
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Yoon Y, Breshike CJ, Kendziora CA, Furstenberg R, Andrew McGill R. Simultaneous real-time spectroscopy using a broadband IR laser source. OPTICS EXPRESS 2021; 29:8902-8913. [PMID: 33820331 DOI: 10.1364/oe.419262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we have developed a simultaneous grating spectroscopy using a broadband IR laser source capable of detecting moving targets in real time. The broadband IR laser source operated in pulsed mode provides a broad spectral range, which covers absorption bands of many chemical analytes. The laser operating conditions were optimized to cover the broadest wavelength range spanning spectral features for the analytes of interest, based on a detailed understanding of the broadband source. This measured the signal from two samples, a 1% acetaminophen KBr pellet sample and toluene in a gas cell. These samples were characterized by illuminating them with the IR broadband source and collecting the transmitted or reflected signal through a grating spectrometer and onto an IR focal plane array (FPA). The results clearly show discrete peaks comparable to the FTIR reference spectra and the spectral features of the samples were successfully discriminated. We believe that the proof of concepts presented here are of broad applicability and will aid advanced real-time standoff detection research.
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Abbas MA, Pan Q, Mandon J, Cristescu SM, Harren FJM, Khodabakhsh A. Time-resolved mid-infrared dual-comb spectroscopy. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17247. [PMID: 31754263 PMCID: PMC6872568 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53825-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dual-comb spectroscopy can provide broad spectral bandwidth and high spectral resolution in a short acquisition time, enabling time-resolved measurements. Specifically, spectroscopy in the mid-infrared wavelength range is of particular interest, since most of the molecules have their strongest rotational-vibrational transitions in this "fingerprint" region. Here we report time-resolved mid-infrared dual-comb spectroscopy, covering ~300 nm bandwidth around 3.3 μm with 6 GHz spectral resolution and 20 μs temporal resolution. As a demonstration, we study a CH4/He gas mixture in an electric discharge, while the discharge is modulated between dark and glow regimes. We simultaneously monitor the production of C2H6 and the vibrational excitation of CH4 molecules, observing the dynamics of both processes. This approach to broadband, high-resolution, and time-resolved mid-infrared spectroscopy provides a new tool for monitoring the kinetics of fast chemical reactions, with potential applications in various fields such as physical chemistry and plasma/combustion analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad A Abbas
- Trace Gas Research Group, Department of Molecular and Laser Physics, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Qing Pan
- Trace Gas Research Group, Department of Molecular and Laser Physics, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Julien Mandon
- Trace Gas Research Group, Department of Molecular and Laser Physics, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Simona M Cristescu
- Trace Gas Research Group, Department of Molecular and Laser Physics, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Frans J M Harren
- Trace Gas Research Group, Department of Molecular and Laser Physics, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Amir Khodabakhsh
- Trace Gas Research Group, Department of Molecular and Laser Physics, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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8
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Yoon Y, Kendziora CA, Furstenberg R, Breshike CJ, Jeon S, Balow RB, McGill RA. Time resolved characterization of Fabry-Perot quantum cascade lasers for use in a broadband "white light" source. OPTICS EXPRESS 2019; 27:32609-32620. [PMID: 31684469 DOI: 10.1364/oe.27.032609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
We report the time resolved characterization of Fabry-Perot quantum cascade lasers (FP-QCLs). We are developing a custom-built broadband laser source in the Mid-LWIR range by combining several high power FP-QCLs for a single snap shot application. This white light source would enable not only stand-off detection applications in a single snapshot but also new data collection modalities such as live, real-time chemical imaging, requiring extremely rapid measurements. In this study, the two FP-QCLs were operated in CW and pulsed modes with varying applied currents and diode temperatures to optimize the best laser operation condition to cover a broad spectral range including spectral features for the analytes of interest. To understand mode behavior of the FP-QCLs in a short period of time, the spectral output for each test condition was temporally resolved. Under most of the conditions, FP mode hopping was observed during the time evolution through the pulse length (3000 ns). Based on the time-resolved spectra, the ideal spectral characteristics for a single snap shot application are discussed, with respect to a broad spectral bandwidth, a flat-top power profile, and high spectral power density.
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Iwakuni K, Porat G, Bui TQ, Bjork BJ, Schoun SB, Heckl OH, Fermann ME, Ye J. Phase-stabilized 100 mW frequency comb near 10 μm. APPLIED PHYSICS. B, LASERS AND OPTICS 2018; 124:128. [PMID: 30996528 PMCID: PMC6435022 DOI: 10.1007/s00340-018-6996-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Long-wavelength mid-infrared (MIR) frequency combs with high power and flexible tunability are highly desired for molecular spectroscopy, including investigation of large molecules such as C60. We present a high power, phase-stabilized frequency comb near 10 μm, generated by a synchronously pumped, singly resonant optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on AgGaSe2. The OPO can be continuously tuned from 8.4 to 9.5 μm, with a maximum average idler power of 100 mW at the center wavelength of 8.5 μm. Both the repetition rate (f rep) and the carrier-envelope offset frequency (f ceo) of the idler wave are phase-locked to microwave signals referenced to a Cs clock. We describe the detailed design and construction of the frequency comb, and discuss potential applications for precise and sensitive direct frequency comb spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kana Iwakuni
- Department of Physics, JILA, National Institute of Standards and Technology and University of Colorado, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309 USA
| | - Gil Porat
- Department of Physics, JILA, National Institute of Standards and Technology and University of Colorado, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309 USA
| | - Thinh Q. Bui
- Department of Physics, JILA, National Institute of Standards and Technology and University of Colorado, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309 USA
| | - Bryce J. Bjork
- Department of Physics, JILA, National Institute of Standards and Technology and University of Colorado, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309 USA
- Present Address: Honeywell International, 303 Technology Court, Broomfield, CO 80021 USA
| | - Stephen B. Schoun
- Department of Physics, JILA, National Institute of Standards and Technology and University of Colorado, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309 USA
| | - Oliver H. Heckl
- Department of Physics, JILA, National Institute of Standards and Technology and University of Colorado, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309 USA
- Present Address: Christian Doppler Laboratory for Mid-IR Spectroscopy and Semiconductor Optics, University of Vienna, Boltzmanngasse 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Jun Ye
- Department of Physics, JILA, National Institute of Standards and Technology and University of Colorado, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309 USA
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Yan M, Luo PL, Iwakuni K, Millot G, Hänsch TW, Picqué N. Mid-infrared dual-comb spectroscopy with electro-optic modulators. LIGHT, SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS 2017; 6:e17076. [PMID: 30167208 PMCID: PMC6061907 DOI: 10.1038/lsa.2017.76] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Revised: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/30/2017] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Absorption spectroscopy of fundamental ro-vibrational transitions in the mid-infrared region provides a powerful tool for studying the structure and dynamics of molecules in the gas phase and for sensitive and quantitative gas sensing. Laser frequency combs permit novel approaches to perform broadband molecular spectroscopy. Multiplex dual-comb spectroscopy without moving parts can achieve particularly high speed, sensitivity and resolution. However, achieving Doppler-limited resolution in the mid-infrared still requires overcoming instrumental challenges. Here we demonstrate a new approach based on difference-frequency generation of frequency-agile near-infrared frequency combs that are produced using electro-optic modulators. The combs have a remarkably flat intensity distribution, and their positions and line spacings can be freely selected by simply dialing a knob. Using the proposed technique, we record, in the 3-μm region, Doppler-limited absorption spectra with resolved comb lines within milliseconds, and precise molecular line parameters are retrieved. Our technique holds promise for fast and sensitive time-resolved studies of, for example, trace gases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yan
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, 85748 Garching, Germany
- Fakultät für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80799 München, Germany
| | - Pei-Ling Luo
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, 85748 Garching, Germany
- Fakultät für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80799 München, Germany
| | - Kana Iwakuni
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, 85748 Garching, Germany
- Fakultät für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80799 München, Germany
| | - Guy Millot
- Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire Carnot de Bourgogne, UMR 6303 CNRS – Univ. Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-21078 Dijon, France
| | - Theodor W Hänsch
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, 85748 Garching, Germany
- Fakultät für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80799 München, Germany
| | - Nathalie Picqué
- Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, 85748 Garching, Germany
- Fakultät für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80799 München, Germany
- Institut des Sciences Moléculaires d’Orsay (ISMO), CNRS, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, F-91405 Orsay, France
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Karhu J, Vainio M, Metsälä M, Halonen L. Frequency comb assisted two-photon vibrational spectroscopy. OPTICS EXPRESS 2017; 25:4688-4699. [PMID: 28380740 DOI: 10.1364/oe.25.004688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We report a setup for high-resolution two-photon spectroscopy using a mid-infrared continuous wave optical parametric oscillator (CW-OPO) and a near-infrared diode laser as the excitation sources, both of which are locked to fully stabilized optical frequency combs. The diode laser is directly locked to a commercial near-infrared optical frequency comb using an optical phase-locked loop. The near-infrared frequency comb is also used to synchronously pump a degenerate femtosecond optical parametric oscillator to produce a fully stabilized mid-infrared frequency comb. The beat frequency between the mid-infrared comb and the CW-OPO is then stabilized through frequency locking. We used the setup to measure a double resonant two-photon transition to a symmetric vibrational state of acetylene with a sub-Doppler resolution and high signal-to-noise ratio.
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Khodabakhsh A, Ramaiah-Badarla V, Rutkowski L, Johansson AC, Lee KF, Jiang J, Mohr C, Fermann ME, Foltynowicz A. Fourier transform and Vernier spectroscopy using an optical frequency comb at 3-5.4 μm. OPTICS LETTERS 2016; 41:2541-2544. [PMID: 27244409 DOI: 10.1364/ol.41.002541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
We present a versatile mid-infrared frequency comb spectroscopy system based on a doubly resonant optical parametric oscillator tunable in the 3-5.4 μm range and two detection methods: a Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) and a continuous-filtering Vernier spectrometer (CF-VS). Using the FTS with a multipass cell, we measure high precision broadband absorption spectra of CH4 at 3.3 μm and NO at 5.25 μm, the latter for the first time with comb spectroscopy, and we detect atmospheric species (CH4, CO, CO2, and H2O) in air in the signal and idler ranges. Multiline fitting yields minimum detectable concentrations of 10-20 ppb Hz-1/2 for CH4, NO, and CO. For the first time in the mid-infrared, we perform CF-VS using an enhancement cavity, a grating, and a single detector, and we measure the absorption spectrum of CH4 and H2O in ambient air at ∼3.3 μm, reaching a 40 ppb concentration detection limit for CH4 in 2 ms.
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Gambetta A, Cassinerio M, Coluccelli N, Fasci E, Castrillo A, Gianfrani L, Gatti D, Marangoni M, Laporta P, Galzerano G. Direct phase-locking of a 8.6-μm quantum cascade laser to a mid-IR optical frequency comb: application to precision spectroscopy of N2O. OPTICS LETTERS 2015; 40:304-307. [PMID: 25680033 DOI: 10.1364/ol.40.000304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
We developed a high-precision spectroscopic system at 8.6 μm based on direct heterodyne detection and phase-locking of a room-temperature quantum-cascade-laser against an harmonic, 250-MHz mid-IR frequency comb obtained by difference-frequency generation. The ∼30 dB signal-to-noise ratio of the detected beat-note together with the achieved closed-loop locking bandwidth of ∼500 kHz allows for a residual integrated phase noise of 0.78 rad (1 Hz-5 MHz), for an ultimate resolution of ∼21 kHz, limited by the measured linewidth of the mid-IR comb. The system was used to perform absolute measurement of line-center frequencies for the rotational components of the ν2 vibrational band of N2O, with a relative precision of 3×10(-10).
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