Quantum Cascade Laser Based Hybrid Dual Comb Spectrometer
Abstract
Four-wave-mixing-based quantum cascade laser frequency combs (QCL-FC) are a powerful photonic tool, driving a recent revolution in major molecular fingerprint regions, i.e. mid- and far-infrared domains. Their compact and frequency-agile design, together with their high optical power and spectral purity, promise to deliver an all-in-one source for the most challenging spectroscopic applications. Here, we demonstrate a metrological-grade hybrid dual comb spectrometer, combining the advantages of a THz QCL-FC with the accuracy and absolute frequency referencing provided by a free-standing, optically-rectified THz frequency comb. A proof-of-principle application to methanol molecular transitions is presented. The multi-heterodyne molecular spectra retrieved provide state-of-the-art results in line-center determination, achieving the same precision as currently available molecular databases. The devised setup provides a solid platform for a new generation of THz spectrometers, paving the way to more refined and sophisticated systems exploiting full phase control of QCL-FCs, or Doppler-free spectroscopic schemes.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2004.04061,
title = {Quantum Cascade Laser Based Hybrid Dual Comb Spectrometer},
author = {Luigi Consolino and Malik Nafa and Michele De Regis and Francesco Cappelli and Katia Garrasi and Francesco P. Mezzapesa and Lianhe Li and A. Giles Davies and Edmund H. Linfield and Miriam S. Vitiello and Saverio Bartalini and Paolo De Natale},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2004.04061},
year = {2020}
}