Mid-infrared dual-comb spectroscopy via continuous-wave optical parametric oscillation
Journal Article
Overview
abstract
Dual-comb spectroscopy has demonstrated remarkable capabilities for rapid and sensitive measurements; however, challenges still exist in generating high-power, mutually coherent mid-infrared combs. Here, we demonstrate that a pair of mode-locked near-infrared frequency combs can be spectrally translated via a continuous-wave optical parametric oscillator. The pair of spectrally translated combs exhibited high mutual coherence, powers per comb tooth in excess of hundreds of microwatts, and were tunable between 4 and 5 μm. Here, we employed this spectrometer to record atmospheric carbon dioxide spectra over an open path. The flexible nature of this approach provides a robust path for the spectral translation of mode-locked combs, achieving spectral bandwidths limited only by the phase matching bandwidth of the optical parametric oscillator. Furthermore, it holds significant promise for applications in chemical kinetics, remote sensing, combustion science, and precision spectroscopy, where the combination of high powers, broad bandwidths, high resolution, and high measurement rates are enabling.
