This Review discusses the emerging field of mid-infrared frequency comb generation, including technologies based on novel laser gain media, nonlinear frequency conversion and microresonators, as well as the applications of these combs in precision spectroscopy and direct frequency comb spectroscopy. Laser frequency combs are coherent light sources that emit a broad spectrum of discrete, evenly spaced narrow lines whose absolute frequency can be measured to within the accuracy of an atomic clock. Their development in the near-infrared and visible domains has revolutionized frequency metrology while also providing numerous unexpected opportunities in other fields such as astronomy and attosecond science. Researchers are now exploring how to extend frequency comb techniques to the mid-infrared spectral region. Versatile mid-infrared frequency comb generators based on novel laser gain media, nonlinear frequency conversion or microresonators promise to significantly expand the applications of frequency combs. In particular, novel approaches to molecular spectroscopy in the 'fingerprint region', with dramatically improved precision, sensitivity, recording time and/or spectral bandwidth may lead to new discoveries in the various fields relevant to molecular science.

Mid-infrared frequency combs

Dual-comb spectroscopy is an emerging new spectroscopic tool that exploits the frequency resolution, frequency accuracy, broad bandwidth, and brightness of frequency combs for ultrahigh-resolution, high-sensitivity broadband spectroscopy. By using two coherent frequency combs, dual-comb spectroscopy allows a sample’s spectral response to be measured on a comb tooth-by-tooth basis rapidly and without the size constraints or instrument response limitations of conventional spectrometers. This review describes dual-comb spectroscopy and summarizes the current state of the art. As frequency comb technology progresses, dual-comb spectroscopy will continue to mature and could surpass conventional broadband spectroscopy for a wide range of laboratory and field applications.

Dual-comb spectroscopy

We present a polarization-sensitive optical coherence-domain reflectometer capable of characterizing the phase retardation between orthogonal linear polarization modes at each reflection point in a birefringent sample. The device is insensitive to the rotation of the sample in the plane perpendicular to ranging. Phase measurement accuracy is ±0.86°, but the reflectometer can distinguish local variations in birefringence as small as 0.05° with a distance resolution of 10.8 μm and a dynamic range of 90 dB. Birefringence-sensitive ranging in a wave plate, an electro-optic modulator, and a calf coronary artery is demonstrated.

Polarization-sensitive low-coherence reflectometer for birefringence characterization and ranging

A laser frequency comb is a broad spectrum composed of equidistant narrow lines. Initially invented for frequency metrology, such combs enable new approaches to spectroscopy over broad spectral bandwidths, of particular relevance to molecules. The performance of existing spectrometers — such as crossed dispersers employing, for example, virtual imaging phase array etalons, or Michelson-based Fourier transform interferometers — can be dramatically enhanced with optical frequency combs. A new class of instruments, such as dual-comb spectrometers without moving parts, enables fast and accurate measurements over broad spectral ranges. The direct self-calibration of the frequency scale of the spectra within the accuracy of an atomic clock and the negligible contribution of the instrumental line-shape will enable determinations of all spectral parameters with high accuracy for stringent comparisons with theories in atomic and molecular physics. Chip-scale frequency comb spectrometers promise integrated devices for real-time sensing in analytical chemistry and biomedicine. This Review gives a summary of the developments in the emerging and rapidly advancing field of atomic and molecular broadband spectroscopy with frequency combs. Frequency comb spectroscopy is a recent field of research that has blossomed in the past five years. This Review discusses developments in the emerging and rapidly advancing field of atomic and molecular broadband spectroscopy with frequency combs.

Frequency comb spectroscopy

Terahertz fields and applications

A novel optical coherence tomography system without any moving parts for depth scanning was proposed and demonstrated. It was accomplished using two optical frequency comb generators, as broad-band spectrum generators, instead of moving parts for depth scanning. A high scanning speed of more than 12.5 km/s and also a high repetition rate of 500 kHz were achieved in a long scan range of 25 mm. The resolution was about 100 µm.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1143/JJAP.40.L878/pdf

Ultrahigh Scanning Speed Optical Coherence Tomography Using Optical Frequency Comb Generators

Absolute frequency measurement of the saturated absorption lines of methane in the 1.66 μm region

A span up to 50 THz of optical frequency comb (OFC) has been obtained by self-phase modulation in an optical fiber. The coherent nature of the process was verified by heterodyne-detecting the sidebands offset by up to 12 THz from the carrier. The signal-to noise ratio (SNR) of the beat signal between a sideband at 12 THz offset and another single-mode laser was 32 dB in a 1-MHz bandwidth. Although the linewidth of each beat signal was maintained within a few megahertz, phase noise pedestal power increased with the offset frequency.

12-THz frequency difference measurements and noise analysis of an optical frequency comb in optical fibers

In order to increase the signal-to-noise ratio in the measurement of frequency-difference between two lasers by using an optical frequency comb generator (OFC-G), two laser beams were combined into the OFC-G. Then many sidebands that contribute to the beat signal generation were generated. We observed the spectrum of the beat signal with a signal-to-noise ratio of 30 dB when the frequency-difference between two lasers was 3.17 THz.

3.17-THz frequency-difference measurement between lasers using two optical frequency combs

For high-precision frequency-based applications of lasers, the frequency difference between two independent lasers is accurately stabilized and maintained. We describe a simple and novel feed-forward method with an acousto-optic modulator. This method can be used in optical phase-locked loops.

Bambang Widiyatmoko

Papers

Ultrahigh Scanning Speed Optical Coherence Tomography Using Optical Frequency Comb Generators

Absolute frequency measurement of the saturated absorption lines of methane in the 1.66 μm region

12-THz frequency difference measurements and noise analysis of an optical frequency comb in optical fibers

3.17-THz frequency-difference measurement between lasers using two optical frequency combs

Accurate relative frequency cancellation between two independent lasers