Broadband high-resolution molecular spectroscopy with interleaved mid-infrared frequency combs

Abstract

Traditionally, there has been a trade-off in spectroscopic measurements between high resolution, broadband coverage, and acquisition time. Originally envisioned for precision spectroscopy of the hydrogen atom in the ultraviolet, optical frequency combs are now commonly used for probing molecular ro-vibrational transitions throughout broad spectral bands in the mid-infrared providing superior resolution, speed, and the capability of referencing to the primary frequency standards. Here we demonstrate the acquisition of 2.5 million spectral data points over the continuous wavelength range of 3.17–5.13 µm (frequency span 1200 cm ⁻¹, sampling point spacing 13–21 MHz), via interleaving comb-tooth-resolved spectra acquired with a highly-coherent broadband dual-frequency-comb system based on optical subharmonic generation. With the original comb-line spacing of 115 MHz, overlaying eight spectra with gradually shifted comb lines we fully resolve the amplitude and phase spectra of molecules with narrow Doppler lines, such as carbon disulfide (CS ₂) and its three isotopologues.