39 research outputs found
A widely tunable 10-m quantum cascade laser phase-locked to a state-of-the-art mid-infrared reference for precision molecular spectroscopy
We report the coherent phase-locking of a quantum cascade laser (QCL) at
10-m to the secondary frequency standard of this spectral region, a CO2
laser stabilized on a saturated absorption line of OsO4. The stability and
accuracy of the standard are transferred to the QCL resulting in a line width
of the order of 10 Hz, and leading to our knowledge to the narrowest QCL to
date. The locked QCL is then used to perform absorption spectroscopy spanning 6
GHz of NH3 and methyltrioxorhenium, two species of interest for applications in
precision measurements.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure
Quantum cascade laser frequency stabilisation at the sub-Hz level
Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCL) are increasingly being used to probe the
mid-infrared "molecular fingerprint" region. This prompted efforts towards
improving their spectral performance, in order to reach ever-higher resolution
and precision. Here, we report the stabilisation of a QCL onto an optical
frequency comb. We demonstrate a relative stability and accuracy of 2x10-15 and
10-14, respectively. The comb is stabilised to a remote near-infrared
ultra-stable laser referenced to frequency primary standards, whose signal is
transferred via an optical fibre link. The stability and frequency traceability
of our QCL exceed those demonstrated so far by two orders of magnitude. As a
demonstration of its capability, we then use it to perform high-resolution
molecular spectroscopy. We measure absorption frequencies with an 8x10-13
relative uncertainty. This confirms the potential of this setup for ultra-high
precision measurements with molecules, such as our ongoing effort towards
testing the parity symmetry by probing chiral species
SI-referenced formic acid (HCOOH) spectroscopy at the sub ppt level
Vibrational spectroscopy of formic acid at 9.17 µm is performed using a SI-referenced CO2 laser spectrometer . The central frequency at zero power, zero pressure and zero modulation is determined at the 20 Hz level. Updated pressure broadening coefficient is obtained
Mid-IR frequency laser control with a comb for H
We will report our recent progress toward H2+ spectroscopy by use of a SI-referenced Mid-IR source laser. H2+ molecular ions are very interesting candidates to improve the determination of fundamental constants, such as the proton to electron mass ratio mp/me and search for new physics beyond the standard model. At LKB, an erbium fibered frequency comb is phase locked to the LNE-SYRTE frequency standards thanks to the T-REFIMEVE network. By sum frequency generation in a AgGaSe2 crystal between a CO2 laser and an output of the comb at 1895 nm, a shifted frequency comb centered at 1560 nm is generated. The latter is then mixed with the original one to generate a beatnote used to stabilise the Mid-IR laser. As a first application, a narrow saturated absorption line in formic acid has been extensively studied. Pressure, power and modulation depth shifts and broadenings have been evaluated, leading to a determination of its central frequency at a sub ppt (10-12) resolution, high enough for H2+ spectroscopy and fundamental constant determination
Spectral purity transfer between optical wavelengths at the 10^-18 level
International audienc
Spectral purity transfer between optical wavelengths at the 10^-18 level
International audienc
Characterization of an ultra-stable optical cavity developed in the industry for space applications
International audienc
Spectral purity transfer between optical wavelengths at the 10^-18 level
International audienc
First step in the industry-based development of an ultra-stable optical cavity for space applications
International audienc
First step in the industry-based development of an ultra-stable optical cavity for space applications
International audienc