Infrared laser frequency combs for multispecies gas detection

M. Vainio*, V. Ulvila, L. Halonen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference article in proceedingsScientificpeer-review

Abstract

We discuss two methods for mid-infrared frequency comb generation in quadratic nonlinear materials. The first one of these methods is based on halfharmonic generation in a degenerate femtosecond optical parametric oscillator, which is synchronously pumped with a near-infrared laser frequency comb. The second method uses a continuous-wave-pumped optical parametric oscillator. In this approach, the quadratic nonlinearity is used not only for frequency down conversion, but also for the actual frequency comb generation from a continuouswave pump laser field. Both methods can be used to produce coherent broadband mid-infrared light that is ideal for real-time spectroscopic detection of small traces of biomarkers, toxics, and other interesting molecular compounds. In particular, these methods provide access to the 3-5 μm molecular fingerprint region, which contains strong fundamental vibrational stretching bands of hydrocarbons.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationTHz for CBRN and Explosives Detection and Diagnosis
EditorsMauro F. Pereira, Oleksiy Shulika
PublisherSpringer
Pages151-158
VolumePartF1
ISBN (Electronic)978-94-024-1093-8
ISBN (Print)978-94-024-1092-1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2017
MoE publication typeA4 Article in a conference publication
EventNATO Advanced Research Workshop on THz for CBRN and Explosives Detection and Diagnosis - Çeşme, Turkey
Duration: 3 Nov 20155 Nov 2015

Publication series

SeriesNATO Science for Peace and Security Series B: Physics and Biophysics
ISSN1874-6500

Conference

ConferenceNATO Advanced Research Workshop on THz for CBRN and Explosives Detection and Diagnosis
Country/TerritoryTurkey
CityÇeşme
Period3/11/155/11/15

Keywords

  • Infrared spectroscopy
  • Laser frequency comb
  • Nonlinear optics
  • Optical frequency comb
  • Optical parametric oscillator

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