Frequency-Comb-Assisted Terahertz Quantum Cascade Laser Spectroscopy

We report a metrological-grade THz spectroscopy based on the combination of a THz frequency-comb synthesizer (FCS) and a THz quantum cascade laser (QCL). The QCL, emitting at 2.5 THz, is phase locked to the free-space THz FCS, and its frequency is swept across a methanol transition by tuning the com...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPhysical review. X Vol. 4; no. 2; p. 021006
Main Authors Bartalini, S., Consolino, L., Cancio, P., De Natale, P., Bartolini, P., Taschin, A., De Pas, M., Beere, H., Ritchie, D., Vitiello, M. S., Torre, R.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published College Park American Physical Society 01.04.2014
Subjects
Astronomy
Atomic clocks
Cesium
Emission analysis
Frequency standards
Gas sensors
Infrared lasers
Lasers
Methanol
Metrology
Quantum cascade lasers
Quantum wells
Repetition
Rotational states
Semiconductor lasers
Short pulses
Spectroscopy
Spectrum analysis
Terahertz frequencies
Uncertainty
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Summary:We report a metrological-grade THz spectroscopy based on the combination of a THz frequency-comb synthesizer (FCS) and a THz quantum cascade laser (QCL). The QCL, emitting at 2.5 THz, is phase locked to the free-space THz FCS, and its frequency is swept across a methanol transition by tuning the comb-repetition rate, which is ultimately disciplined by the Cs primary frequency standard. The absolute frequency scale provides an uncertainty of a few parts in 10−11 on the laser frequency and 10−9 on the line-center determination, ranking this technique among the most precise ever developed in the THz range.
ISSN:2160-3308
2160-3308
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevX.4.021006