More Like this

1. Broadband 1-GHz mid-infrared frequency comb

   https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-022-00947-w  

   Hoghooghi, Nazanin; Xing, Sida; Chang, Peter; Lesko, Daniel; Lind, Alexander; Rieker, Greg; Diddams, Scott (September 2022, Light: Science & Applications)

   Abstract Mid-infrared (MIR) spectrometers are invaluable tools for molecular fingerprinting and hyper-spectral imaging. Among the available spectroscopic approaches, GHz MIR dual-comb absorption spectrometers have the potential to simultaneously combine the high-speed, high spectral resolution, and broad optical bandwidth needed to accurately study complex, transient events in chemistry, combustion, and microscopy. However, such a spectrometer has not yet been demonstrated due to the lack of GHz MIR frequency combs with broad and full spectral coverage. Here, we introduce the first broadband MIR frequency comb laser platform at 1 GHz repetition rate that achieves spectral coverage from 3 to 13 µm. This frequency comb is based on a commercially available 1.56 µm mode-locked laser, robust all-fiber Er amplifiers and intra-pulse difference frequency generation (IP-DFG) of few-cycle pulses inχ⁽²⁾nonlinear crystals. When used in a dual comb spectroscopy (DCS) configuration, this source will simultaneously enable measurements with μs time resolution, 1 GHz (0.03 cm⁻¹) spectral point spacing and a full bandwidth of >5 THz (>166 cm⁻¹) anywhere within the MIR atmospheric windows. This represents a unique spectroscopic resource for characterizing fast and non-repetitive events that are currently inaccessible with other sources. 

   more » « less
2. RF Injection Locking of THz Metasurface Quantum‐Cascade VECSEL

   https://doi.org/10.1002/lpor.202300007  

   Wu, Yu; Curwen, Christopher A.; Shahili, Mohammad; Reno, John L.; Williams, Benjamin S. (March 2023, Laser & Photonics Reviews)

   Abstract Radiofrequency (RF) injection locking and spectral broadening of a terahertz (THz) quantum‐cascade vertical‐external‐cavity surface‐emitting laser (QC‐VECSEL) is demonstrated. An intracryostat VECSEL focusing cavity design is used to enable continuous‐wave lasing with a cavity length over 30 mm, which corresponds to a round‐trip frequency near 5 GHz. Strong RF current modulation is injected to the QC‐metasurface electrical bias to pull and lock the round‐trip frequency. The injection locking range at various RF injection powers is recorded and compared with the injection locking theory. Moreover, the lasing spectrum broadens from 14 GHz in free‐running mode to a maximum spectral width around 110 GHz with 20 dBm of injected RF power. This experimental setup is suitable for further exploration of active mode‐locking and picosecond pulse generation in THz QC‐VECSELs. 

   more » « less
3. COMAP Early Science. VI. A First Look at the COMAP Galactic Plane Survey

   https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ac63c8  

   Rennie, Thomas J.; Harper, Stuart E.; Dickinson, Clive; Philip, Liju; Cleary, Kieran A.; Bond, Richard J.; Borowska, Jowita; Breysse, Patrick C.; Catha, Morgan; Cepeda-Arroita, Roke; et al (July 2022, The Astrophysical Journal)

   Abstract We present early results from the CO Mapping Array Project (COMAP) Galactic Plane Survey conducted between 2019 June and 2021 April, spanning 20° <ℓ< 40° in Galactic longitude and ∣b∣ < 1.°5 in Galactic latitude with an angular resolution of 4.′5. We present initial results from the first part of the survey, including the diffuse emission and spectral energy distributions of Hiiregions and supernova remnants (SNRs). Using low- and high-frequency surveys to constrain free–free and thermal dust emission contributions, we find evidence of excess flux density at 30 GHz in six regions, which we interpret as anomalous microwave emission. Furthermore we model ultracompact Hiicontributions using data from the 5 GHz CORNISH catalog and reject these as the cause of the 30 GHz excess. Six known SNRs are detected at 30 GHz, and we measure spectral indices consistent with the literature or show evidence of steepening. The flux density of the SNR W44 at 30 GHz is consistent with a power-law extrapolation from lower frequencies with no indication of spectral steepening in contrast with recent results from the Sardinia Radio Telescope. We also extract five hydrogen radio recombination lines (RRLs) to map the warm ionized gas, which can be used to estimate electron temperatures or to constrain continuum free–free emission. The full COMAP Galactic Plane Survey, to be released in 2023/2024, will spanℓ∼ 20°–220° and will be the first large-scale radio continuum and RRL survey at 30 GHz with 4.′5 resolution. 

   more » « less
4. Shaping of Time-Resolved Biphoton Correlations with a Microresonator-Based Spectral Shaper

   https://doi.org/10.1364/CLEO_FS.2024.FTu4F.4  

   Cohen, Lucas M; Wu, Kaiyi; Myilswamy, Karthik V; Lingaraju, Navin B; Lu, Hsuan-Hao; Lukens, Joseph M; Weiner, Andrew M (January 2024, Optica Publishing Group)

   We report on the manipulation of the time-resolved biphoton correlation function using a sub-GHz resolution silicon nitride microresonator-based spectral shaper capa-ble of programmable amplitude and phase modulation. 

   more » « less
5. 1-GHz mid-infrared frequency comb spanning 3 to 13 μm

   https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2201.07134  

   Hoghooghi, N.; Xing, S.; Chang, P.; Lesko, D.; Lind, A.; Rieker, G.; Diddams, S (July 2022, ArXivorg)

   Mid-infrared (MIR) spectrometers are invaluable tools for molecular fingerprinting and hyper-spectral imaging. Among the available spectroscopic approaches, GHz MIR dual-comb absorption spectrometers have the potential to simultaneously combine the high-speed, high spectral resolution, and broad optical bandwidth needed to accurately study complex, transient events in chemistry, combustion, and microscopy. However, such a spectrometer has not yet been demonstrated due to the lack of GHz MIR frequency combs with broad and full spectral coverage. Here, we introduce the first broadband MIR frequency comb laser platform at 1 GHz repetition rate that achieves spectral coverage from 3 to 13 {\mu}m. This frequency comb is based on a commercially available 1.56 {\mu}m mode-locked laser, robust all-fiber Er amplifiers and intra-pulse difference frequency generation (IP-DFG) of few-cycle pulses in \c{hi}(2) nonlinear crystals. When used in a dual comb spectroscopy (DCS) configuration, this source will simultaneously enable measurements with {\mu}s time resolution, 1 GHz (0.03 cm-1) spectral point spacing and a full bandwidth of >5 THz (>166 cm-1) anywhere within the MIR atmospheric windows. This represents a unique spectroscopic resource for characterizing fast and non-repetitive events that are currently inaccessible with other sources. 

   more » « less