Frequency combs for cavity cascades: OPO combs and graphene-coupled cavities. (6th December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Kevin F; Kowzan, Grzegorz; Lee, C-C; Mohr, C; Jiang, Jie; Schunemann, Peter G; Schibli, T R; Maslowski, Piotr; Fermann, M E
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics. Volume 50:Number 1(2017:Jan. 01)
• Publication Date: 2016-12-06
• Subjects: frequency comb -- optical parametric oscillator -- cavity-enhanced spectroscopy; 33.20.Ea -- 42.60.Da; Atoms -- Periodicals; Molecules -- Periodicals; Optics -- Periodicals; Nuclear physics -- Periodicals; 539.6
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6455/50/1/014003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0953-4075

Abstract

Abstract: Frequency combs can be used directly, for example as a highly precise spectroscopic light source. They can also be used indirectly, as a bridge between devices whose high precision requirements would normally make them incompatible. Here, we demonstrate two ways that a frequency comb enables new technologies by matching optical cavities. One cavity is the laser oscillator. A second cavity is a low-threshold doubly-resonant optical parametric oscillator (OPO). Extending optical referencing to the doubly-resonant OPO turns the otherwise unstable device into an extremely precise midinfrared frequency comb. Another cavity is an optical enhancement cavity for amplifying spectral absorption in a gas. With the high speed of a graphene-modulated frequency comb, we can couple a frequency comb directly into a high-finesse cavity for trace gas detection.