Frequency-agile dual-comb spectroscopy

Abstract: We propose a new approach to near-infrared molecular spectroscopy, harnessing advanced concepts of optical telecommunications and supercontinuum photonics. We generate, without mode-locked lasers, two frequency combs of slightly different repetition frequencies and moderate, but rapidly tunable, spectral span. The output of a frequency-agile continuous wave laser is split and sent into two electro-optic intensity modulators. Flat-top low-noise frequency combs are produced by wave-breaking in a nonlinear optical fiber of normal dispersion. With a dual-comb spectrometer, we record Doppler-limited spectra spanning 60 GHz within 13 microseconds and 80-kHz refresh rate, at a tuning speed of 10 nm.s^-1. The sensitivity for weak absorption is enhanced by a long gas-filled hollow-core fiber.