Coherent multiheterodyne spectroscopy using stabilized optical frequency combs

The broadband, coherent nature of narrow-linewidth fiber frequency combs is exploited to measure the full complex spectrum of a molecular gas through multiheterodyne spectroscopy. We measure the absorption and phase shift experienced by each of 155 000 individual frequency-comb lines, spaced by 100 MHz and spanning from 1495 to 1620 nm, after passing through hydrogen cyanide gas. The measured phase spectrum agrees with the Kramers-Kronig transformation of the absorption spectrum. This technique can provide a full complex spectrum rapidly, over wide bandwidths, and with hertz-level accuracy.     

平行光波阵面调制下的双频干涉条纹形貌测量

传统形貌测量多采用光栅投影,其投影条纹的非正弦性及条纹密度的限制将影响形貌测量的精度,为了实现高密度正弦条纹投影的可调性,采用平行光干涉投影形成明亮且对比度高的正弦条纹,避免条纹的正弦畸变。在平行光波阵面调制下,通过相控阵调节两光束交会角度得到所需的条纹频率,实现条纹投影的可调性,再将调制后双频应用到解包裹中提高解相精度。对比分析了单频和双频解包裹条件下,一个最大高度为35.80 mm物体形貌的恢复,其最高点恢复相对误差分别为2.7%、1.6%。实验结果表明该方法具有有效性与可行性,具有较高的精度。     

Revisiting the laser frequency locking method using acousto-optic frequency modulation transfer spectroscopy

We present a laser frequency locking system based on acousto-optic modulation transfer spectroscopy(AOMTS). Theoretical and experimental investigations are carried out to optimize the locking performance mainly from the view of the modulation frequency and index for the specific scheme of AOMTS. An FWHM linewidth of 63 kHz is achieved and the frequency stability in terms of Allan standard deviation reaches1.4 × 10~(-12) at 30 s. The frequency shifting capacity is validated throughout the acousto-optic modulator bandwidth while the laser is kept locked. This work offers a different but efficient choice for applications calling for both stabilized and tunable laser frequencies.     

Characterization of an optical frequency comb using modified direct frequency comb spectroscopy

We introduce a method for determination of the absolute frequencies of comb lines within an optical frequency comb spectrum. The method utilizes the experimental and theoretical approach of the velocity-selective optical pumping of the atomic ground state hyperfine levels induced by resonant pulse-train excitation. The information on the laser pulse repetition frequency and carrier–envelope offset are physically mapped onto the ⁸⁷Rb ground state hyperfine level population velocity distributions. Theoretical spectra are calculated using an iterative analytic solution of the optical Bloch equations describing the resonant pulse-train excitation of four-level ⁸⁷Rb atoms. They are employed to fit the measured spectra and obtain the parameters of the frequency comb, thus providing a practical algorithm which can be used in real-time measurements.     

Laser frequency stabilization and shifting by using modulation transfer spectroscopy

The stabilizing and shifting of laser frequency are very important for the interaction between the laser and atoms. The modulation transfer spectroscopy for the87 Rb atom with D2 line transition F = 2 → F = 3 is used for stabilizing and shifting the frequency of the external cavity grating feedback diode laser. The resonant phase modulator with electro–optical effect is used to generate frequency sideband to lock the laser frequency. In the locking scheme, circularly polarized pump- and probe-beams are used. By optimizing the temperature of the vapor, the pump- and probe-beam intensity, the laser linewidth of 280 kHz is obtained. Furthermore, the magnetic field generated by a solenoid is added into the system. Therefore the system can achieve the frequency locking at any point in a range of hundreds of megahertz frequency shifting with very low power loss.     

FLaser frequency stabilization and shifting by using modulation transfer spectroscopy

The stabilizing and shifting of laser frequency are very important for the interaction between the laser and atoms. The modulation transfer spectroscopy for the 87Rb atom with D2 line transition F = 2 →F＇ = 3 is used for stabilizing and shifting the frequency of the external cavity grating feedback diode laser. The resonant phase modulator with electro-optical effect is used to generate frequency sideband to lock the laser frequency. In the locking scheme, circularly polarized pump- and probe-beams are used. By optimizing the temperature of the vapor, the pump- and probe-beam intensity, the laser linewidth of 280 kHz is obtained. Furthermore, the magnetic field generated by a solenoid is added into the system. Therefore the system can achieve the frequency locking at any point in a range of hundreds of megahertz frequency shifting with very low power loss.     

A 532 nm molecular iodine optical frequency standard based on modulation transfer spectroscopy

We report construction of an iodine-stabilized laser frequency standard at 532 nm based on modulation transfer spectroscopy(MTS) technology with good reproducibility. A frequency stability of 2.5 × 10~(-14) at 1 s averaging time is achieved,and the frequency reproducibility has a relative uncertainty of 3.5×10~(-13), demonstrating the great stability of our setup.The systematic uncertainty of the iodine-stabilized laser frequency standard is evaluated, especially the contribution of the residual amplitude modulation(RAM). The contribution of the RAM in MTS cannot be evaluated directly. To solve this problem, we theoretically deduce the MTS signal with RAM under large modulation depth, and prove that the nonsymmetric shape of the MTS signal is directly related to the MTS effect. The non-symmetric shape factor r can be calibrated with a frequency comb, and in real experiments, this r value can be obtained by least-squares fitting of the MTS signal,from which we can infer the RAMinduced frequency shift. The full frequency uncertainty is evaluated to be 5.3 k Hz(corresponding to a relative frequency uncertainty of 9.4×10~(-12)). The corrected transition frequency has a difference from the BIPM-recommended value of 2 k Hz, which is within 1σ uncertainty, proving the validity of our evaluation.     

Quantum-noise-limited optical frequency comb spectroscopy

We achieve a quantum-noise-limited absorption sensitivity of 1.7×10(-12) cm(-1) per spectral element at 400 s of acquisition time with cavity-enhanced frequency comb spectroscopy, the highest demonstrated for a comb-based technique. The system comprises a frequency comb locked to a high-finesse cavity and a fast-scanning Fourier transform spectrometer with an ultralow-noise autobalancing detector. Spectra with a signal-to-noise ratio above 1000 and a resolution of 380 MHz are acquired within a few seconds. The measured absorption line shapes are in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions.     

Characterisation of the potential of frequency modulation and optical feedback locking for cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy

A combination of optical feedback self-locking of a continuous-wave distributed feedback diode laser to a V-shaped high finesse cavity, laser phase modulation at a frequency equal to the free spectral range of the V-cavity and detection of the transmitted laser beam at this high modulation frequency is described for the possible application in cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy. In order to estimate the noise level of an absorbance baseline, the triplet of frequency modulated light, i.e. the central laser frequency and the two sidebands, were transmitted through both the V-cavity in open air and a 1.5-cm long optical cell placed behind the cavity output mirror and filled with acetylene (C₂H₂) at low pressure. The performance of the setup was evaluated from the measured relative intensity noise on the cavity output (normalised by the bandwidth) and the frequency modulation absorption signals induced by C₂H₂ absorption in the 1.5-cm cell. From these data, we estimate that the noise-equivalent absorption sensitivity of 2.1 × 10^?11 cm^?1 Hz^?1/2—by a factor of 11.7 above the shot-noise limit—can be achieved for C₂H₂ absorption spectra extracted from the heterodyne beat signals recorded at the transmission maxima intensity peaks of the successive TEM₀₀ resonances.     

调制转移光谱光频率标准系统中电光参数的优化研究

根据窄带相位调制光在非线性吸收介质中的近简并四波混频的物理机理,分析了采用电光调制器实现调制转移光谱(MTS)技术的电磁场激励及其动态演化过程,建立了MTS中频率色散谱和吸收谱的理论模型. 研究结果表明:以分子吸收谱线色散谱信号作为频率误差鉴别信号时,系统调制频率取0.72倍谱线线宽附近可以得到最佳的色散信号强度;解调相位的变化对吸收谱的影响很大,但对色散谱而言,解调相位在90°附近的小范围波动对频率误差信号解调效果影响不大;调制度在0.5–1区域可以得到较好的综合稳频效果. 关键词： 光频率标准 调制转移光谱 频率稳定 电光参数优化     

Doppler-free optical double resonance spectroscopy using a single-frequency laser and modulation sidebands

Principles and applications are described for a form of Doppler-free optical double resonance spectroscopy which uses amplitude modulation sidebands (v _L ±v) imposed on a single laser frequency (v _L ). The sidebands are generated by passing the carrier radiationv _L through an electro-optic modulator, driven at a radiofrequency ν, which enables the intensity and polarization characteristics of the emerging radiation to be varied for enhancement of selected double-resonance processes. The technique has been applied to infrared-infrared double-resonance studies of the Stark effects of a variety of molecules—¹³CH₃F,¹²CH₃F, PH₃,¹⁵NH₃, GeH₄, SiH₄, and CH₃D—for which physical results are presented and discussed. These results include determination of extremely small electric dipole moments (10⁻³–10⁻⁵ debye) for GeH₄ and CH₃D and, for the dipole moment of PH₃, a vibrational state dependence which is extremely small (Δμ=0.0028(5) debye for ∣Δv ₂∣=1) and a rotational state dependence which is of an unexpected sign. The spectra recorded in some cases display unusual polarization and optical saturation effects which deviate markedly from the predictions of a simple three-wave polarization theory.     

红外差分光学吸收光谱技术测量环境大气中的水汽

研究了基于红外差分光学吸收光谱技术的环境大气中的水汽测量方法. 所用实验装置由自制的非分散红外多组分气体分析仪改装而成, 根据HITRAN数据库提供的线强参数,采用Voigt展宽线型和方法,并考虑温度、 气压及仪器函数的影响,计算出了水汽反演波段的有效吸收截面. 将反演的水汽浓度与非分散红外分析仪的测量结果进行了实时对比, 得到了较好的测量一致性,测量相关系数为0.93347. 为今后采用红外DOAS技术测量其他在紫外可见波段无吸收或仅有弱吸收的气体 (如CO₂, CH₄, CO, N₂O等)提供了可借鉴的解决方案.     

差分吸收光谱技术在工业污染源烟气排放监测中的应用

研究了差分吸收光谱技术在工业污染源烟气排放监测中的应用及实现.借助于独立的采样和前处理系统去除烟尘和水汽对光谱拟合的影响.为避免高浓度的SO2在常温下发生光解.将经前处理后的烟气加热至150℃进行测量.采用Voigt线型对SO2,NO,NO2在185-235 nm波段的吸收截面进行了展宽,获得了高温气体的标准吸收截面,并与归一化的光谱仪仪器函数进行卷积得到了光谱拟合所需的有效吸收截面.将反演结果与非分散红外分析仪的测量结果进行了实时对比,获得了较好的一致性,验证了差分吸收光谱方法高准确度测量工业污染源烟气排放的可行性.     

Single-detector polarization-sensitive optical frequency domain imaging using high-speed intra A-line polarization modulation

We demonstrate a novel high-speed polarization-sensitive optical frequency domain imaging system employing high-speed polarization modulation. Rapid and continuous polarization modulation of light prior to illumination of the sample is accomplished by shifting the frequency of one polarization eigenstate by an amount equal to one quarter of the digitization sampling frequency. This approach enables polarization-sensitive imaging with a single detection channel and overcomes artifacts that may arise from temporal variations of the birefringence in fiber-optic imaging probes and spatial variation of birefringence in the sample.     

Temperature dependent direct-bandgap light emission and optical gain of Ge

Band structure, electron distribution, direct-bandgap light emission, and optical gain of tensile strained, n-doped Ge at different temperatures were calculated. We found that the heating effects not only increase the electron occupancy rate in the Γ valley of Ge by thermal excitation, but also reduce the energy difference between its Γ valley and L valley. However,the light emission enhancement of Ge induced by the heating effects is weakened with increasing tensile strain and n-doping concentration. This phenomenon could be explained by that Ge is more similar to a direct bandgap material under tensile strain and n-doping. The heating effects also increase the optical gain of tensile strained, n-doped Ge at low temperature, but decrease it at high temperature. At high temperature, the hole and electron distributions become more flat, which prevent obtaining higher optical gain. Meanwhile, the heating effects also increase the free-carrier absorption. Therefore, to obtain a higher net maximum gain, the tensile strained, n-doped Ge films on Si should balance the gain increased by the heating effects and the optical loss induced by the free-carrier absorption.     

Radio frequency modulation in infrared laser Stark spectroscopy

The effects of a radio frequency electric field modulation on Stark tuned level crossings and saturated absorptions at 10 µm are investigated and compared with the dressed molecule theory. Applications are made to rotational quantum state assignment and electric dipole measurements. The dipole moments of NH₂D in the ground and ν₂ = 1 state are measured to be      

High frequency wavelength modulation spectroscopy with diode lasers

High frequency wavelength modulation spectroscopy with diode lasers is accomplished by dithering the drive current at RF frequencies as high as 250 MHz. This technique is useful for fast and sensitive detection of absorption lines in the near-and mid-infrared spectral regions. Detection of 300 MHz wide spectral features corresponding to 1% changes in transmission is accomplished in time intervals as short as 500 ns. A potential application is for fast reading of information contained in frequency domain optical memories based upon photochemical hole burning.     

Theory of frequency modulation spectroscopy of coherent dark resonances

The interaction of a three-level atom in the A configuration with a frequency-modulated (FM) field is analyzed theoretically for the first time. The two-frequency model for solving the problem of frequency modulation spectroscopy of coherent dark resonances is described and analyzed for a three-level A system. The effectiveness of the two-frequency model is demonstrated by comparing the results obtained using this model with the results of solving the exact problem of interaction of a A system with an FM field, which can be solved by the density matrix method. It is shown that the simple two-frequency model corresponds to the exact solution and is in qualitative agreement with experimental data.     

连续可调谐OPO及其在Cs2分子频率调制光谱中的应用

采用边带锁频技术,在II类相位匹配半整体光学参量振荡器(OPO)中实现双谐振OPO稳定单频运转,通过调谐抽运光频实现OPO输出连续可调谐, 最大连续调谐范围2.8GHz,将其应用于Cs2分子的频率调制光谱,观测到室温附近Cs2分子气室样品在1041.506nm附近的高分辨率光谱.