Supercontinua for high-resolution absorption multiplex infrared spectroscopy

Supercontinua generated in highly nonlinear fibers by ultrashort-pulse lasers can be used for high-resolution Fourier transform absorption spectroscopy. The practical advantages of these bright ultrabroadband light sources for spectroscopy in the near-infrared region are reported. A Cr(4+):YAG femtosecond laser broadened by an extruded soft-glass photonic crystal fiber, emitting from 1200 to 2200 nm and from 675 to 950 nm, provides a spectral radiance 1 x 10(5) times higher than that of a 3000 K blackbody and 10(2) times higher than that of synchrotron radiation. The C(2)H(2) and NH(3) overtone spectra are recorded by using this source within a few seconds.