Robust, frequency-stable and accurate mid-IR laser spectrometer based on frequency comb metrology of quantum cascade lasers up-converted in orientation-patterned GaAs

Abstract

We demonstrate a robust and simple method for measurement, stabilization and tuning of the frequency of cw mid-infrared (MIR) lasers, in particular of quantum cascade lasers. The proof of principle is performed with a quantum cascade laser at 5.4 μm, which is upconverted to 1.2 μm by sum-frequency generation in orientation-patterned GaAs with the output of a standard high-power cw 1.5 μm fiber laser. Both the 1.2 μm and the 1.5 μm waves are measured by a standard Er:fiber frequency comb. Frequency measurement at the 100 kHz-level, stabilization to sub-10 kHz level, controlled frequency tuning and long-term stability are demonstrated.

References in corpus (3)

• Mid-infrared frequency combs
• Addressing and manipulation of individual hyperfine states in cold trapped molecular ions and application to HD^{+} frequency metrology
• Vibrational spectroscopy of H2+: hyperfine structure of two-photon transitions

Cited by in corpus (4)

• Quantum cascade laser frequency stabilisation at the sub-Hz level
• QCL-based frequency metrology from the mid-infrared to the THz range: a review
• A widely tunable 10-$\mu$m quantum cascade laser phase-locked to a state-of-the-art mid-infrared reference for precision molecular spectroscopy
• A quantum cascade laser-based mid-IR frequency metrology system with ultra-narrow linewidth and $1\times 10^{-13}$-level frequency instability