Phase-stabilized, 1.5-W frequency comb at 2.8 to 4.8 micron

TL;DR

This paper reports a high-power, phase-stabilized mid-infrared frequency comb generated by an optical parametric oscillator, suitable for spectroscopy, with tunable wavelengths and high stability.

Contribution

The work introduces a novel, high-power, phase-stabilized mid-IR frequency comb using an OPO pumped by a femtosecond laser, with continuous tuning and demonstrated stability.

Findings

Achieved 1.50 W average power in the idler wavelength range 2.8-4.8 um.

Demonstrated phase stabilization via heterodyne beat measurement.

Tunable wavelength range with high bandwidth up to 0.3 um.

Abstract

We present a high-power optical parametric oscillator-based frequency comb in the mid-infrared wavelength region using periodically poled lithium niobate. The system is synchronously pumped by a 10-W femtosecond Yb:fiber laser centered at 1.07 um and is singly resonant for the signal. The idler (signal) wavelength can be continuously tuned from 2.8 to 4.8 um (1.76 to 1.37 um) with a simultaneous bandwidth as high as 0.3 um and a maximum average idler output power of 1.50 W. We also demonstrate the performance of the stabilized comb by recording the heterodyne beat with a narrow-linewidth diode laser. This OPO is an ideal source for frequency comb spectroscopy in the mid-IR.