On-chip mid-infrared and THz frequency combs for spectroscopy

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent advances in on-chip mid-infrared and THz frequency combs, highlighting their potential for compact spectroscopy and gas sensing applications, along with current challenges and future prospects.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive summary of recent technological developments in on-chip frequency combs in the mid-infrared and THz spectrum.

Findings

Emergence of compact on-chip frequency comb lasers

Potential for rapid broadband spectroscopy

Applications in molecular gas sensing

Abstract

Frequency combs have revolutionized time and frequency metrology and in recent years, new frequency comb lasers that are highly compact or even on-chip have been demonstrated in the mid-infrared and THz regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The emerging technologies include electrically pumped quantum and interband cascade semiconductor devices, as well as high-quality factor microresonators. In this guest editorial, the authors summarize recent advances in the field, the potential for rapid broadband spectroscopy, as well as the challenges and prospects for use in molecular gas sensing.