Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Frequency modulation spectroscopy by means of quantum-cascade lasers

  • Published:
Applied Physics B Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this paper we investigate the performance of quantum cascade (QC) lasers for high frequency modulation spectroscopy, particularly using frequency modulation (FM) and two-tone (2T) techniques. The coupling of the rf signal to the QC laser through the cryostat is studied in detail as well as the noise contributions of both the detector and the laser source to the final spectra. The experimental traces are obtained by spectroscopy on low-pressure N2O and CH4 gases at 8.0 μm and 7.3 μm wavelength, respectively, and reproduce the line profiles predicted by theory. As a preliminary result, an enhancement of a factor six is measured with respect to direct absorption line recording.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. T.F. Gallagher, R. Kachru, F. Gounand, G.C. Bjorklund, W. Lenth, Opt. Lett. 7, 28 (1982)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  2. J. Faist, F. Capasso, D.L. Sivco, C. Sirtori, A.L. Hutchinson, A.Y. Cho, Science 264, 553 (1994)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  3. C. Sirtori, J. Faist, F. Capasso, D.L. Sivco, A.L. Hutchinson, A.Y. Cho, IEEE Photon. Technol. Lett. 9, 294 (1997)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  4. D. Hofstetter, M. Beck, T. Aellen, J. Faist, U. Oesterle, M. Ilegems, E. Gini, H. Melchio, Appl. Phys. Lett. 78, 1964 (2001)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  5. S. Blaser, D.A. Yarekha, L. Hvozdara, Y. Bonetti, A. Muller, M. Giovannini, J. Faist, Appl. Phys. Lett. 86, 041109 (2005)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  6. F. Capasso, C. Gmachl, R. Paiella, A. Tredicucci, A.L. Hutchinson, D.L. Sivco, J.N. Baillargeon, A.Y. Cho, H.C. Liu, IEEE J. Quantum Electron. QE-6, 931 (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  7. C. Gmachl, F. Capasso, A. Tredicucci, D.L. Sivco, J.N. Baillargeon, A.L. Hutchinson, A.Y. Cho, Mater. Sci. Eng. B 75, 93 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. J. Faist, F. Capasso, D.L. Sivco, A.L. Hutchinson, C. Sirtori, S.N.G. Chu, A.Y. Cho, Appl. Phys. Lett. 65, 2901 (1994)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  9. A.A. Kosterev, F.K. Tittel, C. Gmachl, F. Capasso, D.L. Sivco, J.N. Baillargeon, A.H. Hutchinson, A.Y. Cho, Appl. Opt. 39, 6866 (2000)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  10. G. Gagliardi, F. Tamassia, P. De Natale, C. Gmachl, F. Capasso, D.L. Sivco, J.N. Baillargeon, A.L. Hutchinson, A.Y. Cho, Eur. Phys. J. D 19, 327 (2002)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  11. R.M. Williams, J.F. Kelly, J.S. Hartman, S.W. Sharpe, M.S. Taubman, J.L. Hall, F. Capasso, C. Gmachl, D.L. Sivco, J.N. Baillargeon, A.Y. Cho, Opt. Lett. 24, 1844 (1999)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  12. M.S. Taubman, T.L. Myers, B.D. Cannon, R.M. Williams, F. Capasso, C. Gmachl, D.L. Sivco, A.Y. Cho, Opt. Lett. 27, 2164 (2002)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  13. G. Wysocki, R.F. Curl, F.K. Tittel, R. Maulini, J.M. Bulliard, J. Faist, Appl. Phys. B 81, 769 (2005)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  14. J.T. Remillard, D. Uy, W.H. Weber, F. Capasso, C. Gmachl, A.L. Hutchinson, D.L. Sivco, J.N. Baillargeon, A.Y. Cho, Opt. Express 7, 243 (2000)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  15. G. Duxbury, N. Langford, M.T. McCulloch, S. Wright, Chem. Soc. Rev. 34, 921 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. L.S. Ma, J. Ye, P. Dube, J.L. Hall, J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 12, 2255 (1999)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  17. D.S. Bomse, A.C. Stanton, J.A. Silver, Appl. Opt. 31, 718 (1992)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  18. F.S. Pavone, M. Inguscio, Appl. Phys. B 56, 118 (1993)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  19. G.C. Bjorklund, Opt. Lett. 5, 15 (1980)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  20. G.C. Bjorklund, M.D. Levenson, W. Lenth, C. Ortiz, Appl. Phys. B 32, 145 (1983)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  21. H.E. Warner, W.T. Conner, R.C. Wood, J. Chem. Phys. 81, 5413 (1984)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  22. C.S. Gudeman, M.H. Begemann, J. Pfaff, R.J. Saykally, Opt. Lett. 8, 310 (1983)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  23. D.T. Cassidy, J. Reid, Appl. Phys. B 29, 279 (1982)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  24. G.R. Janik, C.B. Carlisle, T.F. Gallagher, J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 3, 1070 (1986)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  25. D.E. Cooper, R.E. Warren, J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 4, 470 (1987)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  26. G. Gagliardi, S. Borri, F. Tamassia, F. Capasso, C. Gmachl, D.L. Sivco, J.N. Baillargeon, A.L. Hutchinson, A.Y. Cho, Isotopes Environ. Health Stud. 41, 313 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. K. Namjou, S. Cai, E.A. Whittaker, J. Faist, C. Gmachl, F. Capasso, D.L. Sivco, A.Y. Cho, Opt. Lett. 23, 219 (1998)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università di Firenze, Via G. Sansone 1, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy

    S. Borri & M. Inguscio

  2. European Laboratory for Non–Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), Via N. Carrara 1, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy

    S. Borri, S. Bartalini, P. De Natale & M. Inguscio

  3. CNR – Istituto Nazionale di Ottica Applicata (INOA), Largo E. Fermi 6, 50125, Firenze, Italy

    S. Bartalini & P. De Natale

  4. Electrical Engineering Dept., Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA

    C. Gmachl

  5. Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA

    F. Capasso

  6. Bell Laboratories, Lucent Technologies, 600 Mountain Ave., Murray Hill, NJ, 07974, USA

    D.L. Sivco & A.Y. Cho

Authors
  1. S. Borri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Bartalini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. P. De Natale
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M. Inguscio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. C. Gmachl
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. F. Capasso
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. D.L. Sivco
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. A.Y. Cho
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Bartalini.

Additional information

PACS

42.62.Fi; 42.72.A1; 07.88.+y

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Borri, S., Bartalini, S., De Natale, P. et al. Frequency modulation spectroscopy by means of quantum-cascade lasers. Appl. Phys. B 85, 223–229 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-006-2343-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-006-2343-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation