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In a recently published study NatureResearchers from the Max Born Institute in Berlin, Germany, and the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics in Harching have revealed a new
In a recently published study NatureResearchers from the Max Born Institute in Berlin, Germany, and the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics in Harching have revealed a new technique for deciphering the properties of matter using light that can simultaneously detect and precisely measure many substances with high chemical selectivity.
Their technique investigates atoms and molecules in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum under very low light. Experiments using two optical frequency combs and a photon counter open exciting prospects for dual-comb spectroscopy in low light and pave the way for new applications in photon-level diagnostics, such as sensitive spectroscopy of single atoms or molecules for fundamental physics tests. and ultraviolet photochemistry in Earth’s atmosphere or from space telescopes.
Ultraviolet spectroscopy plays a crucial role in studying electronic transitions in atoms and rovibronic transitions in molecules. These studies are needed to test high-resolution spectroscopy and strong field physics supporting fundamental physics, the theory of quantum electrodynamics, determination of fundamental constants, precision measurements, optical clocks, atmospheric chemistry and astrophysics.
Scientists from Nathalie Piquet’s group have made a significant step forward in the field of UV spectroscopy by successfully applying high-resolution linear absorption double-comb spectroscopy in the UV spectral range. This groundbreaking achievement opens new opportunities for low-light experiments, paving the way for new applications in various scientific and technological fields.
Double-comb spectroscopy, a powerful technique for accurate spectroscopy over wide spectral ranges, is mainly used for infrared linear absorption of small molecules in the gas phase. It is based on measuring time-dependent interference between two frequency combs with slightly different repetition rates. A frequency comb is a spectrum of evenly spaced phase-coherent laser lines that act as a ruler to measure the frequency of light with extreme precision. The double-comb technique is not affected by the geometric limitations associated with conventional spectrometers and offers great potential for high sensitivity.
However, dual-comb spectroscopy typically requires intense laser beams, making it less suitable for scenarios where low light levels are critical. So far, the team has demonstrated experimentally that dual-comb spectroscopy can be used effectively in low-light conditions with power levels a million times lower than those normally used.
This invention was achieved using two different experimental setups with different types of frequency comb generators. The team developed a photon-level interferometer that accurately records photon counting statistics and displays signal-to-noise ratio at the fundamental limit. This achievement highlights the optimal use of available light for experiments and opens the possibility of dual-comb spectroscopy in challenging scenarios where low illumination is required.
Researchers have paved the way to achieve this desired goal by solving problems related to creating ultraviolet frequency combs and creating dual-comb interferometers with long coherence times. They perfectly controlled the mutual coherence of two comb lasers with one femtowatt per comb line and demonstrated optimal accumulation of interference signal count statistics over a period of over an hour. “Our innovative approach to low-light interferometry overcomes the problems associated with the low efficiency of nonlinear frequency conversion and lays a solid foundation for the extension of dual-comb spectroscopy to even shorter wavelengths,” says research scientist Bingxing Xu. experiments.
Indeed, an interesting future application is the development of double-comb spectroscopy at short wavelengths to enable sensitive molecular spectroscopy in vacuum and UV over a wide spectral range. Currently the resolution and accuracy of broadband extreme UV spectroscopy is limited and relies on unique equipment in specialized facilities.
“Ultraviolet dual-comb spectroscopy, although a challenging goal, has now become a reality as a result of our research. More importantly, our results expand the scope of low-light dual-comb spectroscopy, opening the door to new applications in precision spectroscopy, biomedical sensing and environmental sensing. On a more personal note As such, this milestone was the result of an experiment conducted at the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics and completed while I was director of the Max Born Institute. I cannot imagine a more exciting way to transition to a new institution. will lead our experiments!” Natalie Pique sums it up.
The development of short-wavelength double-comb spectroscopy promises advances in many scientific and technological fields, underscoring the importance of this achievement.
Source: Port Altele
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