Laboratory of Ultrasensitive and Ultrafast Spectroscopy

Head: Ryszard S. Trawiński

With the development of optical frequency combs (OFCs), new method, employing directly the OFC for spectroscopic measurements – Direct Frequency Comb Spectroscopy (DFCS) has emerged. It combines the high resolution offered by methods based on continuous wave lasers with broadband operation offered by Fourier Transform Spectroscopy and enables measuring hundreds of nanometers of spectra within seconds maintaining high spectral resolution, down to single Hz .The optical frequency comb used in this laboratory allows developing and further improving this new technique by increasing its sensitivity and comparing to ultra-sensitive measurements offered by Frequency-Stabilized Cavity Ring-down Spectrometer. On the other hand, the spectrum of the OFC, after broadening in highly nonlinear fiber, covers spectral range 1.0 µm to 2.0 µm, giving access to transitions of such molecules as CO2, CO, CH4, C2H2, H2O, NH3 or O2. It makes it a perfect tool for simultaneous trace detection of multiple molecular species, which can revolutionize such areas as atmospheric research, medical diagnosis, chemical process dynamics or homeland security.