Microresonator soliton dual-comb spectroscopy.

Myoung-Gyun Suh, Qi-Fan Yang, Ki Youl Yang, Xu Yi, Kerry J Vahala
Author Information
  1. Myoung-Gyun Suh: T. J. Watson Laboratory of Applied Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
  2. Qi-Fan Yang: T. J. Watson Laboratory of Applied Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
  3. Ki Youl Yang: T. J. Watson Laboratory of Applied Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
  4. Xu Yi: T. J. Watson Laboratory of Applied Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
  5. Kerry J Vahala: T. J. Watson Laboratory of Applied Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA. vahala@caltech.edu.

Abstract

Measurement of optical and vibrational spectra with high resolution provides a way to identify chemical species in cluttered environments and is of general importance in many fields. Dual-comb spectroscopy has emerged as a powerful approach for acquiring nearly instantaneous Raman and optical spectra with unprecedented resolution. Spectra are generated directly in the electrical domain, without the need for bulky mechanical spectrometers. We demonstrate a miniature soliton-based dual-comb system that can potentially transfer the approach to a chip platform. These devices achieve high-coherence pulsed mode locking. They also feature broad, reproducible spectral envelopes, an essential feature for dual-comb spectroscopy. Our work shows the potential for integrated spectroscopy with high signal-to-noise ratios and fast acquisition rates.