Microresonator soliton dual-comb spectroscopy

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 354; no. 6312; pp. 600 - 603
• Main Authors: Suh, Myoung-Gyun, Yang, Qi-Fan, Yang, Ki Youl, Yi, Xu, Vahala, Kerry J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Association for the Advancement of Science 04-11-2016; The American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Subjects: Chips; Devices; Electronics; Frequencies; Frequency domains; High resolution; Measurement techniques; Silicon; Spectra; Spectrometers; Spectroscopy; Spectrum analysis
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.aah6516

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.