Electro optic dual comb spectroscopy for mid-infrared applications – ELECTROCOMB

The ELECTROCOMB project aims at the generation of wavelength-flexible frequency combs in the mid-infrared spectral range as a powerful tool for dual-comb spectroscopy (DCS) based on comb generation with electro-optical modulation of a continuous-wave laser. This technique has many advantages but is currently mainly limited to the optical telecommunications ranges mainly for technical reasons. ELECTROCOMB aims at overcoming these handicaps. The project will improve the fundamental understanding of the electro-optical based comb in order to increase the spectral broadening and to reduce the noise level closer to the fundamental limits. This will be combined with novel and efficient approaches for the non-linear optical frequency conversion into the mid-infrared range (3 - 5 µm ). This will be used for challenging applications in trace gas analysis.