Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026
06:42
Generation and Coherent Control of Pulsed Quantum Frequency Combs
Published on: June 8, 2018
Power optimization of XUV frequency combs for spectroscopy applications [Invited]
D C Yost1, A Cingöz, T K Allison
1JILA, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and University of Colorado Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0440, USA. dylan.yost@colorado.edu
Optics Express
|November 24, 2011
Summary
We overcame technical challenges in generating high-photon flux extreme ultraviolet (XUV) frequency combs. Our cavity-enhanced high harmonic generation system now delivers significant power for spectroscopy experiments.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Quantum Optics
- Laser Science
Background:
- High-photon flux extreme ultraviolet (XUV) frequency combs are crucial for advanced spectroscopy.
- Technical challenges like mirror damage and plasma generation impede their generation via cavity-enhanced high harmonic generation (HHG).
Purpose of the Study:
- To address and overcome the technical impediments in generating high-photon flux XUV frequency combs.
- To develop a robust system for practical spectroscopic applications.
Main Methods:
- Cavity-enhanced high harmonic generation (HHG) was employed.
- Technical issues including mirror damage, cavity nonlinearity, intracavity plasma, and phase-matching were systematically minimized or eliminated.
Main Results:
- A system capable of generating over 200 μW of average power was developed.
- Approximately 20 μW of average power was delivered for each spectrally separated harmonic (50 nm - 120 nm).
Conclusions:
- The developed system effectively overcomes key technical barriers in XUV frequency comb generation.
- The system provides sufficient power for direct application in comb-based spectroscopy experiments.
Related Concept Videos
01:02Ultraviolet and Visible (UV–Vis) Spectroscopy: Overview
Ultraviolet–visible (UV–visible or UV–Vis) spectroscopy is an analytical technique that investigates the interaction between matter and UV–Vis light within the electromagnetic spectrum. This method is widely used for its versatility, simplicity, and relatively quick data acquisition, making it valuable for both qualitative and quantitative analysis. When UV–Vis radiation passes through a material, molecules absorb light depending on the energy required for electronic transitions. As a result...
01:17NMR Spectrometers: Radiofrequency Pulses and Pulse Sequences
A pulse is a short burst of radio waves distributed over a range of frequencies that simultaneously excites all the nuclei in the sample. Upon passing a radio frequency pulse along the x-axis, the nuclei absorb energy corresponding to their Larmor frequencies and achieve resonance. This shifts the net magnetization vector from the z-axis toward the transverse plane. This angle of rotation of the magnetization vector, or the flip angle, is proportional to the duration and intensity of the pulse.
01:16UV–Vis Spectroscopy: Molecular Electronic Transitions
In Ultraviolet–Visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, the absorption of electromagnetic radiation is used to probe the electronic structure of molecules. This technique provides insights into molecular electronic transitions, particularly the movement of electrons between different molecular orbitals. Radiation is absorbed if the energy of the electromagnetic radiation passing through the molecule is precisely equal to the energy difference between the excited and ground states. During this process,...
01:14UV–Vis Spectrometers
The absorbance of UV and visible (UV–visible) radiations is measured using a UV–visible spectrophotometer. Deuterium lamps, which emit UV radiation, and tungsten lamps, which produce radiation in the visible region, are used as light sources in UV–visible spectrophotometers. A monochromator or prism is used for diffraction grating, i.e., to split the incoming radiation into different wavelengths. A system of slits is used to focus the desired wavelength on the sample cell. Samples for...
01:32UV–Vis Spectroscopy of Conjugated Systems
Organic compounds with conjugated double bonds show strong absorption features in the UV–visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum attributed to π → π* electronic excitations. Generally, a UV–vis absorption spectrum is recorded as a plot of absorbance vs wavelength. The wavelength of maximum absorbance, which manifests as a peak in the absorption spectrum, is denoted as λmax.
One of the factors influencing λmax is the extent of conjugation in the...
One of the factors influencing λmax is the extent of conjugation in the...
01:24IR Frequency Region: X–H Stretching
In IR spectroscopy, signals produced by the X−H bonds (such as C−H, O−H, or N−H) can be observed in the frequency range of 2700–4000 cm–1. The C−H stretching vibration forms sharp bands in the region 2850–3000 cm–1. The presence of the O−H stretching vibration leads to the forming of an absorption band in the frequency range 3650–3200 cm−1. At the same time, N−H stretching can be confirmed by absorption bands in the 3500–3100 cm−1 range. Even though both O−H and N−H bonds vibrate at a similar...