Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 29, 2026

Biomolecular Detection employing the Interferometric Reflectance Imaging Sensor IRIS
Published on: May 3, 2011
Broadband interferometric subtraction of optical fields
Abstract:
We present a Mach-Zehnder-like interferometer capable of simultaneous super-octave (950 - 2100 nm) destructive interference with an intensity extinction of 4 × 10-4. Achromatic nulling is achieved by unbalancing the number of Fresnel reflections off optically denser media in the two interferometer arms. With a methane gas sample in one interferometer arm, we isolate the coherent molecular vibrational emission from the broadband, impulsive excitation and quantitatively examine the potential improvement in detectable concentration, compared to direct transmission geometry. The novel concept will benefit sensing applications requiring high detection sensitivity and dynamic range, including time-domain and frequency-domain spectroscopy.
Related Concept Videos
Field Effect Transistor
Electric Field
In the new picture, imagine that the first charge sets up an electric field independent of all other charges in the universe. When another charge comes in its vicinity, the second charge experiences an electric force depending on the electric field at that point. The source charge does not...
Magnetic Fields
A magnetic field is defined by the force that a charged particle experiences...
Electromagnetic Fields
However, the observation of...
Electric Field Inside a Conductor
Suppose a piece of metal is placed near a positive charge. The free electrons in the metal are attracted to the external positive charge and migrate freely toward that region. This region then...
Magnetic Field of a Solenoid
Consider a solenoid with 100 turns wrapped around a cylinder of...

