Absolute frequency stabilization of a QCL at 8.6  µm by modulation transfer spectroscopy

Modulation transfer spectroscopy is used to demonstrate absolute frequency stabilization of an 8.6-µm-wavelength quantum cascade laser against a sub-Doppler absorption of the CHF₃ molecule. The obtained spectral emission properties are thoroughly characterized through a self-referenced optical frequency comb, stabilized against either a GPS-disciplined Rb clock or a 1.54-µm Er-fiber laser locked to a high-finesse ultra-low-expansion optical cavity. Fractional long-term stability and accuracy at a level of 4×10^-12 (at 100 s) and 3×10^-10, respectively, are demonstrated, along with an emission linewidth as narrow as 10 kHz for observation times of 0.1 s.