A reference-free dual-comb spectroscopy calibrated by passive devices

Abstract

Dual-comb spectroscopy has enabled new approaches for optical precision measurements. Although Doppler-limited resolution can be achieved over long-time scales across a large bandwidth, the development of dual-comb spectroscopy is hindered by strict demands for light source stability. Typically, expensive and complex self-reference systems are required to lock the carrier-envelope offset frequency (fceo) of the laser. Additionally, simply locking the repetition frequency (frep) to a radio frequency reference source still results in residual relative timing jitter between light sources. Here we extracted the relative fceo fluctuation between the frep-locked lasers from the high-precision passive notch filtering characteristics of the phase-shifted fiber Bragg grating and then eliminated it through online phase calibration. By introducing a passive broadband Fabry–Perot cavity with excellent thermal wavelength stability, we subsequently corrected residual relative timing jitter with online wavelength calibration, and the standard deviation of the relative wavelength drift was reduced to less than 0.4 pm within the full operating range. The spectral profile can also be extracted and removed by the Fabry–Perot cavity through intensity calibration. By calibrating these three dimensions, we built a reference-free post-calibration dual-comb spectroscopy and used this powerful tool to measure the Fabry–Perot cavity resonance peaks, the notch filtering narrow band of phase-shifted fiber Bragg gratings, and the absorption characteristics of hydrogen cyanide gas. The system achieves a spectral resolution of 0.8 pm over a bandwidth of more than 100 nm. This low-cost and convenient scheme provides new ideas for the application of dual-comb spectroscopy systems.