Press Release
☷New Frequency Comb Can Identify Molecules in 20 Nanosecond Snapshots
National Institute of Standards and Technology ( By Press Release office)
Nov 01,2023
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Laser systems called frequency combs are super accurate at identifying different molecules , from basic ones like carbon dioxide to complex ones like antibodies . However , they ' ve had limitations when it comes to capturing really fast processes . But now , scientists from NIST , Toptica Photonics AG , and the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a frequency comb system that can detect specific molecules every 20 billionths of a second . This new capability could help researchers learn more about quick processes like how jet engines work or how enzymes regulate cell growth . The researchers published their findings in Nature Photonics . In their experiment , they used a simpler and cheaper setup called "electro - optic combs" to split a beam of light into two . They then used electric fields to shape each beam into the "teeth" of a frequency comb . Each tooth represents a different color or frequency of light that molecules can absorb . While this setup had fewer teeth than traditional frequency combs , each tooth had more power and was farther apart in frequency , resulting in a strong signal that allowed the researchers to detect changes in light absorption at a 20 - nanosecond scale . They used the setup to measure pulses of CO2 in an air - filled chamber and learn about their motion and interaction with the air . This information is typically difficult to obtain with computer simulations alone . The research was partially supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research . The paper , titled "Nanosecond time - resolved dual - comb absorption spectroscopy , " provides detailed insights into the technique , enabling others to replicate it . For media inquiries , please contact Rich Press at richard . press@nist . gov or ( 301 ) 975 - 0501 . This work was conducted at NIST Headquarters Laboratory Programs , specifically within the Material Measurement Laboratory and Chemical Sciences Division ' s Optical Measurements Group . Stay updated with NIST by signing up for their email updates . The paper was published on October 30 , 2023 , in Nature Photonics , with a DOI of 10 . 1038/s41566 - 023 - 01316 - 8 . To detect CO2 , the researchers utilized a special component called an optical parametric oscillator , which shifted the comb teeth from near - infrared to mid - infrared colors . However , this setup can also be adjusted to detect other molecules that absorb light in different regions of the mid - infrared . The paper provides information that other researchers can use to replicate a similar system in their own labs , making this new technique widely accessible across various research fields and industries .
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