Quantum-limited laser frequency-modulation spectroscopy

Manfred Gehrtz, Gary C. Bjorklund, Edward A. Whittaker

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

171 Scopus citations

Abstract

Frequency-modulation (FM) spectroscopy permits high-resolution, high-sensitivity, easily calibrated absorption measurements of atomic and molecular species and narrow spectral features in solids. This paper reviews some important developments in laser FM spectroscopy, from its inception as a spectroscopic tool to the demonstration of quantum-limited absorption measurements, emphasizing the sensitivity limitations caused by residual amplitude modulation (RAM). Moreover, a detailed account is presented of a new double-beam, single-detector tech-nique that efficiently suppresses the RAM and permits quantum-limited performance to be achieved in laser FM spectroscopy. We also include some recent results of the first reported FM spectroscopic investigations of the NO2 molecule.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1510-1526
Number of pages17
JournalJournal of the Optical Society of America B: Optical Physics
Volume2
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1985

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