Researchers at NIST have developed a compact infrared frequency comb system that can rapidly measure the entire infrared spectrum of light. This technology has potential applications in disease diagnosis, chemical identification, and biomass energy harvesting.
The new system uses fiber lasers to generate light spanning the mid-infrared to far-infrared wavelengths (3-27 micrometers), which is particularly useful for identifying molecules based on their unique absorption signatures. A key innovation is detecting the infrared electric fields using near-infrared photodiodes, which avoids the need for expensive and cryogenic infrared detectors.
The system was used to detect specific amide bands in a monoclonal antibody reference material, confirming its sheet-like protein structure. Potential future applications include quantum computing approaches that store data in molecular vibrations or rotations, and nanoscale imaging techniques that could replace larger synchrotron facilities.
Keywords: Spectroscopy, Infrared light, Frequency combs, Photodiodes, Electric fields
