Fraunhofer IPM has developed a dual-comb spectrometer that bridges the gap between Fourier-Transform-IR (FTIR) and Quantum/Interband-Cascade-Laser (QCL/ICL) systems. This spectrometer combines the advantages of both technologies, offering high resolution and sensitivity for mid-infrared (MIR) gas spectroscopy. The dual-comb spectroscopy principle uses two synchronized frequency combs with slightly different mode spacing to encode optical information into a radio frequency signal, which is then measured with a single photodetector. The system uses a continuous-wave laser at 1.55 μm, split into two beams, and generates combs via electro-optic modulation at slightly different frequencies. The near-infrared comb is converted to the MIR using a single-frequency optical parametric oscillator (OPO), allowing the system to cover the wavelength range between 3 and 5 μm. The system includes specialized software for system control, data acquisition, and processing, enabling continuous measurements, efficient data compression, and real-time analysis. The spectrometer is versatile, allowing for a wide range of applications, including rapid combustion analysis, process control, gas mixture certification, exhaust gas analysis, and the determination of stable carbon isotope ratios. It can also be used for multi-component atmospheric monitoring and the characterization of contaminants in hydrogen. The dual-comb spectrometer offers superior properties for many measurement tasks, with a resolution of 250-500 MHz (0.008-0.016 cm⁻¹), a typical concentration resolution of 2 ppb, and a noise equivalent absorption of 3 × 10⁻³. The system can detect up to 2000 spectral features. The Fraunhofer IPM spectrometer is a valuable tool for prototyping, referencing, and developing spectroscopic methods and systems. Contact them for more information on their capabilities for your application.Fraunhofer IPM has developed a dual-comb spectrometer that bridges the gap between Fourier-Transform-IR (FTIR) and Quantum/Interband-Cascade-Laser (QCL/ICL) systems. This spectrometer combines the advantages of both technologies, offering high resolution and sensitivity for mid-infrared (MIR) gas spectroscopy. The dual-comb spectroscopy principle uses two synchronized frequency combs with slightly different mode spacing to encode optical information into a radio frequency signal, which is then measured with a single photodetector. The system uses a continuous-wave laser at 1.55 μm, split into two beams, and generates combs via electro-optic modulation at slightly different frequencies. The near-infrared comb is converted to the MIR using a single-frequency optical parametric oscillator (OPO), allowing the system to cover the wavelength range between 3 and 5 μm. The system includes specialized software for system control, data acquisition, and processing, enabling continuous measurements, efficient data compression, and real-time analysis. The spectrometer is versatile, allowing for a wide range of applications, including rapid combustion analysis, process control, gas mixture certification, exhaust gas analysis, and the determination of stable carbon isotope ratios. It can also be used for multi-component atmospheric monitoring and the characterization of contaminants in hydrogen. The dual-comb spectrometer offers superior properties for many measurement tasks, with a resolution of 250-500 MHz (0.008-0.016 cm⁻¹), a typical concentration resolution of 2 ppb, and a noise equivalent absorption of 3 × 10⁻³. The system can detect up to 2000 spectral features. The Fraunhofer IPM spectrometer is a valuable tool for prototyping, referencing, and developing spectroscopic methods and systems. Contact them for more information on their capabilities for your application.