Abstract
Optical frequency combs have revolutionized time and frequency metrology by providing rulers in frequency space that measure large optical frequency differences and/or straightforwardly link microwave and optical frequencies. Such combs enable precision laser spectroscopy, tests of fundamental physics and provide the long-missing clockwork mechanism for optical clocks.
While frequency combs have become key to research areas such as attosecond science, or calibration of astronomical spectrographs, one of the most successful applications beyond their original purpose has been dual-comb interferometry. An interferometer can be formed using two frequency combs of slightly different line spacing. Dual-comb interferometers without moving parts are fundamentally different from any other type of interferometers: they perform direct frequency measurements, without geometric limitations to resolution. They outperform state-of-the-art devices in an increasing number of fields including spectroscopy and three-dimensional imaging, offering unique features such as frequency measurements, accuracy, precision, speed. This talk will provide a short introduction to optical frequency combs and will survey dual-comb interferometry and its latest exciting developments.
