Kavli Affiliate: Kerry Vahala
| First 5 Authors: Stephan Amann, Stephan Amann, , ,
| Summary:
Optical frequency combs have revolutionised time and frequency metrology [1,
2]. The advent of microresonator-based frequency combs (‘microcombs’ [3-5]) is
set to lead to the miniaturisation of devices that are ideally suited to a wide
range of applications, including microwave generation [6, 7], ranging [8-10],
the precise calibration of astronomical spectrographs [11], neuromorphic
computing [12, 13], high-bandwidth data communications[14], and quantum-optics
[15, 16] platforms. Here, we introduce a new microcomb application for
three-dimensional imaging. Our method can simultaneously determine the chemical
identity and full three-dimensional geometry, including size, shape, depth, and
spatial coordinates, of particulate matter ranging from micrometres to
millimetres in size across nearly $10^5$ distinct image pixels. We demonstrate
our technique using millimetre-sized plastic specimens (i.e. microplastics
measuring less than 5 mm). We combine amplitude and phase analysis and achieve
a throughput exceeding $1.2~10^6$ pixels per second with micrometre-scale
precision. Our method leverages the defining feature of microcombs – their
large line spacing – to enable precise spectral diagnostics using microcombs
with a repetition frequency of 1 THz. Our results suggest scalable operation
over several million pixels and nanometre-scale axial resolution. Coupled with
its high-speed, label-free and multiplexed capabilities, our approach provides
a promising basis for environmental sensing, particularly for the real-time
detection and characterisation of microplastic pollutants in aquatic ecosystems
[17].
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