Phase-stabilized 100 mW frequency comb near 10 μm

Long-wavelength mid-infrared (MIR) frequency combs with high power and flexible tunability are highly desired for molecular spectroscopy, including investigation of large molecules such as C 60 . We present a high power, phase-stabilized frequency comb near 10 μm, generated by a synchronously pumped, singly resonant optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on AgGaSe 2 . The OPO can be continuously tuned from 8.4 to 9.5 μm, with a maximum average idler power of 100 mW at the center wavelength of 8.5 μm. Both the repetition rate ( f rep ) and the carrier-envelope offset frequency ( f ceo ) of the idler wave are phase-locked to microwave signals referenced to a Cs clock. We describe the detailed design and construction of the frequency comb, and discuss potential applications for precise and sensitive direct frequency comb spectroscopy.