Abstract: A linear absorption spectrometer includes: a laser light source that provides mid-infrared laser light; a high finesse optical resonator that includes: a sample cell operating at a temperature from 220 K to 300 K during linear absorption of mid-infrared laser light by radiocarbon and including: a linear absorption optical path length greater than a kilometer; a first zero-pressure difference mirror mount on which a first supermirror is disposed; a second zero-pressure difference mirror mount on which a second supermirror is disposed; an optical switch interposed between the laser light source and the high finesse optical resonator that modulates and communicates mid-infrared laser light to the high finesse optical resonator; a photoreceiver that receives cavity ring down light and includes a noise equivalent power that is less than a shot noise limit of cavity ring down light.

Abstract: A linear absorption spectrometer includes: a laser light source that provides mid-infrared laser light; a high finesse optical resonator that includes: a sample cell operating at a temperature from 220 K to 300 K during linear absorption of mid-infrared laser light by radiocarbon and including: a linear absorption optical path length greater than a kilometer; a first zero-pressure difference mirror mount on which a first supermirror is disposed; a second zero-pressure difference mirror mount on which a second supermirror is disposed; an optical switch interposed between the laser light source and the high finesse optical resonator that modulates and communicates mid-infrared laser light to the high finesse optical resonator; a photoreceiver that receives cavity ring down light and includes a noise equivalent power that is less than a shot noise limit of cavity ring down light.

Abstract: A comb source includes a continuous wave frequency source to provide a continuous wave radiation; a first modulator in optical communication with the continuous wave frequency source; a second modulator in optical communication with continuous wave frequency source; and a waveform driver in electrical communication with the first modulator and the second modulator. A process for producing an analyte spectrum includes producing a first comb from a continuous wave frequency and a first waveform; producing a reference comb and a probe comb from the first comb; subjecting a sample to the probe comb; producing a sample comb in response to subjecting the sample to the probe comb; producing a composite comb from the reference comb and the sample comb; producing a second comb from the continuous wave frequency and a second waveform; and combining the second comb and the composite comb to produce the analyte spectrum.

Abstract: A comb source includes a continuous wave frequency source to provide a continuous wave radiation; a first modulator in optical communication with the continuous wave frequency source; a second modulator in optical communication with continuous wave frequency source; and a waveform driver in electrical communication with the first modulator and the second modulator.