Nathalie Picqué is a research group leader at the Max-Planck Institute of Quantum Optics (Garching, Germany). She was previously a tenured research scientist with the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) at Orsay (France). Her research focuses on exploring new ideas that involve laser frequency combs and on applying these novel concepts to metrology, molecular spectroscopy, holography and chip-scale sensing.

An optical frequency comb is a spectrum of narrow, evenly spaced, laser lines, which is often generated using an ultrashort-pulse mode-locked laser. An interferometer can be formed using two such frequency combs of slightly different line spacing. Without moving parts, dual-comb interferometers outperform state-of-the-art devices in an increasing number of applications including spectroscopy and holography, offering unique features such as frequency measurements, accuracy, precision, speed. The dual-comb interferometer is an interferometer where the time delay between pairs of interfering pulses is automatically scanned. Fundamentally different from any other type of spectrometers, it performs direct frequency measurements, without geometric limitations to resolution. For spectroscopy, ground-breaking consequences are: (i) unique combination of broad spectral span and Doppler-free resolution; (ii) recording speed: compared to conventional Fourier transform spectroscopy, recording times are shortened from seconds to microseconds; (iii) compactness: a high-resolution broadband gas-phase spectrometer on a photonic chip is demonstrated. Moreover, the capabilities of digital holography are augmented to novel optical diagnostics, such as precise dimensional metrology over large distances without interferometric phase ambiguity, or hyperspectral 3-D imaging with high spectral resolution.

Further Activities to have a look at

We use cookies and other technologies to collect data about your use of our site and about your browser, device and location. We process this data to help us understand how the site is used and to personalize our content and the advertising you see on this and other sites we also share this data with advertising, social media and analytics partners for the same purposes. By choosing “Accept All” you agree that we store cookies on your device and process the data for the aforementioned purposes . You may revoke your consent at any time by choosing the respective settings. For more information on the processing of personal data and what specific services we use see our Privacy Policy

Privacy Preference Center

We use cookies and other technologies to collect data about your use of our site and about your browser, device and location. We process this data to help us understand how the site is used and to personalize our content and the advertising you see on this and other sites we also share this data with advertising, social media and analytics partners for the same purposes. By choosing “Accept All” you agree that we store cookies on your device and process the data for the aforementioned purposes . You may revoke your consent at any time by choosing the respective settings. For more information on the processing of personal data and what specific services we use see our Privacy Policy

Necessary Cookies

These cookies are required to provide you with our site and its functions. Since storing these cookies is necessary for the provision of our site and its functions, you cannot disable them. If you block these cookies via you browser settings our site may not function properly.

Analyse Cookies

These cookies enable us to use website analytics in order to improve our site or provide you with personalized content. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages.

Marketing Cookies

These cookies enable us to use online marketing and advertising in order to provide you on this or on other sites with personalized advertisement. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages.