Frequency comb analysis

A method for determining the identity of a sample, the method comprising the steps of:

• generating a frequency comb comprising a plurality of monochromatic spectral lines;
• illuminating a sample with at least one of said spectral lines;
• detecting a response to said illuminating step produced by said sample;
• and
• determining the identity of said sample based upon said response.

A method for transmitting information, the method comprising the steps of:

• generating a frequency comb comprising a plurality of monochromatic spectral lines;
• encoding information using at least one of said spectral lines as a carrier;
• and
• transmitting said information to a receiver via an optically transmissive medium.

A method for generating a frequency comb comprising a plurality of monochromatic spectral lines having a defined spacing in frequency space, the method comprising the steps of:

• operating a laser in a pulsed, mode locked manner;
• controlling a repetition rate, R, of said laser by controlling a selected one of a group velocity of light and a cavity length, where said repetition rate is given by the equation R=group velocity/(2 times the cavity length);
• and
• passing a train of laser pulses from said laser through an optical transmission medium having a constriction therein, generating thereby a frequency comb comprising a plurality of monochromatic spectral lines having a defined spacing in frequency space, the spacing being equal to the repetition rate of said laser.