Fast Fourier transform spectroscopy with broadband strongly modulated quantum cascade lasers

The combination of speed and resolution is a fundamental figure of merit for Fourier transform spectroscopy. Here, we show that, by combining a fast rotational delay line with a strongly modulated quantum cascade laser (QCL), it is possible to perform broadband spectroscopy over a range of 175 cm−1, with a total effective integration time of about 6 s and a resolution of 0.03 cm−1. Remarkably, even though the resolution of the measurement is limited by the source, the interleaving technique can still be applied when the QCL is not in a frequency comb regime, considerably broadening the bandwidth of the instrument.