Accurate frequencies of molecular transitions used in laser stabilization: the 3.39-μm transition in CH4 and the 9.33- and 10.18-μm transitions in CO2

Abstract

The frequencies of three lasers stabilized to molecular absorptions were measured with an infrared-frequency synthesis chain extending upwards from the cesium frequency standard. The measured values are 29.442 483 315 (25) THz for the 10.18-μm R(30) transition in CO2, 32.134 266 891 (24) THz for the 9.33-μm R(10) transition in CO2, and 88.376 181 627 (50) THz for the 3.39-μm P(7) transition in CH4. The frequency of methane, when multiplied by the measured wavelength reported in the following letter, yields 299 792 456.2(1.1) m/sec for the speed of light.