Absolute spectroscopy of N_2O near 45 μm with a comb-calibrated, frequency-swept quantum cascade laser spectrometer

Abstract

We present absolute line center frequencies for 24 fundamental ν3 ro-vibrational P-branch transitions near 4.5 μm in N2O with an absolute expanded (multiplied by 2) frequency uncertainty of 800 kHz. The spectra are acquired with a swept laser spectrometer consisting of an external-cavity quantum cascade laser whose instantaneous frequency is continuously tracked against a near-infrared frequency comb. The measured absorbance profiles have a well-calibrated frequency axis, and are fitted to determine absolute line center values. We discuss the main sources of uncertainty.