Infrared laser spectroscopy of molecular beams

Abstract

A new technique suitable for infrared laser spectroscopy of molecular beams is presented and tested. The metod is based on the detection of the power absorbed, as a modulated increase of power carried by the molecules to a microcalorimeter (a cryogenic bolometer), after the molecular beam has been crossed with the modulated output of a semiconductor diode laser. Sensitivity, resolution, and possible applications are briefly discussed.