(GIST OF SCIENCE REPORTER) Frequency Comb

(DECEMBER-2025)

Frequency Comb

Frequency combs are an important modern tool which are used to calibrate atomic clocks and has various other applications.

About Frequency Comb:

• It is a special kind of laser light whose spectrum, or set of frequencies, resembles the teeth of a comb.

• Frequency combs are simple and compact tools that phase coherently connect the radio frequency domain (say below 100GHz) with the optical domain (say above 200THz).

Characteristics of Frequency Comb:

• Instead of containing just one colour (one frequency), it emits a large number of evenly spaced frequencies. The spacing is extremely regular.

• Frequency combs are widely-used, high-precision tools for measuring and detecting different frequencies colors — of light. 

• It has high stability and precision.

Applications of Frequency comb:

• It helps scientists compare an unknown light frequency to a stable reference with extraordinary precision. 

• It is an important modern tool to calibrate atomic clocks and measure shifts in light caused by gravity.

• It is used to detect explanets.

• It is also used in high-speed spectroscopy.

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Courtesy: Science Reporter