Overcoming sensitivity-bandwidth trade-off in mid-infrared spectroscopy by a microresonator-anchored swept laser
Optical frequency combs have revolutionized high-precision spectroscopy, yet an intrinsic trade-off between spectroscopic signal-to-noise ratio (sSNR) and measurement bandwidth ($B$) fundamentally constrains sensitive, broadband measurements. While broadband swept lasers offer a potential solution, generating broadband, ultrafast and linearly sweeping lasers with a narrow linewidth remains a significant challenge, particularly in the fingerprint mid-infrared (mid-IR) band. Here we overcome this limitation by using a microresonator-anchored ultrafast sweeping Fourier domain mode-locked (FDML) laser for mid-IR spectroscopy. We introduce a dual-microresonator-anchor approach: a microcomb provides frequency calibration and a high-Q microresonator resolves the instantaneous FDML lasing lineshape. The strategy enables accurate correction of the FDML laser's sweep nonlinearity and broad linewidth in the near-IR, allowing the FDML laser to function as a high-fidelity mid-IR light via difference frequency generation. The system achieves a record sSNR$\times$$B$ of 1.3$\times$10$^5$ THz$\cdot \sqrt{\rm Hz}$ and methane sensing precision of 9 ppb$\cdot$m$\cdot$$\sqrt{\rm s}$, while retaining GHz resolution to distinguish methane isotope. We further demonstrate broadband, coherent swept laser phase spectroscopy in the mid-IR, tolerating losses up to 78 dB. This work leverages advances in integrated photonics to overcome the fundamental limitations of precision spectroscopy, paving the way for next-generation, broadband, and ultra-sensitive mid-IR spectroscopic sensing systems.