Absolute frequency stabilization of a QCL at 8.6 mu m by modulation transfer spectroscopy

Modulation transfer spectroscopy is used to demonstrate absolute frequency stabilization of an 8.6-mu m-wavelength quantum cascade laser against a sub-Doppler absorption of the CHF3 molecule. The obtained spectral emission properties are thoroughly characterized through a self-referenced optical frequency comb, stabilized against either a GPS-disciplined Rb clock or a 1.54-mu m Er-fiber laser locked to a high-finesse ultra-low-expansion optical cavity. Fractional long-term stability and accuracy at a level of 4 x 10(-12) (at 100 s) and 3 x 10(-10), respectively, are demonstrated, along with an emission linewidth as narrow as 10 kHz for observation times of 0.1 s. (C) 2020 Optical Society of America