Comment on "Retrieval of phase relation and emission profile of quantum cascade laser frequency combs''

Abstract

A recent publication on arXiv:1905.00668 suggests that the phase relationship within a frequency comb can be reconstructed from a heterodyne measurement using a reference comb. In principle, following this approach, such retrieval of optical phases appears possible, but should give rise to a temporally constant signal. Instead, arXiv:1905.00668 provides experimental evidence for a pronounced relative drift of the phases, which indicates that the modes of the comb are not coherently phase-locked. This temporal drift can be explained if the comb under test is not equidistant. This further means that the underlying temporal waveform is not repetitive and cannot be compressed into a coherent short pulse. This artifact severely hampers suggested applications of quantum cascade lasers in precision metrology. Moreover, the notion of designating multi-mode quantum cascade lasers as frequency combs appears questionable.