Coherent-beam FTIR spectrometer with no moving parts

A novel type of FTIR spectroscopy based on two coherent frequency combs is demonstrated. All-electronic interferogram recording allows simultaneous amplitude and phase spectra, and fast spectrum acquisition in 100 /spl mu/s (1 /spl mu/s anticipated), enabling single-event analysis. Diffraction-limited propagation suggests use in remote sensing, classical microscopy and scattering-type near-field microscopy.