Time-domain measurement of optical activity by an ultrastable common-path interferometer

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Abstract
We introduce a novel configuration for the broadband measurement of the optical activity of molecules, combining time-domain detection with heterodyne amplification. A birefringent common-path polarization-division interferometer creates two phase-locked replicas of the input light with orthogonal polarization. The more intense replica interacts with the sample, producing a chiral free-induction decay field, which interferes with the other replica, acting as a time-delayed phase-coherent local oscillator. By recording the delay-dependent interferogram, we obtain by a Fourier transform both the circular dichroism and circular birefringence spectra. Our compact, low-cost setup accepts ultrashort light pulses, making it suitable for measurement of transient optical activity.
Funding Information
  • H2020 European Research Council (ERC) (291198, 648615, 754802)
  • Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung (SNF) (200020_143487)

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