File:Dual comb schematic.png

English: Schematic of a dual-comb spectroscopy setup using chip-scale silicon nanophotonics. The dual "frequency comb" is generated in the device on the right, which is a microscope image of the fabricated chip. The many wavelengths generated by this device are then sent through a sample holder cuvette containing the chemical to be detected or analyzed, and the transmitted wavelengths are analyzed in the radiofrequency domain, similar to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. On the microscope image, one can see the silicon nitride waveguides (translucent lines and rings), and the platinum heaters (white strips) on top of them. This entire technique is called a dual comb spectrometer, which is 10,000 times faster than conventional spectrometers, yet takes up only a fraction of a penny of space - illustrating the power of nanotechnology. A conventional spectrometer with such power would take up space equivalent to a dozen cereal boxes.