  We report on a high-power mid-infrared frequency comb source based on a
femtosecond Er:fiber oscillator with a stabilized repetition rate at 250 MHz.
The mid-infrared frequency comb is produced through difference frequency
generation in a periodically poled MgO-doped lithium niobate crystal. The
output power is about 120 mW with a pulse duration of about 80 fs, and spectrum
coverage from 2.9 to 3.6 um. The coherence properties of the produced
high-power broadband mid-infrared frequency comb are maintained, which was
verified by heterodyne measurements. As the first application, the spectrum of
a ~200 ppm methane-air mixture in a short 20 cm glass cell at ambient
atmospheric pressure and temperature was measured.
