Abstract
We present an all solid state, transportable photoacoustic spectrometer for highly sensitive mid-infrared trace gas detection. A complete spectral coverage between 3.1 and 3.9 microm is obtained using a PPLN-based continuous-wave optical parametric oscillator pumped by a Nd:YAG laser at 1064 nm. A low threshold is achieved by resonating the pump, and spectral agility by employing a dual-cavity setup. An etalon suppresses mode-hops. Active signal cavity stabilization yields a frequency stability better than +/- 30 MHz over 45 minutes. Output idler power is 2 x 100 mW. The frequency tuning qualities of the OPO allow reliable scan over gas absorption structures. A detection limit of 110 ppt for ethane is achieved.
Highlights
Mid-infrared laser spectroscopy is a powerful tool for monitoring trace amounts of volatile organic compounds in biology, environmental analysis and medicine
We present an all solid state, transportable photoacoustic spectrometer for highly sensitive mid-infrared trace gas detection
A complete spectral coverage between 3.1 and 3.9 μm is obtained using a PPLN-based continuous-wave optical parametric oscillator pumped by a Nd:YAG laser at 1064 nm
Summary
Mid-infrared laser spectroscopy is a powerful tool for monitoring trace amounts of volatile organic compounds in biology, environmental analysis and medicine. These molecules possess strong absorption fingerprint spectra in the 3 μm wavelength region. A continuously tunable laser source is to be preferred, since it increases sensitivity and selectivity and allows an easier analysis of gas mixtures. To this end, cw difference frequency generation (DFG) and, with significantly higher power and the much better choice for PAS, optical parametric oscillators (OPO) have been employed [4,5,6,7]. This new OPO is applied in a transportable photoacoustic spectrometer
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