Photoacoustic Spectroscopy Method Research Articles

High performance filtering and high-sensitivity concentration retrieval of methane in photoacoustic spectroscopy utilizing deep learning residual networks

A novel method is introduced to improve the detection performance of photoacoustic spectroscopy for trace gas detection. For effectively suppressing various types of noise, this method integrates photoacoustic spectroscopy with residual networks model which encompasses a total of 40 weighted layers. Firstly, this approach was employed to accurately retrieve methane concentrations at various levels. Secondly, the analysis of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of multiple sets of photoacoustic spectroscopy signals revealed significant enhancement. The SNR was improved from 21 to 805, 52–962, 98–944, 188–933, 310–941, and 587–936 across the different concentrations, respectively, as a result of the application of the residual networks. Finally, further exploration for the measurement precision and stability of photoacoustic spectroscopy system utilizing residual networks was carried out. The measurement precision of 0.0626 ppm was obtained and the minimum detectable limit was found to be 1.47 ppb. Compared to traditional photoacoustic spectroscopy method, an approximately 46-fold improvement in detection limit and 69-fold enhancement in measurement precision were achieved, respectively. This method not only advances the measurement precision and stability of trace gas detection but also highlights the potential of deep learning algorithms in spectroscopy detection.

Ammonia measurement in human breath of subjects with Helicobacter pylori using photoacoustic spectroscopy.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a type of bacteria that infects the stomach. The detection of H. pylori is an essential part of current clinical practices because this disease can cause peptic ulcers, chronic inflammation of the stomach lining but also stomach cancer. Helicobacter pylori has a naturally occurring enzyme that hydrolyzes urea into ammonium carbonate called urease. Many methods exist for the detection of H. pylori infection, but an innovative approach is to detect the ammonia in the breath (ABT, Ammonia Breath Test). In this research study, using photoacoustic spectroscopy method, the ammonia concentration in the breathing zone of people with H. pylori were measured and were compared with ammonia concentration from the respiration of healthy people. From the ABT determinations of this study, the ammonia was established to be increased with 498 ppb at people with H. pylori when we compare with ABT of healthy people.

Photoacoustic Spectroscopy-Based Breath Analysis for SIBO.

Breath hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4) monitoring play an important role in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal disorders, such as lactose intolerance and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). In this paper, the photoacoustic spectroscopy method is used for H2 gas and CH4 gas detection. We present a novel approach for H2 gas concentration measurement, which is the linear relationship between the resonant frequency of breath carbon dioxide (CO2) and the H2 concentration in a resonant photoacoustic cell. Experimental results show that the minimum detectable limits of H2, CH4, and CO2 are calculated to be 8.86, 0.56, and 145.14 ppm, respectively, which can meet the requirements of breath diagnosis.

Dependence of the Michelson Interferometer-Based Membrane-Less Optical Microphone–Photoacoustic Spectroscopy Gas-Sensing Method on the Fundamental Parameters of a Photoacoustic Gas Cell

This article presents a mathematical model of the Michelson interferometer (MI)-based membrane-less optical microphone (MeoM)–photoacoustic spectroscopy (MeoM–PAS) method, which is also referred to as MI-based photoacoustic interferometry (PAI), for gas-sensing applications in complex and adverse environments, as it offers a completely static measurement system and the separation of a photoacoustic (PA) gas cell from the measuring system. It also investigates the dependence of this method on the fundamental parameters of a cubical PA gas cell using axial PA signals. The results indicate that the phase of the method is a sine function of the distance between the two light beams and a power exponent of the cell length, the cell height, and the distance between the excitation source and the nearest light beam, under the condition that the PA gas cell is resonant and that the excitation source is at the position of the peak or valley of the PA signals. It is at its maximum when the distance between the two light beams is approximately half the wavelength of the PA signals under the same conditions. In addition, the dependence of a PA gas cell using non-axial PA signals is described under the conditions that the PA gas cell is resonant, which is consistent with the changing aforementioned parameters for the distance between the two light beams, the cell length and height, and the distance between the excitation source and the nearest light beam. Furthermore, the selection of five common materials (aluminum, brass, glass, quartz, and stainless steel) for the PA gas cell is discussed under the influence of temperature fluctuations outside the PA gas cell, noise inside and outside the PA gas cell, as well as thermal and viscous losses inside the PA gas cell. The results indicate that quartz and stainless steel are promising options. Finally, the parameters related to the sensitivity enhancement of the method are analyzed using mathematical models, where the sensitivity of the method can be theoretically enhanced by reducing the dimensions of the PA gas cell.

Simultaneous measurement of NO and NO2 by dual-channel cavity photoacoustic spectroscopy technique

The levels of nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen oxide (NO2) are trace gases in the order of ppb, which are the main products of fossil fuel, anthropogenic combustion, natural lightning and microbial emissions, and are important for further analysis of air quality. Photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) technique, which is based on absorption at the wavelength of 403.65 nm, has been used for NO2 measurements. In this study, a dual-channel PAS system for NO2 and NOx detection is reported. The PAS method is capable of measuring species with good sensitivity and accuracy. The calibrated slopes of photoacoustic cavity A and B are 0.040 μv/ppb and 0.039 μv/ppb, respectively. And the detection limits of the developed PAS system for NO2 and NOx measurements are estimated to be about 1.47 ppb (3σ, 60 s) and 1.50 ppb (3σ, 60 s), respectively. In order to reduce the influence of local noise, the photoacoustic cavity with multiple buffer partitions is designed and the corresponding photoacoustic frequency of the photoacoustic pool is analyzed. The sound pressure value and resonance frequency of the photoacoustic pool gradually decrease with the increase of the number of buffer partitions, but the amplitude is small. The relationship between the gas absorption cross section, volume fraction, laser power and photoacoustic excitation signal is derived. After deducting the influence of local noise, the photoacoustic response gradients of dual-channel cavities are obtained, the linear fitting of the response gradient of both cavities is good, the correlation R2 is greater than 0.99, and the fitting slope is 0.040 and 0.039 respectively. The influence of O3 generated by photolysis of the mercury lamp is considered under different NO level conditions. An intercomparison between the system and a cavity ring-down system (CRDS) independently developed by our research group showed a good agreement for measuring the ambient atmosphere NO2 gas. The results of NO2 showed a linear correction factor (R2) of 0.943 in a slope of 0.944 ± 0.002, with an offset of (0.636 ± 0.021) ppb. The accuracy of NO2 measurement by the photoacoustic spectroscopy system was verified. In addition, the simultaneous measurement of NO and NO2 by dual-channel cavity photoacoustic spectroscopy technique was deployed. These observations indicate that NO2 and NO concentrations can be effectively observed with the dual-channel PAS instrument.

Effect of Wearing Surgical Face Masks on Gas Detection from Respiration Using Photoacoustic Spectroscopy.

Wearing surgical face masks is among the measures taken to mitigate coronavirus disease (COVID-19) transmission and deaths. Lately, concern was expressed about the possibility that gases from respiration could build up in the mask over time, causing medical issues related to the respiratory system. In this research study, the carbon dioxide concentration and ethylene in the breathing zone were measured before and immediately after wearing surgical face masks using the photoacoustic spectroscopy method. From the determinations of this study, the C2H4 was established to be increased by 1.5% after one hour of wearing the surgical face mask, while CO2 was established to be at a higher concentration of 1.2% after one hour of wearing the surgical face mask, when the values were correlated with the baseline (control).

Elliptical-tube off-beam quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy

We propose an elliptical-tube off-beam quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (EO-QEPAS) method in which an elliptical tube is employed as an acoustic resonator, instead of a circular resonator in QEPAS, to match the stripe-like beam emitted from a high-power multimode laser diode (MLD). A lower noise level than that of conventional QEPAS is achieved due to the optimal matching between the elliptical resonator and the beam profile, hence resulting in a ∼3 times higher signal-to-noise ratio gain factor compared with the circular resonator. The parameters of the elliptical resonator are optimized, and a 1σ normalized noise equivalent absorption coefficient of 3.4 × 10−8 cm−1 W/Hz1/2 is obtained for dry NO2 detection at normal atmospheric pressure. EO-QEPAS paves the way for developing compact, cost-effective, and highly sensitive gas sensors based on the combination of MLDs and QEPAS.

Evaluation of a multiple microemulsion from Trichilia catigua extract and the percutaneous penetration through skin by Phase-Resolved photoacoustic spectroscopy

Emulsion systems have been a breakthrough in cosmetic products, providing performance and effectiveness of products that use this technological strategy for drug delivery systems. In this sense, the microemulsion of the multiple emulsion W/O/W type containing a standardized extract of Trichilia catigua with high levels of polyphenols and antioxidants has great potential for cosmetic use. The aim of this study was to evaluate the formulations safety through the analysis of toxicity, comedogenicity, and histopathology in rabbits and apply the Phase-Resolved Photoacoustic Spectroscopy method to determine the formulation percutaneous penetration through the skin. The ex vivo experiments were performed in the ears of albino New Zealand rabbits treated twice a day for 14 days. The results of histological, hematological, and blood chemistry showed that the formulations are safe. Histopathological analysis showed no tissue reaction in any of the analyzed organs (liver and kidneys), confirming the absence of toxicity. Histological analysis showed that the formulations with extract of T. catigua demonstrated mild-moderately comedogenic and acanthosis compared to the control group. Inflammatory reactions, erythema, and desquamation were not observed in treated and controls animals. The phase-resolved photoacoustic spectroscopy method showed the penetration of the developed formulations throughout the rabbit's skin, identifying their absorption bands at the dermal side of the skin. In conclusion, the results of this study provide a step towards the application of the developed natural antioxidant encapsulated in a multiple microemulsion for skincare, concerned with the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the formulation.

RETRACTED: Designing a miniaturized photoacoustic sensor for detecting hydrogen gas

In this paper, photoacoustic spectroscopy method is used for hydrogen gas detection. In order to improve the performance of the sensor, we have used a miniaturized dumbbell-shaped cell containing two buffer volumes and a resonator. The coupled photoacoustic equations have been solved in gaseous environment using finite-element-method and by corresponding validation. The impacts of various effective parameters such as frequency response, quality factor, acoustic pressure and heat have been analyzed. Frequency analysis in the hydrogen gas medium leads to the first natural frequency of the sensor at 88.563 kHz which has 65 kHz difference with the second natural frequency. By studying the behavior of the resonance frequencies of the proposed system, the optimum location for the sensor positioning of the designed system has been investigated for different gases and the results show that the designed photoacoustic sensor has the fingerprint feature for detecting hydrogen gas. Moreover, the results of the cell filled by hydrogen gas have been compared to those obtained from other gases such as propane, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The performance of the system is also evaluated for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The analysis of the proposed miniature system shows a significant improvement in the quality factor as well as the reduction in system losses.

Smart Material Serves Other Smart Materials: Comparison of Measurement of CO2 Concentration by Optical and Optoacoustic Methods

In this study, we compare the sensitivity of the Wavelength Modulation Spectroscopy (WMS) to the Quartz enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (QEPAS) method on a sample of CO2 gas at various concentrations. We show the advantages of the QEPAS method, the essential part of which is a crystalline segment made of smart material.

Differential Continuous Wave Photoacoustic Spectroscopy for Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring

In vivo and in vitro studies of differential continuous wave photoacoustic spectroscopy (DCW-PAS) for non-invasive blood glucose monitoring were performed. The DCW-PAS technique utilizes amplitude modulation of dual wavelengths of light to determine changes in glucose concentration. The study compared DCW-PAS measurements with results from invasive blood glucose sensor measurements during oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) of healthy people. The trends in blood glucose levels (BGLs) obtained from invasive sensors and from the photoacoustic signal have good agreement, with the standard error and correlation coefficient against BGLs of 48 mg/dL or less and 0.80, respectively. Our proposed photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) method shows high potential for use in a non-invasive BGL sensor.

Towards low-cost QEPAS sensors for nitrogen dioxide detection

Increasing awareness of the adverse health effects of air pollution leads to a demand of low-cost sensors for the measurement of pollutants such as NO2. However, commercially available low-cost sensors lack accuracy and long-term stability, and suffer from cross-sensitivity to other gases. These drawbacks can be overcome by the method of quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (QEPAS). In QEPAS modulated light is absorbed by the NO2 molecules, which results in the production of a sound wave. The sound wave is detected by resonance of a quartz tuning fork, which results in a measurable electric signal. Due to the small size of the tuning forks, the gas sensing element can be smaller than 1 cm3. We present the first bare fork QEPAS setup for the ppb-level detection of NO2, which is ideally suited for environmental trace gas detection without the need of using micro-resonators. Micro-resonators are commonly used to amplify photoacoustic signals. However, micro-resonators have different dependencies on environmental conditions than tuning forks, which makes them difficult to operate in changing conditions. In contrast, our bare fork QEPAS setup is more robust and easily adopted by the use of a low-cost temperature and humidity sensor. By using acoustic filters the integration time could be increased to offer higher sensitivity at a continuous flow rate of 200 std cm3 min−1. The 1σ noise equivalent concentration is determined to 21 ppb NO2 in synthetic air for 120 s measurement time, allowing detection which satisfies international health and safety standards thresholds.

Cavity-enhanced cantilever-enhanced photo-acoustic spectroscopy.

We have improved the sensitivity of a state-of-the-art cantilever-enhanced photo-acoustic trace gas sensor by combining it with an optical power build-up cavity. The build-up cavity enhances the photo-acoustic signal by a factor of ∼100, resulting in an exceptionally good normalised noise equivalent absorption (NNEA) value of 1.75 × 10-12 W cm-1 Hz-1/2. We demonstrate the sensor platform in the 1530 nm wavelength range with a simple distributed feedback diode laser, achieving 75 ppt sensitivity for C2H2 with a 10 s integration time.

Application of laser-based photoacoustic spectroscopy and colorimetry for quantification of anthocyanin in hard boiled candy

The analytical performance of the newly proposed laser-based photoacoustic spectroscopy (LPAS) and colorimetric method for quantification of anthocyanin (E163) in commercially available hard boiled candies are compared to that of the spectrophotometry (SP). Both LPAS and colorimetry are direct methods that unlike SP do not require the extraction of the analyte or some additional sample treatment. Results indicate that LPAS and colorimetry are both suitable for quickly screening content of anthocyanin in hard boiled candies. The correlation between the two methods and spectrophotometry is linear with R2=0.9989 for LPAS and R2=0.9570 for colorimetry.

Step-scan differential Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy (DFTIR-PAS): a spectral deconvolution method for weak absorber detection in the presence of strongly overlapping background absorptions.

The determination of small absorption coefficients of trace gases in the atmosphere constitutes a challenge for analytical air contaminant measurements, especially in the presence of strongly absorbing backgrounds. A step-scan differential Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy (DFTIR-PAS) method was developed to suppress the coherent external noise and spurious photoacoustic (PA) signals caused by strongly absorbing backgrounds. The infrared absorption spectra of acetylene (C2H2) and local air were used to verify the performance of the step-scan DFTIR-PAS method. A linear amplitude response to C2H2 concentrations from 100 to 5000ppmv was observed, leading to a theoretical detection limit of 5ppmv. The differential mode was capable of eliminating the coherent noise and dominant background gas signals, thereby revealing the presence of the otherwise hidden C2H2 weak absorption. Thus, the step-scan DFTIR-PAS modality was demonstrated to be an effective approach for monitoring weakly absorbing gases with absorption bands overlapped by strongly absorbing background species.

Ultrasonic photoacoustic spectroscopy of trace hazardous chemicals using quantum cascade laser

We report an ultrasonic sensor based on open-cell photoacoustic spectroscopy method for the detection of explosive agents in traces. Experimentally, we recorded photoacoustic spectra of traces of hazardous explosives and molecules. Tunable mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers in the wavelength range 7.0–8.8µm lying in the molecular fingerprint region are used as optical source. Samples of Pentaerylthirol Tetranitrate (PETN), Tetranitro-triazacyclohexane (RDX), Dinitrotoluene, p-Nitrobenzoic acid and other chemicals like Ibuprofen having quantity ~1.0mg were detected using a custom made photoacoustic cells in both open and closed configurations. The explosive traces were swiped using paper from contaminated surface and detected. Finite element mesh based simulation of photoacoustic cell is carried out for optimization of geometry at ultrasonic frequency (40kHz). A point sensor based on above approach will be very effective for forensic applications and suspicious material screening.

Step-Scan T-Cell Fourier Transform Infrared Photoacoustic Spectroscopy (FTIR-PAS) for Monitoring Environmental Air Pollutants

Air pollutants have adverse effects on the Earth’s climate system. There is an urgent need for cost-effective devices capable of recognizing and detecting various ambient pollutants. An FTIR photoacoustic spectroscopy (FTIR-PAS) method based on a commercial FTIR spectrometer developed for air contamination monitoring will be presented. A resonant T-cell was determined to be the most appropriate resonator in view of the low-frequency requirement and space limitations in the sample compartment. Step-scan FTIR-PAS theory for regular cylinder resonator has been described as a reference for prediction of T-cell vibration principles. Both simulated amplitude and phase responses of the T-cell show good agreement with measurement data Carbon dioxide IR absorption spectra were used to demonstrate the capacity of the FTIR-PAS method to detect ambient pollutants. The theoretical detection limit for carbon dioxide was found to be 4 ppmv. A linear response to carbon dioxide concentration was found in the range from 2500 ppmv to 5000 ppmv. The results indicate that it is possible to use step-scan FTIR-PAS with a T-cell as a quantitative method for analysis of ambient contaminants.

Synthesis and charge-discharge performance of Li5SiN3 as a cathode material of lithium secondary batteries

Li5SiN3 crystals are synthesized by direct reaction between Li3N and Si3N4 with the molar ratio Li3N/Si3N4 of 10:1. Reaction is performed at 1073 K for 1 h under a nitrogen atmosphere of 700 Torr. The lattice constant determined by the X-ray powder diffraction method is 4.718 A. Four broad Raman peaks are observed at 196, 286, 580, and 750 cm−1. By analogy with LiMgN, the broad peak at 580 cm−1 with a half width of 140 cm−1 is attributed to homogenously random distribution of Li and Si atoms. The band gap of Li5SiN3 is found to be a direct gap of about 2.5 eV by optical absorption and photoacoustic spectroscopy methods. Comparison with the conventional cathode materials for lithium ion batteries, this gap value is close to d-d transition energy of Mn in LiMn2O4 (1.63 eV or 2.00 eV) and that of Co in LiCoO2 (2.1 eV), suggesting that Li5SiN3 is a possible cathode material. The 5 × 5 mm2-sized lithium secondary battery of Li5SiN3 cathode/propylene carbonate + LiClO4 electrolyte/Li anode structure shows a discharge capacity of 2.4 μAh cm−2 for a discharge current of 1.0 μA.

Testing fruit quality by photoacoustic spectroscopy assay

This study was conducted with the aim of testing the hypothesis that raspberry and strawberry fruits from nonorganic farming release more ethylene gas compounds compared to organic ones. At the same time, the experiments focused on evaluation of the potential and capabilities of the laser photoacoustic spectroscopy (LPAS) method in the assessment of fruit quality related to the effects of nitrogen. Ethylene gas can be harmful and carcinogenic, because it can accelerate the natural ripening process of physiologically mature fruits and makes the fruits more consistent in size.With the advantages of LPAS, we demonstrate that the concentration of ethylene from nonorganic raspberry and strawberry fruits is greater than from organic ones.

Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy as a potential tool in assessing the role of diet in cuticular chemical composition of Ectatomma brunneum.

The cuticular chemical composition plays a significant role in the recognition of nest mates in social insects, thus functioning as a chemical signature of the colony. The structure of cuticular chemicals is subject to interference from genetic and exogenous factors, including diet. In this study, various colonies of the Ectatomma brunneum ant were removed from their natural environment and housed in a laboratory to monitor the response of the cuticular chemical composition to dietary changes. Analyses were performed using gas chromatography and Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy, which has not been previously used for this type of analysis. The results indicate that this method is useful for analyzing biological and natural systems. We observed changes in the chemical signature with food traces in the first 30 days under feed control. Therefore, genetic information may not be the only criterion that can be used to describe the chemical signature of a species; environmental variations also influence recognition signals. Furthermore, these results reinforce the reliability of the Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy method.