Demonstration of a rapidly-swept external cavity quantum cascade laser for rapid and sensitive quantification of chemical mixtures

B. E. Brumfield, M. S. Taubman, M. C. Phillips

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

A rapidly-swept external-cavity quantum cascade laser with an open-path Herriott cell is used to quantify gas-phase chemical mixtures of D2O and HDO at an update rate of 40 Hz (25 ms measurement time). The chemical mixtures were generated by evaporating D2O liquid near the open-path Herriott cell, allowing the H/D exchange reaction with ambient H2O to produce HDO. Fluctuations in the ratio of D2O and HDO on timescales of < 1 s due to the combined effects of plume transport and the H/D exchange chemical reaction are observed. Based on a noise equivalent concentration analysis of the current system, detection limits of 147.0 ppbv and 151.6 ppbv in a 25 ms measurement time are estimated for D2O and HDO respectively with a 127 m optical path. These detection limits are reduced to 23.0 and 24.0 ppbv with a 1 s averaging time for D2O and HDO respectively. Detection limits < 200 ppbv are also estimated for N2O, F134A, CH4, Acetone, and SO2 for a 25 ms measurement time.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationQuantum Sensing and Nano Electronics and Photonics XIII
EditorsGail J. Brown, Manijeh Razeghi, Jay S. Lewis
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781628419900
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016
Externally publishedYes
EventQuantum Sensing and Nano Electronics and Photonics XIII - San Francisco, United States
Duration: Feb 14 2016Feb 18 2016

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume9755

Other

OtherQuantum Sensing and Nano Electronics and Photonics XIII
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco
Period2/14/162/18/16

Keywords

  • external cavity quantum cascade laser
  • infrared spectroscopy
  • trace gas sensing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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