Mid-infrared, interband-cascade, light-emitting devices (ICLEDs) have the potential to improve the performance of trace-gas sensors for air quality and greenhouse gas measurements. ICLEDs are broadband, incoherent, high-optical-power devices (up to ~5 mW continuous-wave at room temperature). We present an ICLED-based, methane sensor using a hollow-core fiber and direct absorption spectroscopy. A 1σ noise equivalent absorption of 0.17 ppmv CH4 at 1 Hz was achieved (1.13e-5 absorbance). Sub-ppmv methane detection is relevant for monitoring emissions near sources such as petrochemical infrastructure, agricultural activities, and wastewater treatment plants.
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