1 November 2010 Interband cascade laser-based sensor for ambient CH4
David M. Sonnenfroh, Richard T. Wainner, Mark G. Allen, Ruth K. Varner
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Abstract
We demonstrate a mid-IR semiconductor laser-based absorption spectrometer for field measurements of ambient CH4. The field sensor uses a type II quantum cascade laser (or interband cascade laser, ICL) operating near 3.3 µm to monitor a well-isolated line in the 3 fundamental band of CH4. The ICL operates in cw mode at cryogenic temperatures. The sensor uses a multipass cell that provides an optical path of ~7 m with a 0.25-m base path. Thermoelectrically cooled InAs detectors are used along with balanced ratiometric detection to achieve a precision of 15 ppbv for a 60-s integration time. Several successful field demonstrations are carried out at sites maintained by the University of New Hampshire.
©(2010) Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)
David M. Sonnenfroh, Richard T. Wainner, Mark G. Allen, and Ruth K. Varner "Interband cascade laser-based sensor for ambient CH4," Optical Engineering 49(11), 111118 (1 November 2010). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.3498769
Published: 1 November 2010
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CITATIONS
Cited by 15 scholarly publications and 1 patent.
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KEYWORDS
Sensors

Quantum cascade lasers

Absorption

Mirrors

Methane

Spectroscopy

Climate change

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