Development of a Quantum Cascade Laser-Based Detector for Ammonia and Nitric Acid
We have developed a compact, robust, atmospheric trace gas detector based on mid-infrared absorption spectroscopy using pulsed quantum cascade (QC) lasers. The spectrometer is suitable for airborne measurements of ammonia, nitric acid, formaldehyde, formic acid, methane, nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and other gases that have line-resolved absorption spectra in the mid-infrared spectral region. The QC laser light source operates near room temperature with thermal electric cooling instead of liquid nitrogen which has been previously required for semiconductor lasers in the mid-infrared spectral region. The QC lasers have sufficient output power so that thermal electric cooled detectors may be used in many applications with lower precision requirements. The instrument developed in this program has been used in several field campaigns from both the Aerodyne Mobile Laboratory and from the NOAA WP3 aircraft. The Phase II program has resulted in more than 10 archival publications describing the technology and its applications. Over 12 instruments based on this design have been sold to research groups in Europe and the United States making the program both a commercial as well as a technological success. Anticipated Benefits The development of a sensitive, cryogen-free, mid-infrared absorption method for atmospheric trace gas detection will have wide benefits for atmospheric and environmental research and broader potential commercial applications in areas such as medical diagnostic and industrial process monitoring of gaseous compounds. Examples include air pollution monitoring, breath analysis, combustion exhaust diagnostics, and plasma diagnostics for semi-conductor fabrication. The substitution of near-room temperature QC lasers for cryogenic lead salt TDLs and the resulting simplifications in instrument design and operation will greatly expand the range of applications.
- Research Organization:
- Aerodyne Research, Inc., Billerica, MA
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE - Office of Energy Research (ER)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG02-01ER83139
- OSTI ID:
- 862034
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ER/83139-1; ARI-RR-1409; TRN: US200710%%286
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ABSORPTION SPECTRA
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
AMMONIA
CARBON MONOXIDE
FORMIC ACID
LASERS
LIGHT SOURCES
NITRIC ACID
NITROGEN DIOXIDE
NITROUS OXIDE
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
SEMICONDUCTOR LASERS
Atmospheric gases
infrared spectroscopy
quantum cascade laser
air pollution monitoring