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Ammonia trace measurements at ppb level based on near-IR photoacoustic spectroscopy

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Abstract

A photoacoustic sensor using a laser diode emitting near 1532 nm in combination with an erbium-doped fibre amplifier has been developed for ammonia trace gas analysis at atmospheric pressure. NH3 concentration measurements down to 6 ppb and a noise-equivalent detection limit below 3 ppb in dry air are demonstrated. Two wavelength-modulation schemes with 1f and 2f detection using a lock-in amplifier were investigated and compared to maximise the signal-to-noise ratio. A quantitative analysis of CO2 and H2O interference with NH3 is presented. Typical concentrations present in ambient air of 400 ppm CO2 and 1.15% H2O (50% relative humidity at 20 °C) result in a NH3 equivalent concentration of 36 ppb and 100 ppb, respectively.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nanophotonics and Metrology Laboratory, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland

    J.-P. Besson, S. Schilt & L. Thévenaz

  2. Omnisens SA, Riond-Bosson 3, 1110, Morges, Switzerland

    E. Rochat

Authors
  1. J.-P. Besson
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  2. S. Schilt
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  3. E. Rochat
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  4. L. Thévenaz
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Correspondence to J.-P. Besson.

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PACS

42.62.Fi; 43.35.Ud; 42.55.Px

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Besson, JP., Schilt, S., Rochat, E. et al. Ammonia trace measurements at ppb level based on near-IR photoacoustic spectroscopy. Appl. Phys. B 85, 323–328 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-006-2335-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-006-2335-6

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