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Detection of methane in air using diode-laser pumped difference-frequency generation near 3.2 μm

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Abstract

Spectroscopic detection of the methane in natural air using an 800 nm diode laser and a diode-pumped 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser to produce tunable light near 3.2 µm is reported. The lasers were pump sources for ring-cavity-enhanced tunable difference-frequency mixing in AgGaS2. IR frequency tuning between 3076 and 3183 cm−1 was performed by crystal rotation and tuning of the extended-cavity diode laser. Feedback stabilization of the IR power reduced intensity noise below the detector noise level. Direct absorption and wavelength-modulation (2f) spectroscopy of the methane in natural air at 10.7 kPa (80 torr) were performed in a 1 m single-pass cell with 1 µW probe power. Methane has also been detected using a 3.2 µm confocal build-up cavity in conjunction with an intracavity absorption cell. The best methane detection limit observed was 12 ppb m (Hz.)−1/2.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Chemistry, Rice University, 77251-1892, Houston, TX, USA

    K. P. Petrov, U. Simon, R. F. Curl & F. K. Tittel

  2. Time and Frequency Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 325 Broadway, 80303, Boulder, CO, USA

    S. Waltman & L. Hollberg

  3. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 325 Broadway, 80303, Boulder, CO, USA

    E. J. Dlugokencky

Authors
  1. K. P. Petrov
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  2. S. Waltman
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  3. U. Simon
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  4. R. F. Curl
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  5. F. K. Tittel
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  6. E. J. Dlugokencky
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  7. L. Hollberg
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Petrov, K.P., Waltman, S., Simon, U. et al. Detection of methane in air using diode-laser pumped difference-frequency generation near 3.2 μm. Appl. Phys. B 61, 553–558 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01091213

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01091213

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