Mobile laser spectrometer with novel resonant multipass photoacoustic cell for trace-gas sensing

Abstract.

The development and application of a mobile laser-photoacoustic spectrometer for in situ multicomponent monitoring of trace gases in different environments is reported. Sub-ppbV (<10^-9 per volume)-concentrations can be measured with a novel resonant multipass photoacoustic cell. The cell is designed for flow mode operation in order to reduce adsorption effects. For ethene (C₂H₄) buffered in synthetic air a minimum detection limit of 70 ppt V (70×10^-12 per volume) is achieved corresponding to a minimum measurable absorption coefficient α_min=2×10^-9 cm^-1 for a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The multicomponent capability of the system is demonstrated with continuous sequential measurements of ethene, methanol, ethanol, CO₂, and H₂O of air from a fruit storage chamber.