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Ultrasensitive gas detection by quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy in the fundamental molecular absorption bands region

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Abstract

A trace gas sensor based on quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy with a quantum cascade laser operating at 4.55 μm as an excitation source was developed. The sensor performance was evaluated for the detection of N2O and CO. A noise-equivalent (1σ) sensitivity of 4 ppbv N2O with 3 s response time to (1-1/e) of the steady-state level was demonstrated. The influence of the relevant energy transfer processes on the detection limits was analyzed. Approaches to improve the current sensor performance are also discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rice Quantum Institute, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77251-1892, USA

    A.A. Kosterev, Y.A. Bakhirkin & F.K. Tittel

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  1. A.A. Kosterev
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  2. Y.A. Bakhirkin
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  3. F.K. Tittel
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Correspondence to A.A. Kosterev.

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PACS

42.62.Fi; 43.35.Sx

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Kosterev, A., Bakhirkin, Y. & Tittel, F. Ultrasensitive gas detection by quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy in the fundamental molecular absorption bands region. Appl. Phys. B 80, 133–138 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-004-1619-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-004-1619-y

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