CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
Advanced Search
Home > Journals > Opt. Eng. > Volume 53 > Issue 2 > Article
Open Access
28 August 2013 High-sensitivity detection of trace gases using dynamic photoacoustic spectroscopy
Charles M. Wynn, Stephen T. Palmacci, Michelle L. Clark, Roderick R. Kunz
Author Affiliations +
Optical Engineering, Vol. 53, Issue 2, 021103 (August 2013). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.53.2.021103
Abstract
Lincoln Laboratory of Massachusetts Institute of Technology has developed a technique known as dynamic photoacoustic spectroscopy (DPAS) that could enable remote detection of trace gases via a field-portable laser-based system. A fielded DPAS system has the potential to enable rapid, early warning of airborne chemical threats. DPAS is a new form of photoacoustic spectroscopy that relies on a laser beam swept at the speed of sound to amplify an otherwise weak photoacoustic signal. We experimentally determine the sensitivity of this technique using trace quantities of SF 6 gas. A clutter-limited sensitivity of ∼100  ppt is estimated for an integration path of 0.43 m. Additionally, detection at ranges over 5 m using two different detection modalities is demonstrated: a parabolic microphone and a laser vibrometer. Its utility in detecting ammonia emanating from solid samples in an ambient environment is also demonstrated.
CC BY: © The Authors. Published by SPIE under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Unported License. Distribution or reproduction of this work in whole or in part requires full attribution of the original publication, including its DOI.
Citation Download Citation
Charles M. Wynn, Stephen T. Palmacci, Michelle L. Clark, and Roderick R. Kunz "High-sensitivity detection of trace gases using dynamic photoacoustic spectroscopy," Optical Engineering 53(2), 021103 (28 August 2013). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.53.2.021103
Published: 28 August 2013
JOURNAL ARTICLE
 6 PAGES
DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY
GET CITATION
Lens.org Logo
CITATIONS
Cited by 11 scholarly publications and 2 patents.
Advertisement
Advertisement
KEYWORDS
Photoacoustic spectroscopy
Acoustics
Signal detection
Signal to noise ratio
Gases
Absorption
Solids
RELATED CONTENT
Subscribe to Digital Library
Receive Erratum Email Alert
Back to Top