Photoacoustic detection of volatile organic compounds

Marcus Wolff; Henry Bruhns; Wenyi Zhang

doi:10.1117/12.888966

6 May 2011 Photoacoustic detection of volatile organic compounds

Marcus Wolff, Henry Bruhns, Wenyi Zhang

Proceedings Volume 8073, Optical Sensors 2011; and Photonic Crystal Fibers V; 80730Z (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.888966
Event: SPIE Optics + Optoelectronics, 2011, Prague, Czech Republic

Abstract

We present first results of a research project that has the goal to develop an analyzer for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with extraordinarily high detection sensitivity and detection selectivity. Due to its high potential concerning these two key parameters, optical spectroscopy is employed. The new detection scheme is based on photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS). PA detection utilizes the fact, that the excitation energy of light absorbing molecules is essentially transferred into kinetic energy of the surrounding molecules via inelastic collisions. This causes a local pressure increase in the absorbing gas. If the excitation source is modulated, a sound wave is generated that can be detected by a microphone and phase-sensitively measured using a lock-in amplifier. A considerable challenge of this project is represented by the broad and strongly overlapping absorption bands of the hydrocarbons. Discrimination of the VOCs is possible only by using a spectrally tunable monochromatic radiation source in combination with a sophisticated data analysis algorithm. Therefore, we apply an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) with spectral emission between 3 and 4 μm.

Citation Download Citation

Marcus Wolff, Henry Bruhns, and Wenyi Zhang "Photoacoustic detection of volatile organic compounds", Proc. SPIE 8073, Optical Sensors 2011; and Photonic Crystal Fibers V, 80730Z (6 May 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.888966

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available