Sensitivity of long-wave infrared intracavity laser absorption vapor detector

Gautam Medhi; Chris J. Fredricksen; Robert E. Peale; Andrey V. Muravjov; Oliver J. Edwards

doi:10.1117/12.909205

6 February 2012 Sensitivity of long-wave infrared intracavity laser absorption vapor detector

Gautam Medhi, Chris J. Fredricksen, Robert E. Peale, Andrey V. Muravjov, Oliver J. Edwards

Proceedings Volume 8236, Laser Resonators, Microresonators, and Beam Control XIV; 82361J (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.909205
Event: SPIE LASE, 2012, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

A quantum cascade laser at IR wavelengths with an open external cavity presents an opportunity for spectral sensing of molecular compounds that have low vapor pressure. The sensitivity of such a system is potentially very high due to extraordinarily long effective optical paths that can be achieved in an active cavity. We demonstrate here an external cavity mid-IR QCL molecular absorption sensor using a fixed Fabry-Perot etalon as the spectrum analyzer. The system is sensitive to the water vapor present in the laboratory air with an absorption coefficient of just 9.6 x 10^-8 cm^-1. The system is sensitive enough to detect the absorption coefficient of TNT vapor at room temperature.

Citation Download Citation

Gautam Medhi, Chris J. Fredricksen, Robert E. Peale, Andrey V. Muravjov, and Oliver J. Edwards "Sensitivity of long-wave infrared intracavity laser absorption vapor detector", Proc. SPIE 8236, Laser Resonators, Microresonators, and Beam Control XIV, 82361J (6 February 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.909205

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