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

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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

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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.

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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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