NO$_2$ TRACE MEASUREMENTS BY OPTICAL-FEEDBACK CAVITY-ENHANCED ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
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Date
2009
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Publisher
Ohio State University
Abstract
In order to reach the sub-ppb NO$_2$ detection level required for environmental applications in remote areas, we develop a spectrometer based on a technique introduced a few years ago, named Optical-Feedback Cavity-Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy (OF-CEAS) [1]. It allows very sensitive and selective measurements, together with the realization of compact and robust set-ups as was subsequently demonstrated during measurements campaigns in harsh environments [2]. OF-CEAS benefits from the optical feedback to efficiently inject a cw-laser in a V-shaped high finesse cavity (typically 10 000). Cavity-enhanced absorption spectra are acquired on a small spectral region ($\sim$1\,cm$^{-1}$) that enables selective and quantitative measurements at a fast acquisition rate with a detection limit of several 10$^{-10}$\,cm$^{-1}$ as reported in this work. Spectra are obtained with high spectral definition (150\,MHz highly precisely spaced data points) and are self calibrated by cavity rind-down measurements regularly performed (typically every second). NO$_2$ measurements are performed with a commercial extended cavity diode laser around 411\,nm, spectral region where intense electronic transitions occur. We will describe the set-up developed for in-situ measurements allowing real time concentration measurements at typically 5\,Hz; and then report on the measurements performed with calibrated NO$_2$ reference samples to evaluate the linearity of the apparatus. The minimum detectable absorption loss is estimated by considering the standard deviation of the residual of one spectrum. We achieved 2x10$^{-10}$\,cm$^{-1}$ for a single spectrum recorded in less than 100\,ms at 100\,mbar. It leads to a potential detection limit of 3x10$^8$ molecules/cm$^3$, corresponding to about 150\,pptv at this pressure. \\ [1] J. Morville, S. Kassi, M. Chenevier, and D. Romanini, Appl. Phys. B, 80, 1027 (2005). [2] D. Romanini, M. Chenevrier, S. Kassi, M. Schmidt, C. Valant, M. Ramonet, J. Lopez, and H.-J. Jost, Appl. Phys. B, 83, 659 (2006).
Description
Author Institution: Laboratoire de Spectrometrie Physique, CNRS UMR5588, Univ. J. Fourier de Grenoble, St Martin d'Heres, France