A pulsed quantum-cascade distributed-feedback laser, temperature tunable from -41 degrees C to +31.6 degrees C, and a resonant differential photoacoustic detector are used to measure trace-gas concentrations to as low as 66 parts per 10(9) by volume (ppbv) ammonia at a low laser power of 2 mW. Good agreement between the experimental spectrum and the simulated HITRAN spectrum of NH3 is found in the spectral range between 1046 and 1052 cm(-1). A detection limit of 30 ppbv ammonia at a signal-to-noise ratio of 1 was obtained with the quantum-cascade laser (QCL) photoacoustic (PA) setup. Concentration changes of approximately 50 ppbv were detectable with this compact and versatile QCL-based PA detection system. The performance of the PA detector, characterized by the product of the incident laser power and the minimum detectable absorption coefficient, was 4.7 x 10-9 W cm(-1).

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The potential risks associated with the emission of by-products emitted by surgical cautery are of concern. Various investigations—mostly based on gas chromatography—have been performed to analyse the so-called surgical smoke but controversies remain in terms of composition and concentrations of compounds present in the smoke and hence the associated risk to human health. This quantitative model study uses for the first time CO2-laser-based photoacoustic spectroscopy and focuses on the analysis of volatile organic compounds produced during thermal- and radiofrequency bipolar cautery on porcine liver. The latter instrument is employed in actual human surgery. Concentrations in the ppm to sub-ppm range and molar fractions could be determined for carbon dioxide, water vapour, ammonia, ethanol and methanol. Distinct differences particularly in the methanol and ethanol contents were found between the two cautery devices employed.