A compact gas sensor system based on quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (QEPAS) employing a continuous wave (CW) distributed feedback quantum cascade laser (DFB-QCL) operating at 4.59 µm was developed for detection of carbon disulfide (CS2) in air at trace concentration. The influence of water vapor on monitored QEPAS signal was investigated to enable compensation of this dependence by independent moisture sensing. A 1 σ limit of detection of 28 parts per billion by volume (ppbv) for a 1 s lock-in amplifier time constant was obtained for the CS2 line centered at 2178.69 cm-1 when the gas sample was moisturized with 2.3 vol% H2O. The work reports the suitability of the system for monitoring CS2 with high selectivity and sensitivity, as well as low sample gas volume requirements and fast sensor response for applications such as workplace air and process monitoring at industry.
We present a bi-functional surface emitting and surface detecting mid-infrared device applicable for gas-sensing. A distributed feedback ring quantum cascade laser is monolithically integrated with a detector structured from a bi-functional material for same frequency lasing and detection. The emitted single mode radiation is collimated, back reflected by a flat mirror and detected by the detector element of the sensor. The surface operation mode combined with the low divergence emission of the ring quantum cascade laser enables for long analyte interaction regions spatially separated from the sample surface. The device enables for sensing of gaseous analytes which requires a relatively long interaction region. Our design is suitable for 2D array integration with multiple emission and detection frequencies. Proof of principle measurements with isobutane (2-methylpropane) and propane as gaseous analytes were conducted. Detectable concentration values of 0–70% for propane and 0–90% for isobutane were reached at a laser operation wavelength of 6.5 μm utilizing a 10 cm gas cell in double pass configuration.
The implementation of a sensitive and selective as well as industrial fit gas sensor prototype based on wavelength modulation spectroscopy with second harmonic detection (2f-WMS) employing an 8-μm continuous-wave distributed feedback quantum cascade laser (CW-DFB-QCL) for monitoring hydrogen sulfide (H2S) at sub-ppm levels is reported. Regarding the applicability for analytical and industrial process purposes aimed at petrochemical environments, a synthetic methane (CH4) matrix of up to 1000 ppmv together with a varying H2S content was chosen as the model environment for the laboratory-based performance evaluation performed at TU Wien. A noise-equivalent absorption sensitivity (NEAS) for H2S targeting the absorption line at 1247.2 cm−1 was found to be 8.419 × 10−10 cm−1 Hz−1/2, and a limit of detection (LOD) of 150 ppbv H2S could be achieved. The sensor prototype was then deployed for on-site measurements at the petrochemical research hydrogenation platform of the industrial partner OMV AG. In order to meet the company’s on-site safety regulations, the H2S sensor platform was installed in an industry rack and equipped with the required safety infrastructure for protected operation in hazardous and explosive environments. The work reports the suitability of the sensor prototype for simultaneous monitoring of H2S and CH4 content in the process streams of a research hydrodesulfurization (HDS) unit. Concentration readings were obtained every 15 s and revealed process dynamics not observed previously.
recommended by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) is 5 ppmv [2]. The permissible exposure limit value for H 2 S is 10 ppmv, the Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) level is 300 ppmv and lethal concentrations are in the range of 2000 ppmv [2]. In practice, concentrations ranging from sub-ppmv levels at low pressures to several per cents at atmospheric conditions need to be monitored. Despite a variety of online monitoring options for gaseous H 2 S, its reliable quantitative and selective determination still remains challenging in the field of chemical sensors [3][4][5].In the field of laser spectroscopy, the constant improvement of quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) has led to their application as reliable sources of coherent light ranging from the mid-infrared (MIR) to the terahertz spectral region for sensitive detection of molecular species on their fundamental vibrational, respectively, rotational bands [6][7][8][9]. Due to their tailorable emission wavelength, high output power, compactness, narrow spectral linewidth, and wavelength tuneability, QCLs are optimal choices for spectroscopic applications. In addition, optical resonator designs are constantly improved over the years with the distributed feedback (DFB) [10] and the external cavity (EC) [11] approach being the most prominent ones. A general aim with respect to the ongoing development of QCLs for sensing applications is to reduce the line width of the emitted radiation to a minimum while achieving a spectral coverage as large as possible. So far, EC-QCLs offer the largest tuning range which, depending on the employed gain medium, may cover up to several hundreds of wavenumbers. The external cavity design facilitates broadband spectral tuning by an external diffraction grating, while the selection of the emission wavelength takes place by changing the grating angle relative to the QCL chip.Abstract Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) trace gas detection based on off-beam quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy using a continuous wave (CW), mode-hop-free external cavity (EC) quantum cascade laser tunable from 1310 to 1210 cm −1 was performed. A 1σ minimum detection limit of 492 parts per billion by volume (ppbv) using a 1 s lock-in time constant was obtained by targeting the line centered at 1234.58 cm . This value corresponds to a normalized noise equivalent absorption coefficient for H 2 S of 3.05 × 10 −9 W cm −1 Hz −1/2 .
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