Design and experiment of light field shaping system for three-dimensional extended light source used in photoacoustic spectrometer

Abstract

Compared with infrared laser sources, the three-dimensional incoherent extended light source has the advantages of high power, wide spectral range, and low cost. It has extremely wide applications in high-precision and multi-component photoacoustic spectrometers. However, it encounters some problems about poor directivity, low energy density, irregular shape, light field shaping needed in the design of optical system. The photoacoustic spectrometer is required to collect and optimize the radiation of the centimeter-level three-dimensional extended light source to the whole space in a small volume. Through using a series of wavelength and frequency modulation elements, the final cylindrical light field distribution with millimeter-level radius and centimeter-level length is realized. According to the concept of optical expansion and the principle of edge light, this paper breaks through the traditional design mode based on point light source in the process of optical system design and optimization. The concept of extended light source is used throughout the design process. The luminous characteristics of the three-dimensional extended light source are directly acquired by the self-designed measurement method and device which is accurately reflected in the three-dimensional extended light source model in the form of micro-element. The design of the light field shaping system of the three-dimensional extended light source for the photoacoustic spectrometer is realized by the aspheric surface, and the relevant experimental verification is carried out. Taking the Hawkeye IR-Si272 light source for example, the experimental value of the light power at the entrance of the photoacoustic cell and the sidewall noise rate of the photoacoustic spectrometer have a small deviation from their corresponding simulation values. Compared with the original condenser system, the self-designed photoacoustic spectrometer light source system increases the value of the light power at the entrance of the photoacoustic cell from 0.86W to 1.32W, and reduces the value of the sidewall noise rate from 50.3% to 19.7%. The lower limit of detection of the concentration of trace gas in the order of ppm (parts per million) is also achieved.

High-Precision Low-Cost Mid-Infrared Photoacoustic Gas Sensor Using Aspherical Beam Shaping for Rapidly Measuring Greenhouse Gases

“…The sidewall noise of the photoacoustic cavity was not considered. Qiu et al [23] utilized an aspherical reflector for optical beam concentration and achieved the incident light power of 1.32 W, sidewall noise ratio of 19.3%, and the MDLs of gases in transformer oil around 1 ppm. Although the proposed structures could improve the beam quality to a certain extent, there still exists considerable sidewall noise, resulting in challenges in ultra-sensitive gas detections.…”