A frequency-modulated quantum-cascade laser for spectroscopy of CH4 and N2O isotopomers

  • Gianluca Gagliardi
  • , Simone Borri
  • , Filippo Tamassia
  • , Federico Capasso
  • , Claire Gmachl
  • , Deborah L. Sivco
  • , James N. Baillargeon
  • , Albert L. Hutchinson
  • , Alfred Y. Cho

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

We report the development of a novel laser spectrometer for high-sensitivity detection of methane and nitrous oxide. The system relies on a quantum-cascade laser source emitting wavelength of around 8.06 μm, where strong fundamental absorption bands occur for the considered species and their isotopomers. The detection technique is based on audio-frequency and radio-frequency modulation of laser radiation. First experimental tests have been performed to estimate the achievable detection limits and the signal reproducibility levels in view of possible measurements of 13C/12C, 18O/16O, 17O/16O and 15N/14N isotope ratios.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)313-321
Number of pages9
JournalIsotopes in Environmental and Health Studies
Volume41
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2005

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Environmental Science
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Environmental Chemistry

Keywords

  • Carbon-13
  • IR spectrometry
  • Isotope analysis
  • Isotopomers
  • Methane
  • Nitrogen-15
  • Nitrous oxide
  • Oxygen-17
  • Oxygen-18

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