Abstract
Quantitative studies and experimental validation of noise sources occurring in chirped laser dispersion spectroscopy (CLaDS) are reported. Their impact on the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) achievable with the CLaDS sensing method is analyzed through a noise model supported by experimental results. In particular the model shows that the SNR is optimal for a given value of the laser chirp rate. The experimental studies are conducted with a quantum cascade laser operating at 5.2 μm for the detection of nitric oxide. Optical fringing has been found to be a significant non-random source of noise and an effective reduction method that can improve the SNR is also discussed.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 644-653 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Optics Express |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 2 2012 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics