Experimental setup for the ultrasensitive real-time trace gas sensor. (Photo: Adelphi University)

A research team from Adelphi University in New developed a new device that can detect ultra-low concentrations of gases like nitrogen dioxide accurately and nearly instantaneously. The device works even when experiencing small vibrations, which is important if the instrument is deployed in the field.

The detector uses cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS). Standard CRDS sensors are susceptible to vibration-induced errors. As a result, special vibration-isolation equipment must be employed to use CRDS in the field. The new device uses a high-power broadband laser, which contains a wider range of wavelengths than typical for CRDS lasers. Any slight shift of the cavity length due to vibrations simply shifts the cavity resonances to other wavelengths that the laser is already emitting.

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Topics:
Data Acquisition Data Acquisition Detectors Environmental Monitoring Instrumentation Lasers & Laser Systems Measuring Instruments Monitoring Sensors Test & Measurement

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