Development of a cw-laser-based cavity-ringdown sensor aboard a spacecraft for trace air constituents.

Authors :: Awtry AR
Miller JH
Source :: Applied physics. B, Lasers and optics [Appl Phys B] 2002; Vol. 75 (2-3), pp. 255-60.
Publication Year :: 2002
Abstract: The progress in the development of a sensor for the detection of trace air constituents to monitor spacecraft air quality is reported. A continuous-wave (cw), external-cavity tunable diode laser centered at 1.55 micrometers is used to pump an optical cavity absorption cell in cw-cavity ringdown spectroscopy (cw-CRDS). Preliminary results are presented that demonstrate the sensitivity, selectivity and reproducibility of this method. Detection limits of 2.0 ppm for CO, 2.5 ppm for CO2, 1.8 ppm for H2O, 19.4 ppb for NH3, 7.9 ppb for HCN and 4.0 ppb for C2H2 are calculated.

Subjects :: Acetylene analysis
Ammonia analysis
Carbon Dioxide analysis
Carbon Monoxide analysis
Evaluation Studies as Topic
Hydrogen Cyanide analysis
Maximum Allowable Concentration
Reproducibility of Results
Sensitivity and Specificity
Spacecraft standards
Spectrum Analysis instrumentation
Water analysis
Air Pollutants analysis
Air Pollution, Indoor analysis
Environmental Monitoring instrumentation
Lasers
Spacecraft instrumentation

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