Tunable Diode Lasers for Industrial Analysis and Monitoring Applications

A new generation of infrared instrumentation incorporating tunable diode lasers has been developed for application to industrial analysis and process monitoring problems. Specific advantages of tunability in the mid-infrared, high spectral resolution, and milliwatt range power outputs are discussed and comparisons made to conventional infrared instrumentation. Examples of applications in the areas of on-line process monitoring and quality control of silicone-based polymers, smokestack effluent monitoring, nondestructive quality control testing of quartz-halogen lamps, and quantitative analysis of aqueous based solutions are presented. Conclusions are drawn indicating the potential for further applications in these and related areas.