High sensitivity pollution detection employing tunable diode lasers

A laser absorption spectrometer is described which employs a wavelength-tunable Pb(1-x)Sn(x)Se diode in conjunction with a multipass White cell and which is capable of measuring SO2 concentrations in the low ppb range. The modulation techniques used in signal detection which make it possible to measure absorption coefficients as low as 0.0000001 per m are described. In addition, calibration of the instrumentation using small sample cells is described, and the question of interference from unwanted molecular species is discussed. The instrumentation allows the measurement, basically at the same time, of a large number of other atmospheric gases which are of significance in pollution studies. For example, the present diode operates over 1050-1150 per cm and can measure SO2, O3, N2O, CO2, H2O, NH3, and PAN. The addition of a second diode to the system will allow most gases of any atmospheric importance to be monitored. In general, these gases have much stronger IR absorption bands than SO2 and hence can be detected at concentrations much less than 1 ppb.