Diode laser absorption sensors for gas-dynamic and combustion flows

H2O and temperature measurements in propagating hydrogen/oxygen flames using a broadband swept-wavelength ECQCL

We present experimental results using a swept-wavelength external cavity quantum cascade laser (swept-ECQCL) diagnostic to measure broadband absorption spectra over a range of 920-1180c m -1 (8.47-10.87 µm) with 2 ms temporal resolution in premixed hydrogen/oxygen flames propagating inside an enclosed chamber. Broadband spectral fits are used to determine time-resolved temperatures and column densities of H 2 O produced during combustion. Modeling of the flowfield within the test chamber under both equilibrium conditions and using a 1D freely propagating flame model is compared with the experiment in terms of temporal dynamics, temperatures, and H 2 O column density. Outputs from the numerical models were used to simulate radiative transport through an inhomogeneous combustion region and evaluate the performance of the spectral fitting model. Simulations show that probing hot-band H 2 O transitions in the high-temperature combustion regions minimizes errors due to spatial inhomogeneity. Good agreement is found between the experimental and modeling results considering experimental uncertainties and model assumptions.

High-frequency measurement of concentration in an isothermal methane-air gas mixture using spontaneous Raman spectroscopy

A high-frequency (1.5 kHz) spontaneous Raman spectroscopy measurement technique is developed and applied to measure external fluctuations generated in the local concentration of an isothermal binary gas mixture of methane and air. Raman excitation is provided by a high-frequency laser at 527 nm in dual-pulsed mode. The Stokes Raman signal is collected using an EMCCD camera coupled to a high-frequency intensifier as a shutter. The emitted signal is collected over the 596-627 nm wavelength range, which allows for the simultaneous tracking of methane and nitrogen Stokes Q-branch mode signals. Calibration curves are initially obtained for each species ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]) based on steady-state concentrations, and further corrected during use to detect local unsteady mixture fluctuations at gas pulsation frequencies up to 250 Hz. The main novelty is the demonstration of Raman spectroscopy for the simultaneous multispecies measurement of unsteady concentrations of gas-phase methane and air mixtures using a laser beam with a high-repetition rate, low energy per pulse, combined with a high-frequency intensifier and a single camera.

Optical Methods of Methane Detection

Methane is the most frequently analyzed gas with different concentrations ranging from single ppm or ppb to 100%. There are a wide range of applications for gas sensors including urban uses, industrial uses, rural measurements, and environment monitoring. The most important applications include the measurement of anthropogenic greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and methane leak detection. In this review, we discuss common optical methods used for detecting methane such as non-dispersive infrared (NIR) technology, direct tunable diode spectroscopy (TDLS), cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS), cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy (CEAS), lidar techniques, and laser photoacoustic spectroscopy. We also present our own designs of laser methane analyzers for various applications (DIAL, TDLS, NIR).

Amplified Photothermal Phase Modulation for Carbon Dioxide Detection by Operating a Dual-Mode Interferometer at Destructive Interference

Photothermal interferometry is a highly sensitive spectroscopic technique for trace gas detection. However, the performance of the state-of-the-art laser spectroscopic sensors is still insufficient for some high-precision applications. Here, we demonstrate optical phase-modulation amplification by operating a dual-mode optical fiber interferometer at destructive interference for ultrasensitive carbon dioxide detection. With a 50 cm long dual-mode hollow-core fiber, amplification of photothermal phase modulation by a factor of nearly 20 is achieved, which enables carbon dioxide detection down to 1 parts-per-billion with a dynamic range of over 7 orders of magnitude. This technique could be readily used to improve the sensitivity of phase modulation-based sensors with a compact and simple configuration.

Development and Validation of a Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy System for Hot Gas Flow and Small-Scale Flame Measurement

TDLAS (tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy) is an important gas analysis method that can be employed to obtain characteristic parameters non-invasively by the infrared absorption spectra of tracer molecules such as CH₄, H₂O and O₂. In this study, a portable H₂O-based TDLAS system with a dual optical path was developed with the aim of assessing the combustion characteristics of flammable gases. Firstly, a calculation method of gas characteristics including temperature and velocity combining absorption spectra and a HITRAN database was provided. Secondly, to calibrate and validate this TDLAS system precisely, a pressure vessel and a shock tube were introduced innovatively to generate static or steady flow fields with preset constant temperatures, pressures, or velocities. Static tests within environment pressures up to 2 MPa and steady flow field tests with temperatures up to 1600 K and flow velocities up to 950 m/s were performed for verification. It was proved that this system can provide an accurate values for high temperature and velocity gas flows. Finally, an experimental investigation of CH₄/air flames was conducted to test the effectiveness of the system when applied to small diffusion flames. This TDLAS system gave satisfactory flame temperature and velocity data owing to the dual optical path design and high frequency scanning, which compensated for scale effects and pulsation of the flame. This work demonstrates a valuable new approach to thermal hazard analysis in specific environments.

Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy Based Temperature Measurement with a Single Diode Laser Near 1.4 μm

The rapidly changing and wide dynamic range of combustion temperature in scramjet engines presents a major challenge to existing test techniques. Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) based temperature measurement has the advantages of high sensitivity, fast response, and compact structure. In this invited paper, a temperature measurement method based on the TDLAS technique with a single diode laser was demonstrated. A continuous-wave (CW), distributed feedback (DFB) diode laser with an emission wavelength near 1.4 μm was used for temperature measurement, which could cover two water vapor (H₂O) absorption lines located at 7153.749 cm^-1 and 7154.354 cm^-1 simultaneously. The output wavelength of the diode laser was calibrated according to the two absorption peaks in the time domain. Using this strategy, the TDLAS system has the advantageous of immunization to laser wavelength shift, simple system structure, reduced cost, and increased system robustness. The line intensity of the two target absorption lines under room temperature was about one-thousandth of that under high temperature, which avoided the measuring error caused by H₂O in the environment. The system was tested on a McKenna flat flame burner and a scramjet model engine, respectively. It was found that, compared to the results measured by CARS technique and theoretical calculation, this TDLAS system had less than 4% temperature error when the McKenna flat flame burner was used. When a scramjet model engine was adopted, the measured results showed that such TDLAS system had an excellent dynamic range and fast response. The TDLAS system reported here could be used in real engine in the future.

A Compact Fiber-Coupled NIR/MIR Laser Absorption Instrument for the Simultaneous Measurement of Gas-Phase Temperature and CO, CO2, and H2O Concentration

A fiber-coupled, compact, remotely operated laser absorption instrument is developed for CO, CO₂, and H₂O measurements in reactive flows at the elevated temperatures and pressures expected in gas turbine combustor test rigs with target pressures from 1-25 bar and temperatures of up to 2000 K. The optical engineering for solutions of the significant challenges from the ambient acoustic noise (~120 dB) and ambient test rig temperatures (60 °C) are discussed in detail. The sensor delivers wavelength-multiplexed light in a single optical fiber from a set of solid-state lasers ranging from diodes in the near-infrared (~1300 nm) to quantum cascade lasers in the mid-infrared (~4900 nm). Wavelength-multiplexing systems using a single optical fiber have not previously spanned such a wide range of laser wavelengths. Gas temperature is inferred from the ratio of two water vapor transitions. Here, the design of the sensor, the optical engineering required for simultaneous fiber delivery of a wide range of laser wavelengths on a single optical line-of-sight, the engineering required for sensor survival in the harsh ambient environment, and laboratory testing of sensor performance in the exhaust gas of a flat flame burner are presented.

Tomographic absorption spectroscopy based on dictionary learning

Tomographic absorption spectroscopy (TAS) has an advantage over other optical imaging methods for practical combustor diagnostics: optical access is needed in a single plane only, and the access can be limited. However, practical TAS often suffers from limited projection data. In these cases, priors such as smoothness and sparseness can be incorporated to mitigate the ill-posedness of the inversion problem. This work investigates use of dictionary learning (DL) to effectively extract useful a priori information from the existing dataset and incorporate it in the reconstruction process to improve accuracy. We developed two DL algorithms; our numerical results suggest that they can outperform classical Tikhonov reconstruction under moderate noise conditions. Further testing with experimental data indicates that they can effectively suppress reconstruction artifacts and obtain more physically plausible solutions compared with the inverse Radon transform.

Broadband, background-free methane absorption in the mid-infrared

Rotationally resolved, broadband absorption spectra of the fundamental vibrational transition of the asymmetric C-H stretch mode of methane are measured under single-laser-shot conditions using time-resolved optically gated absorption (TOGA). The TOGA approach exploits the difference in timescales between a broadband, fs-duration excitation source and the ps-duration absorption features induced by molecular absorption to allow effective suppression of the broadband background spectrum, thereby allowing for sensitive detection of multi-transition molecular spectra. This work extends the TOGA approach into the mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectral regime, allowing access to fundamental vibrational transitions while providing broadband access to multiple mid-IR transitions spanning ∼150 cm^-1 (∼160 nm) near 3.3 μm, thereby highlighting the robustness of this technique beyond previously demonstrated electronic spectroscopy. Measurements are conducted in a heated gas cell to determine the accuracy of the simultaneous temperature and species-concentration measurements afforded by this single-shot approach in a well-characterized environment. Application of this approach toward fuel-rich methane-nitrogen-oxygen flames is also demonstrated.

Linear multispectral absorption tomography based on regularized iterative methods

A regularization approach of iterative algorithms was proposed to reconstruct the two-dimensional temperature and concentration distributions based on linear multispectral absorption tomography (MAT). This method introduces a secondary prior into a classical iterative algorithm via regularization to improve the reconstruction accuracy. Numerical studies revealed that the regularized iteration outperformed the classical and superiorized versions under various noisy conditions and with different number of spectral lines. The algorithms were also tested with the existing experimental data of a premixed flat flame produced by a McKenna burner. The comparison between the reconstructions and the measured temperature profile using thermocouples confirmed the superiority of our proposed regularized iterative method.

Tribo-Induced Smart Reflector for Ultrasensitive Self-Powered Wireless Sensing of Air Flow

Air-flow sensing is essential in broad applications of weather forecasting, ocean monitoring, gas leakage alarming, and health monitoring. However, in severe environments where electrical power supply and cable connection are not available, the sensing of air flow in a self-powered way is a challenging issue. In this work, we reported a tribo-induced smart reflector to achieve the self-powered wireless sensing of the air flow by combining an aerodynamics-driven triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) and a silver-coated polymer network liquid crystal. Upon being driven by the air flow, the developed reflector performed specular and diffused reflectance without and with charging by the TENG, respectively, enabling wireless sensing through mechanical-electrical-optical signal conversion. In the developed sensing paradigm, the sensing module can be fully self-powered without the need of signal pre-amplification, which is electrically separated from the light source and detection modules without cable connections. The applications of self-powered wireless wind speed sensing and breath monitoring were performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed paradigm toward self-powered wireless sensing nodes in the internet of things.

Plasmonic foam platforms for air quality monitoring

Plasmonic reversible gas sensors are of paramount importance for the monitoring of indoor environments. Herein, we design and engineer a plasmonic foam, with a high surface area, confined inside a capillary glass tube for the live monitoring of carbon monoxide (CO) in closed environments using surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering. The illumination of the sensor with light during the flow of air allows the live monitoring of the concentration of atmospheric CO through surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering. The sensor was prepared with a detection range from 10 to 40 ppm, due to health needs. The results show a sensitive, selective, reversible and robust sensor applicable to the monitoring of CO levels but also to other gas species upon appropriate functionalization.

Spectroscopic Techniques versus Pitot Tube for the Measurement of Flow Velocity in Narrow Ducts

In order to assess the limits and applicability of Pitot tubes for the measurement of flow velocity in narrow ducts, e.g., biomass burning plants, an optical, dual function device was implemented. This sensor, based on spectroscopic techniques, targets a trace gas, injected inside the stack either in bursts, or continuously, so performing transit time or dilution measurements. A comparison of the two optical techniques with respect to Pitot readings was carried out in different flow conditions (speed, temperature, gas composition). The results of the two optical measurements are in agreement with each other and fit quite well the theoretical simulation of the flow field, while the results of the Pitot measurements show a remarkable dependence on position and inclination of the Pitot tube with respect to the duct axis. The implications for the metrology of small combustors' emissions are outlined.

Advanced Fiber-Coupled Diode Laser Sensor for Calibration-Free 1f-WMS Determination of an Absorption Line Intensity

A new scheme for a calibration-free diode laser absorption spectroscopy (DLAS) sensor for measuring the parameters of harsh zones is proposed. The key element of the scheme is a micro-prism retroreflector (MPRR). The MPRR facilitates an increase in the mechanical stability of the sensor and a decrease in the background thermal radiation in the hot areas of a tested zone. Reduction in the broadband thermal emission allowed the application of a differential logarithmic conversion (LC) technique for elimination of the residual amplitude modulation and other sources of non-selective attenuation of the probing laser beam. LC allows the use of a 1f-wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) detection scheme. Combination of LC and a 1f-WMS algorithm provided a new modification of calibration-free DLAS, which could be particularly useful for probing harsh zones with pronounced strong turbulence and high levels of acoustic and electrical noise. The influence of the experimental parameters and characteristics of the main electronic components of the recording and processing system on the accuracy of the integral line intensity determination is investigated theoretically and experimentally. The proposed optical scheme of a DLAS sensor and algorithm for the data processing allowed the integral intensity of an absorption line to be obtained. The potential for the scheme was exemplified with a single water vapor absorption line at 7185.6 cm^-1. Simultaneous detection of several absorption lines and data processing using the developed algorithm provides the final goal of a DLAS sensor-determination of temperature and partial pressure of a test molecule in a probed gas volume. The developed scheme allows the spatial multiplexing of the radiation of different diode lasers (DLs), which can be used if various test molecules are to be detected, or absorption lines of a test molecule are detected over different wavelength intervals.

Linear absorption tomography with velocimetry (LATV) for multiparameter measurements in high-speed flows

We present a linear model for absorption tomography with velocimetry (LATV) to reconstruct 2D distributions of partial pressure, temperature, and streamwise velocity in a high-speed flow. Synthetic measurements are generated by multi-beam tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS). The measurement plane is tilted relative to the streamwise direction and absorbance spectra are Doppler-shifted by the gas flow. Reconstruction comprises two stages. First, the thermodynamic state is obtained by reconstructing two or more integrated absorption coefficients and evaluating local Boltzmann plots. Second, the velocity field is directly reconstructed from absorbance-weighted linecenters. Absorbance data are inferred by Voigt fitting and reconstructions are quickly computed by matrix-vector multiplication. Nonlinear parameter combinations, such as the mass flow, are more accurate when computed by LATV than estimates obtained by assuming uniform gas properties along each beam.

Cepstral analysis for baseline-insensitive absorption spectroscopy using light sources with pronounced intensity variations

This paper presents a data-processing technique that improves the accuracy and precision of absorption-spectroscopy measurements by isolating the molecular absorbance signal from errors in the baseline light intensity (I_o) using cepstral analysis. Recently, cepstral analysis has been used with traditional absorption spectrometers to create a modified form of the time-domain molecular free-induction decay (m-FID) signal, which can be analyzed independently from I_o. However, independent analysis of the molecular signature is not possible when the baseline intensity and molecular response do not separate well in the time domain, which is typical when using injection-current-tuned lasers [e.g., tunable diode and quantum cascade lasers (QCLs)] and other light sources with pronounced intensity tuning. In contrast, the method presented here is applicable to virtually all light sources since it determines gas properties by least-squares fitting a simulated m-FID signal (comprising an estimated I_o and simulated absorbance spectrum) to the measured m-FID signal in the time domain. This method is insensitive to errors in the estimated I_o, which vary slowly with optical frequency and, therefore, decay rapidly in the time domain. The benefits provided by this method are demonstrated via scanned-wavelength direct-absorption-spectroscopy measurements acquired with a distributed-feedback (DFB) QCL. The wavelength of a DFB QCL was scanned across the CO P(0,20) and P(1,14) absorption transitions at 1 kHz to measure the gas temperature and concentration of CO. Measurements were acquired in a gas cell and in a laminar ethylene-air diffusion flame at 1 atm. The measured spectra were processed using the new m-FID-based method and two traditional methods, which rely on inferring (instead of rejecting) the baseline error within the spectral-fitting routine. The m-FID-based method demonstrated superior accuracy in all cases and a measurement precision that was ≈1.5 to 10 times smaller than that provided using traditional methods.

Pressure scaling of the collisional broadening parameters of Kr 4p6S01→→5p[3/2]2 transition

Pressure scaling of collisional broadening parameters of krypton (absorber) 4p⁶S01→→5p[3/2]₂ transition centered at 107.3 nm in the presence of nitrogen N₂ (perturber) is investigated. The absorption spectrum in the vicinity of the transition is obtained from the two-photon excitation scan of krypton in the presence of the perturber at different prescribed pressures varying from a few torrs to 10 atm. The absorption spectra reveal noticeable asymmetry at atmospheric pressure, and the asymmetry becomes increasingly pronounced with pressure; however, the absorption spectra at sub-atmospheric pressures tested are symmetric. The absorption spectra are fitted with synthetic asymmetric Voigt profiles across all pressures, wherein the asymmetry parameter is varied to capture the asymmetry at different pressures. The collisional shift (δ_C), the symmetric equivalent collisional full width at half maximum (w_C,0), and the asymmetry parameter (a) are determined from the synthetic fits at various pressures. All the parameters are observed to vary linearly with pressure over the entire range of the pressure values tested. The mechanisms that cause the asymmetry in the absorption spectra are also discussed.

Detection Limit of CO Concentration Measurement in LPG/Air Flame Flue Gas Using Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy

In a combustion reaction of hydrocarbon fuel, carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas species that is closely related to air pollution generation and combustion efficiency. It has a trade-off with nitrogen oxide and increases rapidly in case of incomplete combustion or in fuel-rich (Φ > 1) environments. Therefore, it is essential to measure CO concentration in order to optimize the combustion condition. In the case of a steel annealing system, the combustion environment is maintained in a deoxidation atmosphere to prevent the formation of an oxide layer on the steel sheet surface. However, it is difficult to measure the CO concentration in a combustion furnace in real-time because of the harsh environment in the furnace. Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy, which has the advantages of non-invasiveness, fast response, and in situ measurement-based optical measurement, is highly attractive for measuring the concentration of a certain gas species in a combustion environment. In this study, a combustion system of a partially premixed flamed burner was designed to control the equivalence ratio for fuel-rich conditions. CO concentration was measured using a distributed feedback laser with a wavenumber of 4300.7 cm−1 in the mid-infrared region. The results showed that the CO concentration measured at an equivalence ratio of 1.15 to 1.50 was 0.495% to 6.139%. The detection limit in the combustion environment was analyzed at a path length of 190 cm and an internal temperature of 733 K. The ranges of the peak absorbance were derived as 0.064 and 0.787, which were within the theoretical bounds of 10−3 and 0.80 when the equivalence ratio was varied from 1.15 to 1.50.

Hollow-Core Photonic Crystal Fiber Gas Sensing

Fiber gas sensing techniques have been applied for a wide range of industrial applications. In this paper, the basic fiber gas sensing principles and the development of different fibers have been introduced. In various specialty fibers, hollow-core photonic crystal fibers (HC-PCFs) can overcome the fundamental limits of solid fibers and have attracted intense interest recently. Here, we focus on the review of HC-PCF gas sensing, including the light-guiding mechanisms of HC-PCFs, various sensing configurations, microfabrication approaches, and recent research advances including the mid-infrared gas sensors via hollow core anti-resonant fibers. This review gives a detailed and deep understanding of HC-PCF gas sensors and will promote more practical applications of HC-PCFs in the near future.

In-situ measurement of pyrolysis and combustion gases from biomass burning using swept wavelength external cavity quantum cascade lasers

Broadband high-speed absorption spectroscopy using swept-wavelength external cavity quantum cascade lasers (ECQCLs) is applied to measure multiple pyrolysis and combustion gases in biomass burning experiments. Two broadly-tunable swept-ECQCL systems were used, with the first tuned over a range of 2089-2262 cm^-1 (4.42-4.79 µm) to measure spectra of CO₂, H₂O, and CO. The second was tuned over a range of 920-1150 cm^-1 (8.70-10.9 µm) to measure spectra of ammonia (NH₃), ethene (C₂H₄), and methanol (MeOH). Absorption spectra were measured continuously at a 100 Hz rate throughout the burn process, including inhomogeneous flame regions, and analyzed to determine time-resolved gas concentrations and temperature. The results provide in-situ, dynamic information regarding gas-phase species as they are generated, close to the biomass fuel source.

Ring resonator enhanced mode-hop-free wavelength tuning of an integrated extended-cavity laser

Extending the cavity length of diode lasers with feedback from Bragg structures and ring resonators is highly effective for obtaining ultra-narrow laser linewidths. However, cavity length extension also decreases the free-spectral range of the cavity. This reduces the wavelength range of continuous laser tuning that can be achieved with a given phase shift of an intracavity phase tuning element. We present a method that increases the range of continuous tuning to that of a short equivalent laser cavity, while maintaining the ultra-narrow linewidth of a long cavity. Using a single-frequency hybrid integrated InP-Si₃N₄ diode laser with 120 nm coverage around 1540 nm, with a maximum output of 24 mW and lowest intrinsic linewidth of 2.2 kHz, we demonstrate a six-fold increased continuous and mode-hop-free tuning range of 0.22 nm (28 GHz) as compared to the free-spectral range of the laser cavity.

Mode-phase-difference photothermal spectroscopy for gas detection with an anti-resonant hollow-core optical fiber

Laser spectroscopy outperforms electrochemical and semiconductor gas sensors in selectivity and environmental survivability. However, the performance of the state-of-the-art laser sensors is still insufficient for many high precision applications. Here, we report mode-phase-difference photothermal spectroscopy with a dual-mode anti-resonant hollow-core optical fiber and demonstrate all-fiber gas (acetylene) detection down to ppt (parts-per-trillion) and <1% instability over a period of 3 hours. An anti-resonant hollow-core fiber could be designed to transmit light signals over a broad wavelength range from visible to infrared, covering molecular absorption lines of many important gases. This would enable multi-component gas detection with a single sensing element and pave the way for ultra-precision gas sensing for medical, environmental and industrial applications.

Typically, the performance of the state-of-the-art laser sensors is insufficient for many high precision applications. Here, the authors report mode-phase-difference photothermal spectroscopy with a dual-mode anti-resonant hollow-core optical fiber and demonstrate acetylene detection with ultra-high sensitivity.

Temperature dependence of collisional broadening and shift for the Kr 4p6S01→5p[3/2]2 electronic transition

Temperature scaling of collisional broadening parameters for krypton (absorber) 4p⁶S01→5p[3/2]₂ electronic transition centered at 107.3 nm in the presence of major combustion species (perturber) is investigated. The absorption spectrum in the vicinity of the transition is obtained from the fluorescence due to the two-photon excitation scan of krypton. Krypton was added in small amounts to major combustion species such as CH₄, CO₂, N₂, and air, which then heated to elevated temperatures when flowed through a set of heated coils. In a separate experimental campaign, laminar premixed flat flame product mixtures of methane combustion were employed to extend the investigations to higher temperature ranges relevant to combustion. Collisional full width half maximum (FWHM) (w_C) and shift (δ_C) were computed from the absorption spectrum by synthetically fitting Voigt profiles to the excitation scans, and their corresponding temperature scaling was determined by fitting power-law temperature dependencies to the w_C and δ_C data for each perturber species. The temperature exponents of w_C and δ_C for all considered combustion species (perturbers) were -0.73 and -0.6, respectively. Whereas the temperature exponents of w_C are closer to the value (-0.7) predicted by the dispersive interaction collision theory, the corresponding exponents of δ_C are in between the dispersive interaction theory and the kinetic theory of hard-sphere collisions. Comparison with existing literature on broadening parameters of NO, OH, and CO laser-induced fluorescence spectra reveal interesting contributions from non-dispersive interactions on the temperature exponent.

Highly Sensitive, Calibration-Free WM-DAS Method for Recovering Absorbance-Part I: Theoretical Analysis

The absorbance is of great importance in the tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) as it contains information of both gas properties and spectroscopic parameters. A novel, calibration-free wavelength modulation-direct absorption spectroscopy (WM-DAS) is proposed and experimentally verified in this two-part paper. This method combines the capability of absorbance measurement from DAS and the advantages of enhanced noise rejection and high sensitivity from WMS. In this Part I, we focus on the full theoretical basis and procedures of this method from the following three aspects: the high-accuracy characterizations of laser frequency and intensity, noise rejection ability by extracting the characteristic spectra through the fast Fourier transform (FFT) of the light intensity, and the simultaneous fitting strategy for both baseline and absorbance. The preliminary validation experiment of CO transition at 4300.6999 cm-1 in a static gas cell shows the high accuracy of the proposed method.

Highly Sensitive, Calibration-Free WM-DAS Method for Recovering Absorbance-Part II: Experimental Analysis

Following the theoretical work in Part I, in this experimental study, the robustness, temporal resolution, and the narrow scan performance of the proposed wavelength modulation-direct absorption spectroscopy (WM-DAS) method are experimentally validated in a high-temperature tube furnace. The electromagnetic and other random-frequency noises can be effectively eliminated by extracting the characteristic spectra of the light intensity. The performance of WM-DAS with modulation frequencies from 0.1 to 100 kHz and scan indexes from 3.3 to 11.1 are also investigated at atmospheric pressure. The proposed method produces accurate line profile and high SNR over 500 consistently even with a weak absorption. As for real applications, the spectral line parameters of CO at 4300.6999 cm-1 including the collisional broadening, Dicke narrowing, and their dependence on temperature are measured. Furthermore, the high-speed measurement (1 ms) of the temperature and CO concentration of a McKenna flat flame are demonstrated.

Tracer-free laser-induced grating spectroscopy using a pulse burst laser at 100 kHz

This work shows the first application of a burst laser for laser-induced grating spectroscopy (LIGS) diagnostics. High repetition rate (100 kHz) LIGS is performed in non reacting and reacting flows using the fundamental harmonic of a Nd:YAG pulse-burst laser as pump. In the first part of the paper, we demonstrate the first time-resolved, high repetition rate electrostrictive LIGS measurements in a sinusoidally-modulated helium jet, allowed by the highly energetic pulses delivered by the burst laser (around 130 mJ per pulse). In the second part of the paper, we perform thermal LIGS measurements in a premixed laminar methane/air flame. Thermal gratings are generated in the flame products from the water vapour, which weakly absorbs 1064 nm light. Thus, this work demonstrates the potential of seeding-free high repetition rate LIGS as a technique to detect and time-resolve the instantaneous speed of sound, temperature, and composition in unsteady flow processes.

Low-Noise Mid-Infrared Photodetection in BP/h-BN/Graphene van der Waals Heterojunctions

We present a low-noise photodetector based on van der Waals stacked black phosphorus (BP)/boron nitride (h-BN)/graphene tunneling junctions. h-BN acts as a tunneling barrier that significantly blocks dark current fluctuations induced by shallow trap centers in BP. The device provides a high photodetection performance at mid-infrared (mid-IR) wavelengths. While it was found that the photoresponsivity is similar to that in a BP photo-transistor, the noise equivalent power and thus the specific detectivity are nearly two orders of magnitude better. These exemplify an attractive platform for practical applications of long wavelength photodetection, as well as provide a new strategy for controlling flicker noise.

Accuracy Bounds and Measurements of a Contactless Permittivity Sensor for Gases Using Synchronized Low-Cost mm-Wave Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave Radar Transceivers

A primary concern in a multitude of industrial processes is the precise monitoring of gaseous substances to ensure proper operating conditions. However, many traditional technologies are not suitable for operation under harsh environmental conditions. Radar-based time-of-flight permittivity measurements have been proposed as alternative but suffer from high cost and limited accuracy in highly cluttered industrial plants. This paper examines the performance limits of low-cost frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar sensors for permittivity measurements. First, the accuracy limits are investigated theoretically and the Cramér-Rao lower bounds for time-of-flight based permittivity and concentration measurements are derived. In addition, Monte-Carlo simulations are carried out to validate the analytical solutions. The capabilities of the measurement concept are then demonstrated with different binary gas mixtures of Helium and Carbon Dioxide in air. A low-cost time-of-flight sensor based on two synchronized fully-integrated millimeter-wave (MMW) radar transceivers is developed and evaluated. A method to compensate systematic deviations caused by the measurement setup is proposed and implemented. The theoretical discussion underlines the necessity of exploiting the information contained in the signal phase to achieve the desired accuracy. Results of various permittivity and gas concentration measurements are in good accordance to reference sensors and measurements with a commercial vector network analyzer (VNA). In conclusion, the proposed radar-based low-cost sensor solution shows promising performance for the intended use in demanding industrial applications.

Laser Absorption Sensing Systems: Challenges, Modeling, and Design Optimization

Laser absorption spectroscopy (LAS) is a promising diagnostic method capable of providing high-bandwidth, species-specific sensing, and highly quantitative measurements. This review aims at providing general guidelines from the perspective of LAS sensor system design for realizing quantitative species diagnostics in combustion-related environments. A brief overview of representative detection limits and bandwidths achieved in different measurement scenarios is first provided to understand measurement needs and identify design targets. Different measurement schemes including direct absorption spectroscopy (DAS), wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS), and their variations are discussed and compared in terms of advantages and limitations. Based on the analysis of the major sources of noise including electronic, optical, and environmental noises, strategies of noise reduction and design optimization are categorized and compared. This addresses various means of laser control parameter optimization and data processing algorithms such as baseline extraction, in situ laser characterization, and wavelet analysis. There is still a large gap between the current sensor capabilities and the demands of combustion and engine diagnostic research. This calls for a profound understanding of the underlying fundamentals of a LAS sensing system in terms of optics, spectroscopy, and signal processing.

Comparison of existing laser-induced breakdown thermometry techniques along with a time-resolved breakdown approach

Temperature is an important parameter for characterizing chemical, physical, and flow processes occurring in combustion environments. Laser-induced breakdown is a process widely used to determine a material's elemental components and its composition, known as laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The breakdown event, or more specifically the breakdown threshold, for a low-pressure gas strongly depends on density effects emanating in the likelihood for multiphoton and avalanche ionization. In this work, a comparison of thermometry techniques using laser-induced breakdown is made and an approach to perform simultaneous gas-phase thermometry on a shot-to-shot basis and spectroscopy is demonstrated by monitoring the moment in time the thermal plasma develops along the intensity gradient of a laser pulse. Breakdown thresholds are profiled along the height of a lean methane-air and partially combusting rich propane-air McKenna flame, and correlated to radiation and convection-corrected thermocouple readings.

Vernier spectrometer using counterpropagating soliton microcombs

Determination of laser frequency with high resolution under continuous and abrupt tuning conditions is important for sensing, spectroscopy, and communications. We show that a single microresonator provides rapid and broadband measurement of optical frequencies with a relative frequency precision comparable to that of conventional dual-frequency comb systems. Dual-locked counterpropagating solitons having slightly different repetition rates were used to implement a vernier spectrometer, which enabled characterization of laser tuning rates as high as 10 terahertz per second, broadly step-tuned lasers, multiline laser spectra, and molecular absorption lines. Besides providing a considerable technical simplification through the dual-locked solitons and enhanced capability for measurement of arbitrarily tuned sources, our results reveal possibilities for chip-scale spectrometers that exceed the performance of tabletop grating and interferometer-based devices.

Adiabatic four-wave mixing frequency conversion

We introduce the concept of adiabatic four-wave mixing (AFMW) frequency conversion in cubic nonlinear media through an analogy to dynamics in quantum two-level systems. Rapid adiabatic passage in four-wave mixing enables coherent near-100% photon number down-conversion or up-conversion over a bandwidth much larger than ordinary phase-matching bandwidths, overcoming the normal efficiency-bandwidth trade-off. We develop numerical methods to simulate AFWM pulse propagation in silicon photonics and fiber platforms as examples. First, we show that with a longitudinally varying silicon waveguide structure, a bandwidth of 70 nm centered at 1820 nm can be generated with 90% photon number conversion. Second, we predict the broadband generation of nanojoule energy, 4.2-5.2 μm mid-infrared light in a short, linearly tapered fluoride step-index fiber. We expect the AFWM concept to be broadly applicable to cubic nonlinear platforms, for applications as diverse as bright ultrafast light pulse generation, sensing, and conversion between telecommunications bands.

1.6 MHz scanning rate direct absorption temperature measurements using a single vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser diode

This paper presents 1.6 MHz scan rate, non-intrusive, time-resolved temperature measurements of a normal shock reflection from a plane end wall within a shock tube. A vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) was used to conduct tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy with water vapor as the probe species. The results are compared with analytical predictions. Temperatures measured with this technique agree within a single-scan standard deviation of ±33  K with calculated temperatures at a VCSEL modulation frequency of 800 kHz, which is sufficiently rapid enough to be used to investigate highly transient shock wave interaction processes.

Effect of noise-induced wavelength fluctuation in tunable diode lasers on narrow-linewidth absorption measurements

Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy is being widely used to make sensors for diagnostic purposes in various engineering applications. Since the wavelength of many diode lasers used in such sensors is sensitive to the driving current, even noise as small as a few μA_rms in the driving current can cause a wavelength fluctuation of ∼±0.5  pm, which is large enough to interfere with sensitive absorption measurements. Although these fluctuations are small, they can cause significant systematic error in measured absorption spectra in applications where the absorption line probed is narrow, as is the case for low-density hypersonic flows. As an example, at a pressure of 300 Pa and 297 K, the error in the full width at half-maximum was ±6.5% in an absorption spectrum obtained using a system based on a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser scanned at 10 kHz. This paper analyzes the effect of such systematic errors on measured temperature and velocity and suggests some remedial measures.

Determination of the Maximum Temperature in a Non-Uniform Hot Zone by Line-of-Site Absorption Spectroscopy with a Single Diode Laser

A new algorithm for the estimation of the maximum temperature in a non-uniform hot zone by a sensor based on absorption spectrometry with a diode laser is developed. The algorithm is based on the fitting of the absorption spectrum with a test molecule in a non-uniform zone by linear combination of two single temperature spectra simulated using spectroscopic databases. The proposed algorithm allows one to better estimate the maximum temperature of a non-uniform zone and can be useful if only the maximum temperature rather than a precise temperature profile is of primary interest. The efficiency and specificity of the algorithm are demonstrated in numerical experiments and experimentally proven using an optical cell with two sections. Temperatures and water vapor concentrations could be independently regulated in both sections. The best fitting was found using a correlation technique. A distributed feedback (DFB) diode laser in the spectral range around 1.343 µm was used in the experiments. Because of the significant differences between the temperature dependences of the experimental and theoretical absorption spectra in the temperature range 300–1200 K, a database was constructed using experimentally detected single temperature spectra. Using the developed algorithm the maximum temperature in the two-section cell was estimated with accuracy better than 30 K.

Wavelength modulation technique-based photoacoustic spectroscopy for multipoint gas sensing

A multipoint gas sensing scheme based on photoacoustic spectroscopy was proposed. Multiple photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) gas cells (resonant frequency f₀=5.0  kHz) were connected in series for the multipoint gas sensing with wavelength modulation technique. The PAS signal was excited by modulating the tunable distributed feedback laser diode wavelength at f₀/2 using a changing driving current. The gas concentration of each gas cell was obtained by the PAS signal, which was demodulated by the lock-in amplifier. A multipoint PAS experiment to detect the water vapor at 1368.597 nm was implemented to verify the scheme we presented. With the three PAS gas cells, the linear response to the water vapor concentration of our sensors achieved 0.9978, 0.99591, and 0.99617, and their minimum detection limits were 479, 662, and 630 ppb, respectively.

Data Processing Algorithm for Diagnostics of Combustion Using Diode Laser Absorption Spectrometry

A new algorithm for the evaluation of the integral line intensity for inferring the correct value for the temperature of a hot zone in the diagnostic of combustion by absorption spectroscopy with diode lasers is proposed. The algorithm is based not on the fitting of the baseline (BL) but on the expansion of the experimental and simulated spectra in a series of orthogonal polynomials, subtracting of the first three components of the expansion from both the experimental and simulated spectra, and fitting the spectra thus modified. The algorithm is tested in the numerical experiment by the simulation of the absorption spectra using a spectroscopic database, the addition of white noise, and the parabolic BL. Such constructed absorption spectra are treated as experimental in further calculations. The theoretical absorption spectra were simulated with the parameters (temperature, total pressure, concentration of water vapor) close to the parameters used for simulation of the experimental data. Then, spectra were expanded in the series of orthogonal polynomials and first components were subtracted from both spectra. The value of the correct integral line intensities and hence the correct temperature evaluation were obtained by fitting of the thus modified experimental and simulated spectra. The dependence of the mean and standard deviation of the evaluation of the integral line intensity on the linewidth and the number of subtracted components (first two or three) were examined. The proposed algorithm provides a correct estimation of temperature with standard deviation better than 60 K (for T = 1000 K) for the line half-width up to 0.6 cm^-1. The proposed algorithm allows for obtaining the parameters of a hot zone without the fitting of usually unknown BL.

Hybrid Photonic Cavity with Metal-Organic Framework Coatings for the Ultra-Sensitive Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds with High Immunity to Humidity

Detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at parts-per-billion (ppb) level is one of the most challenging tasks for miniature gas sensors because of the high requirement on sensitivity and the possible interference from moisture. Herein, for the first time, we present a novel platform based on a hybrid photonic cavity with metal-organic framework (MOF) coatings for VOCs detection. We have fabricated a compact gas sensor with detection limitation ranging from 29 to 99 ppb for various VOCs including styrene, toluene, benzene, propylene and methanol. Compared to the photonic cavity without coating, the MOF-coated solution exhibits a sensitivity enhancement factor up to 1000. The present results have demonstrated great potential of MOF-coated photonic resonators in miniaturized gas sensing applications.

Large amplitude wavelength modulation spectroscopy for sensitive measurements of broad absorbers

We demonstrate large amplitude wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) with a MEMS-tunable vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (MEMS-VCSEL) to measure high-density gases. WMS enables sensitive measurements of gas phase thermodynamic properties in harsh environments, but has been limited to moderate pressure and density conditions because of the narrow tuning range of traditional DFB lasers. The MEMS-tunable laser is able to rapidly modulate across the broadened features of high-density gas mixtures to produce the harmonic signals in the detected light intensity typical of WMS. We illustrate the technique on high-pressure mixtures of CO₂ in air that are 2.5 times higher density than previously published WMS measurements (equivalent to greater than 255 atm at 1500 K). We develop a WMS model that accounts for nonlinear tuning of the laser to enable extraction of thermodynamic properties from measured data. The agreement of the measured data and model suggests that this technique could be used now for calibrated measurements of gas concentration, and in the future for calibration-free operation with further high-pressure absorption model development and laser tuning characterization.

1.5-14 μm midinfrared supercontinuum generation in a low-loss Te-based chalcogenide step-index fiber

We have experimentally demonstrated midinfrared (MIR) supercontinuum (SC) generation in a low-loss Te-based chalcogenide (ChG) step-index fiber. The fiber, fabricated by an isolated extrusion method, has an optical loss of 2-3 dB/m at 6.2-10.3 μm and 3.2 dB/m at 10.6 μm, the lowest value reported for any Te-based ChG step-index fiber. A MIR SC spectrum (∼1.5 to 14 μm) is generated from the 23-cm fiber pumped by a 4.5 μm laser (∼150  fs, 1 kHz). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first SC experimental demonstration in Te-based ChG fiber and the broadest MIR SC generation pumped in the normal dispersion regime in the optical fibers.

Mid-infrared supercontinuum generation in silica photonic crystal fibers

A mid-infrared supercontinuum (SC) light source, which has important applications in many fields, has been extensively investigated in soft glass fibers. However, the poor instinct properties of soft glass fibers and the development of ultrashort pulse lasers left an opportunity for mid-infrared SC generation in silica fiber. Until now, silica fiber has been the commonly used medium for SC generation due to its outstanding properties. In this paper, mid-infrared SC generation in short silica photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) is investigated theoretically and systematically. In the case of a 1550�nm pump, the soliton self-frequency shift effect is utilized to extend the long wavelength edge of SC. Adopting a fiber that has a zero dispersion wavelength away from the pump pulse is a benefit for the suppression of blue spectral component and energy distribution in the long wavelength band. In the case of a 1950�nm pump, the generation of a red-shifted dispersive wave is an efficient way to extend the long wavelength edge of SC. Additionally, the coherence for femtosecond pulse pumping is discussed in this paper. Finally, the long wavelength edge of SC is beyond 3000�nm when a 1950�nm femtosecond pump pulse propagates in a PCF with negative dispersive slope around the pump pulse.

Mid-infrared supercontinuum generation in step-index As2S3 fibers pumped by a nanosecond shortwave-infrared supercontinuum pump source

A supercontinuum (SC) source spanning from 2 to 4 μm is demonstrated in As₂S₃-chalcogenide fibers pumped by a nanosecond supercontinuum pump source in the normal dispersion region. In this experiment, two pieces of 3-m-long step-index As₂S₃ fiber with different core diameters of 7 μm and 9 μm are pumped by a 1.9-2.5 μm nanosecond supercontinuum source. The zero dispersion wavelengths are both beyond 6.6 μm, thus cascaded stimulated Raman scattering is believed to be the dominant mechanism responsible for spectral broadening. With a low peak pump power of ~2.9 kW, both of the output spectra have extended to 4 μm with enhanced power distribution in the MIR region. The maximum output power of the mid-infrared supercontinua is ~140 mW. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first supercontinuum extenting to 4 μm in an As₂S₃ fiber pumped by shortwave-infrared SC pluses in the normal dispersion region.

Mid-infrared supercontinuum generation spanning 2.0 to 15.1 μm in a chalcogenide step-index fiber

We experimentally demonstrate mid-infrared (MIR) supercontinuum (SC) generation spanning ∼2.0 to 15.1 μm in a 3 cm-long chalcogenide step-index fiber. The pump source is generated by the difference frequency generation with a pulse width of ∼170  fs, a repetition rate of ∼1000  Hz, and a wavelength range tunable from 2.4 to 11 μm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the broadest MIR SC generation observed so far in optical fibers. It facilitates fiber-based applications in sensing, medical, and biological imaging areas.

Wavelength-modulated tunable diode-laser absorption spectrometry for real-time monitoring of microbial growth

It is important to monitor and assess the growth of micro-organisms under various conditions. Yet, thus far there has been no technique to do this with the required speed and accuracy. This work demonstrates swift and accurate assessment of the concentration of carbon dioxide that is produced by use of a wavelength-modulated tunable diode-laser based absorption spectroscopy (WM-TDLAS). It is shown by experiments on two types of bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, that the technique can produce high signal-to-noise-ratio data from bacteria grown in confined spaces and exposed to limited amounts of nutrients that can be used for extraction of growth parameters by fitting of the Gompertz model. By applying the technique to S. aureus bacteria at various temperatures (in the 25°C to 42°C range), it is specifically shown that both the maximum growth rate and the so-called lag time have a strong temperature dependence (under the specific conditions with a maximum of the former at 37°C) that matches conventional models well for bacterial growth. Hence, it is demonstrated that WM-TDLAS monitoring CO₂ is a user-friendly, non-intrusive, and label-free technique that swiftly, and with high signal-to-noise-ratio, can be used for rapid (on the Hz scale) and accurate assessment of bacterial growth.

High-Pressure Measurements of Temperature and CO2 Concentration Using Tunable Diode Lasers at 2 μm

A sensor for simultaneous measurements of temperature and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration at elevated pressure is developed using tunable diode lasers at 2 µm. Based on some selection rules, a CO2 line pair at 5006.140 and 5010.725 cm(-1) is selected for the TDL sensor. In order to ensure the accuracy and rapidity of the sensor, a quasi-fixed-wavelength WMS is employed. Normalization of the 2f signal with the 1f signal magnitude is used to remove the need for calibration and correct for transmission variation due to beam steering, mechanical misalignments, soot, and windows fouling. Temperatures are obtained from comparison of the background-subtracted 1f-normalized WMS-2f signals ratio and a 1f-normalized WMS-2f peak values ratio model. CO2 concentration is inferred from the 1f-normalized WMS-2f peak values of the CO2 transition at 5006.140 cm(-1). Measurements of temperature and CO2 concentration are carried out in static cell experiments (P = 1-10 atm, T = 500-1200 K) to validate the accuracy and ability of the sensor. The results show that accuracy of the sensor for temperature and CO2 concentration are 1.66% temperature and 3.1%, respectively. All the measurements show the potential utility of the sensor for combustion diagnose at elevated pressure.

Simultaneous detection of atmospheric CH(4) and CO using a single tunable multi-mode diode laser at 2.33 μm

We report on the first application (to our knowledge) of an extended-wavelength (2.33 μm) multi-mode diode laser for simultaneous measurement of the concentrations of CH(4) and CO in the ambient air. The signals identification and quantitative analysis are performed using correlation spectroscopy. A Herriott cell and the wavelength modulation spectroscopy technique with second harmonic detection are also utilized to improve the detection sensitivity of the system. The detection limits of the system are estimated to be about 81 ppbv and 31 ppbv for CH(4) and CO, respectively. The accuracy, sensitivity, precision, and stability are also analyzed to confirm the potential of the system.

Fiber-coupled diode-laser sensors for calibration-free stand-off measurements of gas temperature, pressure, and composition

A fiber-coupled near-infrared diode-laser sensor for stand-off measurements of gas temperature, pressure, and composition is presented. This sensor utilizes a fiber bundle with six multimode catch fibers surrounding one single-mode pitch fiber to transmit and receive backscattered laser light in a handheld transmitter/receiver. Scanned-wavelength-modulation spectroscopy with 1f-normalized 2f-detection and fast (80-200 kHz) wavelength modulation were used to provide calibration-free measurements and reduce the influence of spurious cavity noise formed by the overlapping transmitted and reflected laser light. Demonstrations include two-color measurements of temperature, pressure, and H(2)O near 1.4 μm in a propane flame at 2 kHz (SNR=200) and measurements of CH(4) near 1.65 μm (SNR=20 to 1500) at stand-off distances of 15 cm and 10 m, respectively. The fraction of photons collected ranged from 10(4) to 1 parts per million at stand-off distances from 10 cm to 10 m, respectively, and is similar for aluminum and paper reflectors.

Precision in harsh environments

Microsystems are increasingly being applied in harsh and/or inaccessible environments, but many markets expect the same level of functionality for long periods of time. Harsh environments cover areas that can be subjected to high temperature, (bio)-chemical and mechanical disturbances, electromagnetic noise, radiation, or high vacuum. In the field of actuators, the devices must maintain stringent accuracy specifications for displacement, force, and response times, among others. These new requirements present additional challenges in the compensation for or elimination of cross-sensitivities. Many state-of-the-art precision devices lose their precision and reliability when exposed to harsh environments. It is also important that advanced sensor and actuator systems maintain maximum autonomy such that the devices can operate independently with low maintenance. The next-generation microsystems will be deployed in remote and/or inaccessible and harsh environments that present many challenges to sensor design, materials, device functionality, and packaging. All of these aspects of integrated sensors and actuator microsystems require a multidisciplinary approach to overcome these challenges. The main areas of importance are in the fields of materials science, micro/nano-fabrication technology, device design, circuitry and systems, (first-level) packaging, and measurement strategy. This study examines the challenges presented by harsh environments and investigates the required approaches. Examples of successful devices are also given.