Carbon dioxide laser absorption spectra of toxic industrial compounds

Photoacoustic spectroscopy for process analysis

Photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) is based on the absorption of electromagnetic radiation by analyte molecules. The absorbed energy is measured by detecting pressure fluctuations in the form of sound waves or shock pulses. In contrast to conventional absorption spectroscopy (such as UV/Vis spectroscopy), PAS allows the determination of absorption coefficients over several orders of magnitude, even in opaque and strongly scattering samples. Small absorption coefficients, such as those encountered during trace gas monitoring, can be detected with cells with relatively short pathlengths. Furthermore, PA techniques allow absorption spectra of solid samples (including powders, chips or large objects) to be determined, and they permit depth profiling of layered systems. These features mean that PAS can be used for on-line monitoring in technical processes without the need for sample preparation and to perform depth-resolved characterization of industrial products. This article gives an overview on PA excitation and detection schemes employed in analytical chemistry, and reviews applications of PAS in process analytical technology and characterization of industrial products.

Backscatter absorption gas imaging: a new technique for gas visualization

This paper presents a new laser-based method of gas detection that permits real-time television images of gases to be produced. The principle of this technique [which is called backscatter absorption gas imaging (BAGI)] and the operation of two instruments used to implement it are described. These instruments use 5-W and 20-W CO(2) lasers to achieve gas imaging at ranges of approximately 30 and 125 m, respectively. Derivations of relevant BAGI signal equations that can be used to predict the performance of a gas imager are provided. The predictions of this model and the measured range performance of an extended-range gas imager are compared. Finally, the results of gas sensitivity measurements and imaging tests on flowing gases are presented. These can be used to generate a realistic estimate of the BAGI sensitivity expected in detecting leaks of many different vapors.

Trace detection of hydrazines by optical homodyne interferometry

A photothermal laser interferometric system is described that has sufficient sensitivity to allow the detection of the hydrazines: hydrazine, monomethylhydrazine, and unsymmetrical dimethyihydrazine at part per billion concentrations. A line tunable CO(2) laser excites the trace hydrazine molecules in one arm of a modified Jamin interferometer illuminated with a single frequency He-Ne laser. The CO(2) laser beam intersects one of the He-Ne beams in the interferometer at a small angle, so there is no interaction of the IR and visible laser beams at any optical components in the system. The system operates with computer control of interferometer alignment, CO(2) excitation laser tuning, and data acquisition.