A Dual-Gas Sensor Using Photoacoustic Spectroscopy Based on a Single Acoustic Resonator

Abstract

A dual-gas photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) sensor based on wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) was developed and experimentally demonstrated. Distributed feedback (DFB) laser diodes, emitting at 1512 and 1653 nm, were utilized as the excitation sources for the simultaneous measurement of NH3 and CH4, respectively. The PAS signal was excited by modulating the DFB laser at the first longitudinal resonant frequency of a cylindrical acoustic resonator. Absorption lines for NH3 and CH4 were simultaneously recorded during one frequency scan of the DFB lasers without using any optical switch. The interference of NH3 and CH4 on each other was investigated for accurate detection. The limits of detection (LoDs) of the PAS sensor for NH3 and CH4 for an integration time of 100 s were determined to be 0.1 and 0.3 ppm, respectively. The present PAS sensor provides a new scheme for multi-gas analysis with the advantages of cost-effectiveness, a simple structure and multi-wavelength operation.