Flight-Based Instrumentation for In Situ Measurements of Multiple Trace Gases

Los Gatos Research proposes to develop a novel, flight-ready, instrument based on a new technology called Off-Axis Integrated Cavity Output Spectroscopy and continuous-wave, mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers to simultaneously measure the concentrations of CO, CH4, and N2O in the stratosphere and troposphere. These species have been identified as strong greenhouse gases, have very long atmospheric lifetimes, and thus play an important role in climate change. The proposed multi-laser Off-Axis ICOS instrument will measure all three of these species simultaneously while on board a NASA aircraft. In Phase I, we have demonstrated feasibility by building a laboratory prototype Off-Axis ICOS instrument and measuring CH4 in the near-infrared and CO in the mid-infrared. In Phase II, LGR will perform a series of scientific studies to characterize the selected absorption features, engineer a flight-ready, multiple-species analyzer, and test the analyzer aboard an aircraft before delivering the final system to NASA.