Miniature Gas Sampling Cell for Long Pathlength Diode Laser Spectroscopy

70656 Trace gas measurement systems, needed for atmospheric sampling, are too bulky and delicate to take to the field, where measurements of trace gases would prove to be of great value. This project will fabricate a novel sampling cell arrangement that incorporates a robust optical microresonator. In the sampling cell, a novel fiber-coupled probe will be implemented as a silica microsphere. In Phase I, a prototype microresonator and a gas handling system, calibrated to the prototype at atmospheric pressure, will be constructed. To prove the concept, the effectiveness of the system will be demonstrated using samples of ammonia and nitric acid. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: A highly sensitive trace gas measurement system that is less complex, smaller, lighter, and more rugged than existing systems would allow for deployment to the field for on-site measurements. Also, the system could be installed in industrial process lines or facilities for leak detection and monitoring.