Antimonide Laser Spectrometer for measuring the flux of ammonia

This Phase I SBIR research project will investigate the feasibility of an ammonia sensor based on an antimonide laser and an advanced, low noise modulation spectroscopy method. The rapid response and high sensitivity will allow the use of the eddy correlation method to provide continuous measurement of ammonia flux. Minor adjustments to the laser operating point will allow the instrument to measure the flux of methane or nitrous oxide. Tasks in Phase I include modeling and measuring the spectrum of ammonia near 2300 nm, using a simulated annealing algorithm to solve the nonlinear equations optimizing the modulation function and validating the solution with experimental measurements, testing the time response of materials for the sample system, and estimating the performance of a fully engineered system.