Next Generation Sensor for High Precision Measurements of CO2

78706S Trace species such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and methane are important in the carbon cycle of the atmosphere and in global climate change. Highly precise measurements of these species are important to carbon cycle studies and global warming research. New, compact, low maintenance, and low cost instrumentation is required to make measurements of these trace gases with high specificity and sensitivity in national and international monitoring networks. This project will design and demonstrate a high precision optical absorption spectrometer to monitor trace species such as carbon dioxide will be. The spectrometer will combine advances in diode laser technology with cavity enhanced absorption methods, resulting in detection precisions on the order of 1 part in 3000. The cost of acquisition will allow wide deployment in atmospheric monitoring networks. During Phase I, a tunable diode laser will be coupled to a high finesse optical cavity and the required measurement precision for ambient monitoring of CO2 will be demonstrated. A complete conceptual design for a compact, lightweight sensor that is particularly well suited for network monitoring will be developed. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The highly precise monitor for trace gases should fulfill a long-standing need for a precise instrument that is rugged enough for the field and economical enough for widespread use in environmental and air quality monitoring. Other applications include combustion emissions analysis, fugitive emissions control, industrial process control, and contraband detection.