Compact, Low Cost CO2 Isotope Ratiometer

76163-In order to address the global warming issue, a distinction must be made between natural sources of carbon in the atmosphere and those resulting from human activity. Carbon isotope ratio measurements are used to distinguish between these two sources, but currently available instruments are too large and costly. This project will combine a novel single frequency mid-infrared laser source with a flowing gas sample cell arrangement to determine this ratio. The resulting instrument will be low cost, compact, rugged, and energy efficient, and enable CO2 isotope ratios to be determined with a precision exceeding 0.01% min-1. The mid-infrared laser source will be demonstrated during Phase I and integrated into a bench-scale laboratory instrument to perform CO2 isotope ratio measurements. The results of these tests will demonstrate the precision and accuracy of the approach, and will be used to determine specifications for the Phase II instrument. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The worldwide market for low cost, high precision CO2 isotope ratiometers should be quite large due to the need to monitor greenhouse gas emissions and enforce world-wide emission standards. Other commercial applications include trace gas monitoring, pollution monitoring, and industrial process monitoring.