Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
09:10
Construction and Characterization of External Cavity Diode Lasers for Atomic Physics
Published on: April 24, 2014
Development of a cw-laser-based cavity-ringdown sensor aboard a spacecraft for trace air constituents
1The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA.
Applied Physics. B, Lasers and Optics
|February 26, 2003
Summary
A new sensor using continuous-wave cavity ringdown spectroscopy (cw-CRDS) effectively monitors trace gases in spacecraft air. This technology demonstrates high sensitivity and selectivity for critical air quality components.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Spectroscopy
- Aerospace Engineering
Background:
- Spacecraft air quality monitoring is crucial for crewed missions.
- Existing methods may lack the sensitivity or selectivity required for trace gas detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the development of a sensor for detecting trace air constituents.
- To monitor spacecraft air quality using advanced spectroscopic techniques.
Main Methods:
- Utilized continuous-wave (cw), external-cavity tunable diode laser spectroscopy.
- Employed cw-cavity ringdown spectroscopy (cw-CRDS) with an optical cavity absorption cell.
- Operated the laser system centered at 1.55 micrometers.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated the sensitivity, selectivity, and reproducibility of the cw-CRDS method.
- Calculated detection limits: CO (2.0 ppm), CO2 (2.5 ppm), H2O (1.8 ppm), NH3 (19.4 ppb), HCN (7.9 ppb), C2H2 (4.0 ppb).
Conclusions:
- The developed cw-CRDS sensor shows significant promise for real-time spacecraft air quality monitoring.
- The method achieves high sensitivity for critical trace gases relevant to life support systems.
