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High Speed Sub-GHz Spectrometer for Brillouin Scattering Analysis
Published on: December 22, 2015
First demonstration of a high performance difference frequency spectrometer on airborne platforms
Optics Express
|June 25, 2009
Summary
This study details the first airborne deployment of a mid-infrared spectrometer for sensitive formaldehyde detection. The system achieved high sensitivity, demonstrating its effectiveness during extensive flight missions.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric chemistry
- Spectroscopy
- Environmental monitoring
Background:
- Formaldehyde is a key atmospheric pollutant.
- Accurate measurement of formaldehyde is crucial for air quality studies.
- Previous airborne formaldehyde measurement techniques had limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the first airborne deployment and performance evaluation of a mid-infrared difference frequency spectrometer for formaldehyde.
- To demonstrate the system's high sensitivity and reliability in real-world atmospheric conditions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a mid-infrared difference frequency spectrometer (DFG) system.
- Employed a laser system mixing a DFB diode laser (1562 nm) and a DFB fiber laser (1083 nm) in a periodically poled LiNbO3 (PPLN) crystal.
- Integrated advanced LabVIEW software for lock-in detection, optical noise subtraction, thermal control, and wavelength stabilization.
Main Results:
- Achieved high sensitivity of approximately 20 parts-per-trillion by volume (pptv) for formaldehyde measurements with 30s averaging.
- Demonstrated instrument performance over 300 flight hours across three airborne field missions (MIRAGE, IMPEX, TexAQS).
- Successfully operated the system on two distinct airborne platforms (NCAR's C-130 and NOAA's P-3 aircraft).
Conclusions:
- The developed mid-IR DFG spectrometer system is suitable for highly sensitive airborne formaldehyde measurements.
- The instrument proved reliable and effective during extensive field deployments.
- This technology advances capabilities for atmospheric formaldehyde monitoring.
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