Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026

Quantitative Detection of Trace Explosive Vapors by Programmed Temperature Desorption Gas Chromatography-Electron Capture Detector
Published on: July 25, 2014
Quantum cascade laser-based photoacoustic spectroscopy for trace vapor detection and molecular discrimination
Ellen Holthoff1, John Bender, Paul Pellegrino
1United States Army Research Laboratory, RDRL-SEE-O, 2800 Powder Mill Road, Adelphi, MD 20783, USA. ellen.holthoff@us.army.mil
Abstract:
We report on the development of a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-scale photoacoustic sensor for the detection of trace gases. A mid-infrared quantum cascade laser (QCL) was used to determine detection limits for acetic acid, acetone, 1,4-dioxane, and vinyl acetate. The source was continuously tunable from 1015 cm(-1) to 1240 cm(-1), allowing for the collection of photoacoustic vibrational spectra for these gases. Exceptional agreement between the measured photoacoustic spectra and the infrared spectra for acetic acid, acetone, 1,4-dioxane, and vinyl acetate was observed. Partial least-squares (PLS) regression was used to develop an algorithm for classification of these compounds based solely on photoacoustic spectra.
Related Concept Videos
Gas Chromatography: Types of Detectors-II
Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation
There are three main types of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) instruments: sequential, simultaneous multichannel, and Fourier transform instruments, with the latter being less commonly used.
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography: Types of Detectors
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Lab
Atomic Spectroscopy: Absorption, Emission, and Fluorescence
Gas Chromatography: Types of Detectors-I
TCD is the earliest and most widely used detector that operates by measuring the changes in the thermal conductivity of the carrier gas. When a sample compound enters the detector,...

