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Direct Imaging of Laser-driven Ultrafast Molecular Rotation
Published on: February 4, 2017
Real-time FPGA data collection of pulsed-laser cavity ringdown signals.
T G Spence1, M E Calzada, H M Gardner
1Loyola University New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA. tgspence@loyno.edu
Optics Express
|April 20, 2012
Summary
This study introduces a new pulsed-laser cavity ring-down spectrometer using real-time data collection. It enables accurate absorbance determination from single events, potentially achieving 1 MHz data rates.
Area of Science:
- Spectroscopy
- Laser Technology
- Data Acquisition
Background:
- Cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) is a sensitive technique for measuring trace gases.
- Traditional CRDS data analysis involves fitting ring-down time, which can limit acquisition rates.
- Advancements in real-time data processing are needed to enhance CRDS performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a novel pulsed-laser cavity ring-down spectrometer.
- To demonstrate a new data extraction method for CRDS.
- To achieve high-speed, accurate absorbance measurements.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a pulsed-laser cavity ring-down spectrometer.
- Implemented a novel field-programmable gate array (FPGA) for real-time data collection.
- Developed a theoretical and experimental approach for single-event data extraction.
Main Results:
- Successfully extracted data from single cavity ring-down events.
- Determined absorbance without explicit fitting of the ring-down time.
- Achieved data acquisition rates up to 1 MHz.
- Demonstrated accuracy and precision comparable to nonlinear least squares fitting.
Conclusions:
- The novel methodology enables high-speed CRDS data acquisition.
- Single-event analysis simplifies data processing while maintaining accuracy.
- This approach has the potential to significantly advance CRDS applications.
