Enhancement of a tunable diode laser tropospheric trace gas measurement system

Bryan P. Wert; Alan Fried; Bruce E. Henry; James R. Drummond

doi:10.1117/12.366441

25 October 1999 Enhancement of a tunable diode laser tropospheric trace gas measurement system

Bryan P. Wert, Alan Fried, Bruce E. Henry, James R. Drummond

Proceedings Volume 3758, Application of Tunable Diode and Other Infrared Sources for Atmospheric Studies and Industrial Processing Monitoring II; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.366441
Event: SPIE's International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1999, Denver, CO, United States

Abstract

Rapid and accurate ambient measurements of the tropospheric trace gas formaldehyde (CH₂O) have been made by the NCAR low altitude tunable diode laser absorption spectrometer on both aircraft and ground based platforms. Field sensitivities of 80 - 120 pptv in 1 minute (40 - 60 pptv in 5 min) were typical of the first aircraft version of the instrument, providing good resolution for studying formaldehyde's role in the oxidative mechanisms of the troposphere. Recently the instrument has been modified to provide simultaneous detection of a second tropospherically interesting molecule, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), as well as enhanced measurement precision and instrument stability. The optic assembly of the new Dual Channel Airborne Laser System (DCALS) has been designed to be more mechanically stable and better thermally conditioned. Other improvements include measures to mitigate optical noise, stabilize cell pressure, and minimize sample perturbation. Measurements of formaldehyde by DCALS at a ground site during the 1999 Southern Oxidants Study show improved sensitivities of 30 - 100 pptv in 1 minute, and much better long term instrument stability.

Citation Download Citation

Bryan P. Wert, Alan Fried, Bruce E. Henry, and James R. Drummond "Enhancement of a tunable diode laser tropospheric trace gas measurement system", Proc. SPIE 3758, Application of Tunable Diode and Other Infrared Sources for Atmospheric Studies and Industrial Processing Monitoring II, (25 October 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.366441

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