Nitric Oxide Analysis Down to ppt Levels by Optical-Feedback Cavity-Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy

Abstract

Monitoring nitric oxide at the trace level is required in a large range of applications. We report on a trace gas analyzer optimized for nitric oxide measurements by Optical Feedback Cavity Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy with an interband cascade laser at 5.3 µm. The short response time of the instrument allows for reaching the level of 50 ppt in only 180 ms. Its stability enables averaging up to 12 min to reach a detection limit of 0.9 ppt. Absolute concentration calibration requires to account for the optical saturation effect that results from the intense absorption line intensity addressed here, in the mid infrared region, in contrast to instruments that are operating in the near infrared region.

Keywords

• nitric oxide
• trace gas sensor
• infrared laser spectroscopy
• cavity enhanced spectroscopy
• interband cascade laser
• real-time monitoring