Spectroscopy of trace gases using a pulsed optoacoustic technique

Abstract

The spectra of C₂H₄ , CO₂ , NO₂ and SO₂ were recorded using a laboratory-built pulsed optoacoustic spectrometer. A single mode pulsed transversely excited atmospheric CO₂ laser was used as the excitation source. For C₂H₄ , a detection limit of 50 ppt v/v (10^–12) was achieved, while for CO₂ , NO₂ and SO₂ the detection limits were 100, 100 and 50 ppb v/v (10^–9), respectively.