An Innovative Gas Sensor with On-Chip Reference Using Monolithic Twin Laser

An innovative gas sensor with on-chip reference using a monolithic twin laser is proposed. In this sensor a monolithic twin laser generates two closer laser beams with slight different wavelengths alternatively, one photodiode is used to catch both absorption and reference signals by time division multiplexing. The detection of nitrous oxide adopting this scheme using a 2.1μm antimonide laser and an InGaAs photodiode has been demonstrated experimentally with detection limit below 1ppm. Using this on chip reference scheme the fluctuations from the optical path and devices can be compensated effectively; the sensor system is simplified distinctly.     

An approach of open-path gas sensor based on tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy

Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy(TDLAS)is a new method to detect trace-gas qualitatively or quantificationally based on the scan characteristic of the diode laser to obtain the absorption spectroscopy in the characteristic absorption region.A time-sharing scanning open-path TDLAS system using two near infrared distributed feedback(DFB)tunable diode lasers is designed to detect CH_4 and H_2S in leakage of natural gas.A low-cost Fresnel lens is used in this system as receiving optics which receives the laser beam reflected by a solid corner cube reflector with a distance of up to about 60 m.High sensitivity is achieved by means of wavelength-modulation spectroscopy with second-harmonic detection.The minimum detection limits of 1.1 ppm·m for CH_4 and 15 ppm·m for H_2S are demonstrated with a total optical path of 120 m.The simulation monitoring experiment of nature gas leakage was carried out with this system. According to the receiving light efficiency of optical system and detectable minimum light intensity of detection,the detectable optical path of the system can achieve 1-2 km.The sensor is suitable for natural gas leakage monitoring application.     

Experimental 511 W Composite Nd：YAG Ceramic Laser

We demonstrate a 511 W laser diode pumped composite Nd：YAG ceramic laser. The optical pumping system is consisted of five laser diode stacked arrays arranged in a pentagonal shape around the ceramic rod whose size is φ6.35×144mm. When the pumping power is 1600 W, the cw laser output up to 511 W at 1064nm can be obtained with a linear piano-piano cavity, and the optical-to-optical efficiency is 31.9%. To our knowledge, this is the highest value of laser output by using a newly invented composite Nd：YAG ceramic rod as the gain medium.     

A Silicon-Based Positive-Intrinsic-Negative Photodetector Double Linear Array on a Thick Intrinsic Epitaxial Layer

To measure small particles in clouds without the optical amplification system, a new type of p-i-n photodetector linear array with 128 diode units altogether is designed and realized. In each die, there are two rows of photodiode line array, and each row has 64 photodiodes. Every photodiode has a size of 100 μm × 100 μm with an individual output, and each of them is isolated by the trenches. The depth of them has the same thickness as that of the epitaxial layer, which is designed to be 30 μm to guarantee sufficient absorption of photons and leave a margin for the diffusion of p-type and n-type region. The detector has been tested with a laser whose wavelength was 650nm and irradiance is 50mW/cm2. The achieved photocurrent is 2μA. Hence, the current responsivity is about 0.4A/W, and the external quantum efficiency is 76.45%. The dark current is less than 600pA. Both of the sufficient absorption of photons and low dark current are achieved by utilizing the thick epitaxial intrinsic layer. Low interference of adjacent photodiodes is also guaranteed by the trenches around the photodiodes. With the obtained performance, the photodetector can be used to measure the diameter of precipitation particles in clouds. Therefore, rainfall can be judged based on the diameter of particles.     

Frequency stabilization of diode laser to 1.637 μm based on the methane absorption line

The frequency of an external-cavity diode laser has been stabilized to 1.637 μm by using the reference of absorption lines of methane. The method can be applied to wavelength division multiplexed optical communication, fiber-optic sensing systems, as well as the high-sensitivity detection of methane. The derivative-like error signal yielded by frequency modulation and phase sensitivity detection technology is inputted into the PI feedback loop circuit in order to stabilize the frequency to the line center. After stabilization, the frequency fluctuation of diode laser is held within 5.6 MHz, and the root of Allan variance of error signal reaches a minimum of 1.66×10-10 for an average time of 10 s.     

Dynamics of Efficiency Change by Temperature in Diode Pumped Nd：YAG Heat Capacity Laser

We investigate the influence of temperature on the efficiency of diode pumped Nd：YAG heat capacity laser is studied. It is shown that the efficiency of such a laser system is greatly reduced at higher temperature. This bad behaviour is mainly caused by the doped-ion redistribution among various Stark levels of the ground state, and by a thermal equilibrium between the upper laser level and the pump level. Meanwhile, the thermal excitations from the ground state to the lower laser level also play a role. We derive a model to describe those effects, with the considerations of emission spectrum of laser diodes, the subtle Stark structures and the linewidth of absorption and of simulated-emission.     

Wavelength Modulation Absorption Spectroscopy Using a Frequency-Quadruped Current-Modulated System

A wavelength modulation absorption spectrometry （WMAS） with a frequency-quadruped system is demonstrated. The frequency-quadruped system consists of a two-frequency doubled external enhancement cavity with KNO3 and BBO crystals, and a current-modulated 906-nm single mode external cavity diode laser （ECDL）, which generates the tunable wavelength modulated radiation at 226.7nm used to detect the NO absorption line that belongs to the combined Q22（10.5） and QR12（10.5） lines of γ（0,0） band within the A^2∑^＋ -X^2II electronic transition system. The 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd harmonic spectra are accomplished to show that it is possible to detect samples using the frequency quadruped system combined with the WMAS technique that can find practical applicability in the future.     

In Vivo Monitoring of Neovascularization in Tumour Angiogenesis by Photoacoustic Tomography

Photoacoustic tomography （PAT） is presented to in vivo monitor neovascularization in tumour angiogenesis with high resolution and high contrast images in a rat. With a circular scan system, the photoacoustic signal, generated by laser pulses at a wavelength of 532nm from a Q-switched Nd：YAG laser is captured by a hydrophone with a diameter of 1 mm and a sensitivity of 850nV/Pa. The vascular structure around the rat tumour is imaged clearly, with optimal contrast, because blood has strong absorption near this wavelength. Serial noninvasive photoacoustic images of neovascularization in tumour angiogenesis are also obtained consecutively from a growing tumour implanted under the skin of a rat over a period of two weeks. This work demonstrates that PAT can potentially provide a powerful tool for tumour angiogenesis detection in cancer research. It will bring us closer to clinical applications for tumour diagnosis and treatment monitoring.     

All solid-state, injection-seeded Tirsapphire ring laser

In this letter, we present an all solid-state, injection-seeded Ti:sapphire laser. The laser is pumped by a laser diode pumped frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser, and injection-seeded by an external cavity laser diode with the wavelength between 770 and 780 nm. The single longitude mode and the doubling efficiency of the laser are obtained after injection seeding. The experimental setup and relative results are reported. It is a good candidate laser source for mobile differential absorption lidar (DIAL) system.     

All solid-state, injection-seeded Ti: sapphire ring laser

In this letter, we present an all solid-state, injection-seeded Ti:sapphire laser. The laser is pumped by a laser diode pumped frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser, and injection-seeded by an external cavity laser diode with the wavelength between 770 and 780 nm. The single longitude mode and the doubling efficiency of the laser are obtained after injection seeding. The experimental setup and relative results are reported.It is a good candidate laser source for mobile differential absorption lidar (DIAL) system.     

All solid-state passively Q-switched frequency-doubled intra-cavity Nd:GdVO_4/KTP laser

In this letter, we present an all solid-state, injection-seeded Ti:sapphire laser. The laser is pumped by a laser diode pumped frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser, and injection-seeded by an external cavity laser diode with the wavelength between 770 and 780 nm. The single longitude mode and the doubling efficiency of the laser are obtained after injection seeding. The experimental setup and relative results are reported. It is a good candidate laser source for mobile differential absorption lidar (DIAL) system.     

Dynamic thermal modeling and parameter identification for a monolithic laser diode module

We improved the thermal equivalent-circuit model of the laser diode module(LDM) to evaluate its thermal dynamic properties and calculate the junction temperature of the laser diode with a high accuracy.The thermal parameters and the transient junction temperature of the LDM are modeled and obtained according to the temperature of the thermistor integrated in the module.Our improved thermal model is verified indirectly by monitoring the emission wavelength of the laser diode against gas absorption lines,and several thermal parameters are obtained with the temperature uncertainty of 0.01 K in the thermal dynamic process.     

Large scale gas leakage monitoring with tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy

Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) has been widely employed in atmospheric trace gases detecting and industrial control due to its high sensitivity, selectivity, and rapidity of response. An open path TDLAS system is developed for monitoring large scale methane leakage around the oil refinery. The tunable distributed feedback (DFB) diode laser emits at 1.65 fun. In order to enhance the sensitivity, a system combining long open path and second harmonic detection technique is developed. The test results show that the time resolution is less than 0.1 second and the detection limit is lower than 3.6 ppmv. This system is adapted for monitoring a large scale methane concentration changing trend instead of measuring its absolute concentration.     

Large scale gas leakage monitoring with tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy

Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) has been widely employed in atmospheric trace gases detecting and industrial control due to its high sensitivity, selectivity, and rapidity of response. An open path TDLAS system is developed for monitoring large scale methane leakage around the oil refinery.The tunable distributed feedback (DFB) diode laser emits at 1.65μm. In order to enhance the sensitivity,a system combining long open path and second harmonic detection technique is developed. The test results show that the time resolution is less than 0.1 second and the detection limit is lower than 3.6 ppmv. This system is adapted for monitoring a large scale methane concentration changing trend instead of measuring its absolute concentration.     

Cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy for N_2O detection at 2.86 μm using a continuous tunable color center laser

The cavity enhanced absorption technique is applied to N2O detection around 2.86 μm using a continuous-wave color center laser. A high-finesse triangular ring cavity is used in this technology. Transmission through the cavity is obtained by jittering the cavity-length with a piezo on one of the cavity mirrors. A minimum detectable absorption coefficient of 2 × 10-6 cm-1 is achieved with a mirror reflectivity of 99.24%, corresponding to a N2O detection limit of 600 parts per billion.     

Fiber-distributed multi-channel open-path H_2S sensor based on tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy

Tunable diode laser based gas detectors are now being used in a wide variety of applications for safety and environmental interest. A fiber-distributed multi-channel open-path H2S sensor based on tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) is developed, the laser used is a telecommunication near infrared distributed feed-back (DFB) tunable diode laser, combining with wavelength modulation spectroscopy technology, a detection limit of 20 ppm·m is demonstrated. Multi-channel detection is achieved by combining optical fiber technique. An on-board reference cell provides on-line sensor calibration and almost maintenance-free operation. The sensor is suitable for large area field H2S monitoring application.     

Gas Sensor Using a Robust Approach under Time Multiplexing Scheme with a Twin Laser Chip for Absorption and Reference

A tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy nitrous oxide gas sensor at 2.1 micrometres using one antimonide twin laser chip and one InGaAs photodiode is demonstrated, in which time multiplexing techniques are adopted to acquiring both the absorption and reference signal in a robust fluctuation tolerable scheme. Electronics in analogue modality is developed to extracting absorption information and compensating for fluctuations, resulting in a direct analogue voltage output corresponding to the target gas concentration in real time. The performance of the gas sensor is evaluated experimentally, the validity and feasibility of this scheme is also discussed.     

Sensitive absorption measurements of hydrogen sulfide at 1.578 μm using wavelength modulation spectroscopy

Sensitive detection of hydrogen sulfide(H2S) has been performed by means of wavelength modulation spectroscopy(WMS) near 1.578 μm. With the scan amplitude and the stability of the background baseline taken into account, the response time is 4 s for a 0.8 L multi-pass cell with a 56.7 m effective optical path length. Moreover, the linearity has been tested in the 0–50 ppmv range. The detection limit achievable by the Allan variance is 224 ppb within 24 s under room temperature and ambient pressure conditions. This tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy(TDLAS) system for H2 S detection has the feasibility of real-time online monitoring in many applications.     

Atmospheric N_2O gas detection based on an inter-band cascade laser around 3.939 μm

N_2O is a significant atmospheric greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming and climate change. In this work,the high sensitivity detection of atmospheric N_2O is achieved using wavelength modulation spectroscopy(WMS) with an inter-band cascade laser operating around 3.939 μm. A Lab VIEW-based software signal generator and software lock-in amplifiers are designed to simplify the system. In order to eliminate the interference from water vapor, the detection was performed at a pressure of 0.1 atm(1 atm = 1.01325×10~5 Pa) and a drying tube was added to the system. To improve the system performance for long term detection, a novel frequency locking method and 2 f/1 f calibration-free method were employed to lock the laser frequency and calibrate the power fluctuations, respectively. The Allan deviation analysis of the results indicates a detection limit of ～ 20 ppb(1 ppb = 1.81205 μg/m~3) for a 1 s integration time, and the optimal detection limit is ～ 5 ppb for a 40-s integration time.     

Q-Switched Large-Mode-Area Yb-Doped Fibre Laser Using GaAs as Saturable Absorber

A passive Q-switched large-mode-area Yb-doped fibre laser is demonstrated using a GaAs wafer as the saturable absorber. A high Yb doping concentration double-clad fibre with a core diameter of 30μm and a numerical aperture of 0.07 is used to increase the laser gain volume, permitting greater energy storage and higher output power than conventional fibres. The maximum average output power is 7.2W at 1080nm wavelength, with the shortest pulse duration of 580ns and the highest peak power of 161W when the laser is pumped with a 25W diode laser operating at 976nm. The repetition rate increases with the pump power linearly and the highest repetition rate of 77kHz is obtained in the experiment.