Vernier frequency sampling: a new tuning approach in spectroscopy—application to multi-wavelength integrated path DIAL

We present novel frequency tuning methods for broadband mid-infrared spectroscopy that take advantage of the unique frequency sampling properties of our recently developed “nested dual-cavity doubly resonant optical parametric oscillator” (NesCOPO). These methods, referred to as Vernier frequency sampling, enable mode-hop tuning with an adjustable virtual-cavity intermode spacing. Both frequency resolution and span are widely adjustable and can be tailored to fulfill the requirements either for broadband spectroscopy (>50 cm^?1 spectral coverage) at low resolution or for high resolution (<0.01 cm^?1) narrow band spectroscopy. The technique is applied to short-range (10 to 30 m) atmospheric CO₂ measurements at 4.2 µm using integrated path differential absorption LIDAR.     

Fourier transform spectroscopy around 3 μm with a broad difference frequency comb

We characterize a new mid-infrared frequency comb generator based on difference frequency generation around 3.1 μm. High power per comb mode (>10^?7 W/mode) is obtained over a broad spectral span (>750 nm, >790 cm^?1). The source is used for direct absorption spectroscopy with a Michelson-based Fourier transform interferometer.     

Grating-coupled external-cavity short-wavelength (λ ≈ 3.9 μm) InGaAs/InAlAs/AlAs quantum-cascade lasers

In this work, the tunability properties of short-wavelength (λ ~ 3.9 μm) quantum-cascade lasers (QCLs) were studied, which is a first in the world at such short wavelengths. The experimental setup of an external cavity (EC) QCL was arranged in a Littrow configuration. A tuning range over 75 cm^?1 has been achieved by using an uncoated 23 μm stripe-width QCL at room temperature. A single-mode operation could be obtained at 2527 and 2544 cm^?1 at different grating angles by using an anti-reflection (AR) coated 23 μm ridge. A 5 μm stripe-width QCL without an AR coating could be tuned over 160 cm^?1.     

Mid-infrared fiber-coupled QCL-QEPAS sensor

An innovative spectroscopic system based on an external cavity quantum cascade laser (EC-QCL) coupled with a mid-infrared (mid-IR) fiber and quartz enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (QEPAS) is described. SF₆ has been selected as a target gas in demonstration of the system for trace gas sensing. Single mode laser delivery through the prongs of the quartz tuning fork has been obtained employing a hollow waveguide fiber with inner silver–silver iodine (Ag–AgI) coatings and internal core diameter of 300 μm. A detailed design and realization of the QCL fiber coupling and output collimator system allowed almost practically all (99.4 %) of the laser beam to be transmitted through the spectrophone module. The achieved sensitivity of the system is 50 parts per trillion in 1 s, corresponding to a record for QEPAS normalized noise-equivalent absorption of 2.7 × 10^?10 W cm^?1 Hz^?1/2.     

Cavity-enhanced optical frequency comb spectroscopy in the mid-infrared application to trace detection of hydrogen peroxide

We demonstrate the first cavity-enhanced optical frequency comb spectroscopy in the mid-infrared wavelength region and report the sensitive real-time trace detection of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a large amount of water. The experimental apparatus is based on a mid-infrared optical parametric oscillator synchronously pumped by a high-power Yb:fiber laser, a high-finesse broadband cavity, and a fast-scanning Fourier transform spectrometer with autobalancing detection. The comb spectrum with a bandwidth of 200 nm centered around 3.76 μm is simultaneously coupled to the cavity and both degrees of freedom of the comb, i.e. the repetition rate and carrier envelope offset frequency, are locked to the cavity to ensure stable transmission. The autobalancing detection scheme reduces the intensity noise by a factor of 300, and a sensitivity of 5.4×10^?9 cm^?1?Hz^?1/2 with a resolution of 800 MHz is achieved (corresponding to 6.9×10^?11 cm^?1?Hz^?1/2 per spectral element for 6000 resolved elements). This yields a noise equivalent detection limit for hydrogen peroxide of 8 parts-per-billion (ppb); in the presence of 2.8 % of water the detection limit is 130 ppb. Spectra of acetylene, methane, and nitrous oxide at atmospheric pressure are also presented, and a line-shape model is developed to simulate the experimental data.     

Broadly tunable quantum cascade laser in cantilever-enhanced photoacoustic infrared spectroscopy of solids

An external cavity quantum cascade laser (EC-QCL) is applied in the photoacoustic detection of solid samples. The EC-QCL used has a broad tuning range of 676 cm^?1 (970–1,646 cm^?1) in the mid-infrared region, which enables accurate broadband spectroscopy of large molecules. The high spectral power density of the EC-QCL is combined with an extremely sensitive optical cantilever microphone of the photoacoustic detector to achieve an ultimate sensitivity. The carbon black, polyethylene, and hair fiber samples were measured with the EC-QCL photoacoustic detection using electrical amplitude modulation to demonstrate the possibilities of the setup. The same measurements were repeated with a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer combined with a photoacoustic detector for a comparison. The EC-QCL photoacoustic setup yielded roughly a decade better signal-to-noise ratios than the FTIR setup with the same measurement time.     

Optical-feedback cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy with a quantum-cascade laser yields the lowest formaldehyde detection limit

We report on the first application of Optical Feedback-Cavity Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy to formaldehyde trace gas analysis at mid-infrared wavelengths. A continuous-wave room-temperature, distributed-feedback quantum cascade laser emitting around 1,769 cm^?1 has been successfully coupled to an optical cavity with finesse 10,000 in an OF-CEAS spectrometer operating on the ν₂ fundamental absorption band of formaldehyde. This compact setup (easily transportable) is able to monitor H₂CO at ambient concentrations within few seconds, presently limited by the sample exchange rate. The minimum detectable absorption is 1.6 × 10^?9 cm^?1 for a single laser scan (100 ms, 100 data points), with a detectable H₂CO mixing ratio of 60 pptv at 10 Hz. The corresponding detection limit at 1 Hz is 5 × 10^?10 cm^?1, with a normalized figure of merit of 5 × 10^?11cm $^{-1}/\sqrt{\rm Hz}$ (100 data points recorded in each spectrum taken at 10 Hz rate). A preliminary Allan variance analysis shows white noise averaging down to a minimum detection limit of 5 pptv at an optimal integration time of 10 s, which is significantly better than previous results based on multi-pass or cavity-enhanced tunable QCL absorption spectroscopy.     

Comparative Fourier Transform Infrared Investigation of Oltu-Stone (Natural Carbon Black) and Jet

Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) investigation of Oltu-stone (natural carbon black) and jet revealed several differences between these carbonaceous materials. The band peaking at about 1000 cm^?1 is the first important difference: while the band in the jet spectra appears as one sharp peak at about 1001 cm^?1, the similar band in the Oltu-stone spectra is shifted to about 1026 cm^?1 with a broad shoulder toward high frequency. Even though the assignment of the shifted band is at present controversial, it may be attributed to carbon-oxygen stretching mode. Second, the doublet bands at about 2912 and 2843 cm^?1 are much more intense in the jet spectra then in the Oltu-stone spectra. They are confidently attributed to aliphatic C-H stretching mode. Finally, the broad water band on setting at about 3750 cm^?1 is maturated in Oltu-stone, and it is much more evident than in that of jet.

Therefore, FT-IR appears as a favorable identification method for these kinds of carbonaceous materials.     

Raman Spectroscopy Investigation of Nano Hydroxyapatite Doped with Yttrium and Fluoride Ions

In this study, nano hydroxyapatite doped with yttrium (2.5, 5, and 7.5 mol%) and fluoride (2.5 mol%) ions were synthesized by precipitation method and sintered at 900°C, 1100°C, and 1300°C. Raman spectroscopy was applied to track the structural modifications in pure and doped hydroxyapatites. The results showed that the main characteristic band of pure hydroxyapatite at 963 cm^?1 was not affected significantly by ion doping but exhibited higher intensity with increasing sintering temperature. Due to fluoride substitution, the 1048 and 1034 cm^?1 bands of pure hydroxyapatites appeared with a wavenumber shift in the spectra of ion-doped hydroxyapatites. The 333 cm^?1 band of pure hydroxyapatite disappeared and an additional calcium–fluor bond at 322 cm^?1 was observable in ion-doped hydroxyapatites. Two fluorescence bands at 770 and 697 cm^?1, which were also observed in the spectra of pure hydroxyapatites, shifted to higher wavenumbers in the spectra of ion-doped hydroxyapatites. This was considered to result from the perturbation in the hexagonal structure of hydroxyapatite due to yttrium and fluoride codoping.     

Changes in Dentin Collagen After Sample Grinding and Heating

ABSTRACT

Changes to the structure of the organic matrix of the dentin tissue were determined after sample grinding and heating. Powder dentin measuring 25–38 µm and slices with a thickness of about 50 µm were employed. Spectra acquisition was conducted with a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer. The thermal treatment was performed between 100°C and 300°C, with steps of 25°C. After grinding, two bands (1283.5 ± 0.5 cm^?1 and 1240.7 ± 0.5 cm^?1) shifted to higher wavenumbers, while three bands (1339.5 ± 0.5 cm^?1, 1283.5 ± 0.5 cm^?1, and 1202.7 ± 0.5 cm^?1) shifted to lower wavenumbers after thermal treatment in the range 100–300°C; the band at 1283.5 ± 0.5 cm^?1 shifted only 2 cm^?1. Thermal treatment produced a wavenumber shift in the opposite direction compared with the shift produced after grinding. The observed changes in the vibration modes of the structure indicate that sample preparation or sterilization involving grinding and heating must be carefully evaluated in order to preserve the natural characteristic of the collagen structure.     

Time resolved simultaneous detection of 14NO and 15NO via mid-infrared cavity leak-out spectroscopy

We present a ring-down absorption spectrometer based on a continuous-wave CO laser in the mid-infrared spectral region near λ?=?5 μm. Using a linear ring-down cavity (length: 0.5 m) with high reflective mirrors (R?=?99.988 %), we observed a noise-equivalent absorption coefficient of 3?×?10^?10 cm^?1Hz^?1/2. This corresponds to a noise-equivalent concentration of 800 parts per trillion (ppt) for ¹⁴NO and 40 ppt for ¹⁵NO in 1 s averaging time. We achieve a time resolution of 1 s which allows time resolved simultaneous detection of the two N isotopes. The δ¹⁵N value was obtained with a precision of ±1.2‰ in a sample with a NO fraction of 11 ppm. The simultaneous detection enables the use of ¹⁵NO as a tracer molecule for endogenous biomedical processes.     

Discrimination of Poly(butylenes adipate-co-terephthalate) and Poly(ethylene terephthalate) with Fourier Transform Infrared Microscope and Raman Spectroscope

ABSTRACT

The analysis of plastics and fibers is of importance to forensic scientists, especially in the investigation of trace evidence. In this study, we use Fourier transform infrared microscope and confocal Raman spectroscope to investigate two kinds of polymers: poly(butylenes adipate-co-terephthalate) and poly(ethylene terephthalate), which are very similar in structure and cannot be discriminated easily with other instruments. Infrared and Raman spectra were tentatively interpreted. The indicative peaks (937 cm^?1, 1121 cm^?1 in Infrared spectra; 996 cm^?1, 1396 cm^?1 in Raman spectra) to distinguish the two polymers were also summarized. The data in this study can help forensic scientists identify these two polymers accurately and avoid wrong certificate of authenticity. The data also offer the producer and researchers an effective and fast method to characterize and identify the poly(butylenes adipate-co-terephthalate).     

An Infrared Method,with Reduced Solvent Consumption,for the Determination of Chlorsulfuron in Pesticide Formulations

A simple method has been developed for the determination of Chlorsulfuron in pesticide formulations by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). Samples were diluted with CHCl_3^? , and the FTIR spectra of the samples and standards were obtained at a nominal resolution of 4 cm^? 1 from 4000 to 900 cm^? 1 with the accumulation of 25 scans. Chlorsulfuron determination was based on the measurement of peak area values from 1373 to 1363 cm^? 1 which were corrected by use of a two points baseline defined from 1401 to 1302 cm^? 1. The limit of detection achieved, which was of the order of 6 µg g^? 1, was appropriate for the determination of Chlorsulfuron in commercially available formulations. FTIR results were statistically comparable with those found by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The procedure reduces organic solvent consumption per sample to less than 3 ml CHCl₃, reduces waste generation and increases the sample measurement frequency up to 60 h^? 1.     

Cavity-enhanced optical feedback-assisted photo-acoustic spectroscopy with a 10.4 μm external cavity quantum cascade laser

An ultra-sensitive photo-acoustic spectrometer using a 10.4 μm broadly tunable mid-IR external cavity quantum cascade laser (EC-QCL) coupled with optical feedback to an optical power buildup cavity with high reflectivity mirrors was developed and tested. A laser optical power buildup factor of 181 was achieved, which corresponds to an intra-cavity power of 9.6 W at a wavelength of 10.4 μm. With a photo-acoustic resonance cell placed inside the cavity this resulted in the noise-equivalent absorption coefficient of 1.9 × 10^?10 cm^?1 Hz^?1/2, and a normalized noise-equivalent absorption of 1.1 × 10^?11 cm^?1 W Hz^?1/2. A novel photo-acoustic signal normalization technique makes the photo-acoustic spectrometer’s response immune to changes and drifts in the EC-QCL excitation power, EC-QCL to cavity coupling efficiency and cavity mirrors aging and contamination. An automatic lock of the EC-QCL to the cavity and optical feedback phase optimization permitted long wavelength scans within the entire EC-QCL spectral tuning range.     

Quantum-noise-limited cavity ring-down spectroscopy

We demonstrate a heterodyne-detected cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) method that allows for a noise-equivalent absorption coefficient of 6 × 10^?14 cm^?1 Hz^?1/2, the lowest which has been reported in a CRDS measurement. It is shown that heterodyne-detected CRDS also reaches the quantum noise limit at reasonable optical powers. In addition to offering ultra-high sensitivity, this technique provides high frequency agility over a range of 2 THz in the near-infrared, which allows entire absorption bands to be recorded in minutes. As a demonstration experiment, high resolution spectra of a near-infrared carbon dioxide band have been recorded.     

17O12C17O and 18O12C17O spectroscopy in the 1.6 μm region

Near infrared spectra of a carbon dioxide sample enriched with oxygen-17 have been recorded using a high-resolution continuous scan Fourier transform interferometer fitted with a femto OPO/Idler laser source. Cavity enhanced absorption has been achieved in a static gas cell allowing an optimal rms noise equivalent absorption of 1.2?×?10^?10?cm^?1?Hz^?1/2 per spectral element to be reached, corresponding to α_min?=?10^?8?cm^?1. Spectra were calibrated against acetylene reference line positions. Three bands in the 3ν₁?+?ν₃ tetrad in both ¹²C¹⁷O₂ and ¹²C¹⁷O¹⁸O have been identified and rotationally analyzed, as well as some related hot bands, eight of which are newly reported and three with their analysis updated compared with a preliminary report (X. de Ghellinck d’Elseghem Vaernewijck et al., Chem. Phys. Lett. 514, 29 (2011)).     

Continuous wave optical parametric oscillator for quartz-enhanced photoacoustic trace gas sensing

A continuous wave optical parametric oscillator, generating up to 300 mW idler output in the 3–4 μm wavelength region, and pumped by a fiber-amplified DBR diode laser is used for trace gas detection by means of quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (QEPAS). Mode-hop-free tuning of the OPO output over 5.2 cm^-1 and continuous spectral coverage exceeding 16.5 cm^-1 were achieved via electronic pump source tuning alone. Online monitoring of the idler wavelength, with feedback to the DBR diode laser, provided an automated closed-loop control allowing arbitrary idler wavelength selection within the pump tuning range and locking of the idler wavelength with a stability of 1.7×10^-3 cm^-1 over at least 30 min. Using this approach, we locked the idler wavelength at an ethane absorption peak and obtained QEPAS data to verify the linear response of the QEPAS signal at different ethane concentrations (100 ppbv-20 ppmv) and different power levels. The detection limit for ethane was determined to be 13 ppbv (20 s averaging), corresponding to a normalized noise equivalent absorption coefficient of 4.4×10^-7 cm^-1  W/Hz^1/2. PACS 42.55.Wd; 42.65.Yj; 42.62.Fi     

EPR and Optical Absorption Study of Cr3+-Doped Dipotassium Tetrachloropalladate

X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study of Cr³⁺-doped dipotassium tetrachloropalladate single crystal is done at liquid nitrogen temperature. EPR spectrum shows two sites. The spin-Hamiltonian parameters have been evaluated by employing hyperfine resonance lines observed in EPR spectra for different orientations of crystal in externally applied magnetic field. The values of spin-Hamiltonian and zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters of Cr³⁺ ion-doped DTP for site I are: g _x  = 2.096 ± 0.002, g _y  = 2.167 ± 0.002, g _z  = 2.220 ± 0.002, D = (89 ± 2) × 10^?4 cm^?1, E = (16 ± 2) × 10^?4 cm^?1. EPR study indicates that Cr³⁺ ion enters the host lattice substitutionally replacing K⁺ ion and local site symmetry reduces to orthorhombic. Optical absorption spectra are recorded at room temperature. From the optical absorption study, the Racah parameters (B = 521 cm^?1, C = 2,861 cm^?1), cubic crystal field splitting parameter (Dq = 1,851 cm^?1) and nephelauxetic parameters (h = 2.06, k = 0.21) are determined. These parameters together with EPR data are used to discuss the nature of bonding in the crystal.     

Electrical and structural studies of a LiBOB-based gel polymer electrolyte

A series of gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) containing lithium bis(oxalato)borate (LiBOB), propylene carbonate (PC), and ethylene carbonate (EC) have been investigated. Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) was used as the polymer. First, a series of liquid electrolytes was prepared by varying the Li:O ratio and obtained the best composition giving the highest conductivity of 7.1?×?10^?3 S cm^?1 at room temperature. Then, the PEO-based GPEs were prepared by adding different amounts of LiBOB and PEO into a mixture of equal weights of EC and PC (40 % of each from the total weight). The gel electrolyte comprises of 12.5 % of LiBOB, 7.5 % of PEO, 40 % of EC, and 40 % of PC gave the highest ionic conductivity of 5.8?×?10^?3 S cm^?1 at room temperature. From the DC polarization measurements, ionic nature of the gel electrolyte was confirmed. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of electrolytes showed the Li⁺ ion coordination with EC and PC molecules. These interactions were exhibited in the peaks corresponding to ring breathing of EC at 893 cm^?1 and ring bending of EC and symmetric ring deformation of PC at 712 and 716 cm^?1 respectively. The presence of free Li⁺ ions and ion aggregates is evident in the peaks due to the symmetric stretching of O–B–O at 985 cm^?1.     

Investigation of L(+)-Ascorbic acid with Raman spectroscopy in visible and UV light

Abstract: Raman spectroscopy investigations of l(+)-ascorbic acid and its mono- and di-deprotonated anions (AH^? and A^2?) are reviewed and new measurements reported with several wavelengths, 229, 244, 266, 488, and 532 nm. Results are interpreted, assisted by new DFT/B3LYP quantum chemical calculations with 6-311++G(d,p) basis sets for several conformations of ascorbic acid and the anions. Raman spectra were measured during titration with NaOH base in an oxygen-poor environment to avoid fluorescence when solutions were alkaline. The ultraviolet (UV) absorption band for ascorbic acid in aqueous solution at ～247 nm was found to cause strong resonance enhancement for the ring C?C stretching mode (called B) at ～1692 cm^?1. The ascorbate mono-anion absorbs at ～264.8 nm giving Raman resonance enhancement for the same ring C–C bond stretching, downshifted to ～1591 cm^?1. Finally, for the ascorbate di-anion, absorption was found at ～298.4 nm with molar absorptivity of ～7,000 L mol^?1 cm^?1 and below ～220 nm. With UV light (244 and 266 nm), strongly basic solutions gave pronounced Raman resonance enhancement at ～1556 cm^?1. Relatively weak preresonance enhancement was seen for A^2? when excitation was done with 229 nm UV light, allowing water bands to become observable as for normal visible light Raman spectra.