Highly-efficient fully-fiberized mid-infrared differential frequency generation source and its application to laser spectroscopy

Widely-tunable, fully-monolithic, mid-infrared (mid-IR) deference frequency generation source (DFG) is presented. By using a custom designed fiber-pigtailed periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystal module the idler beam was generated with an efficiency of 21%/W, yielding 2.6 mW of optical output power. The proposed all-fiber configuration radically simplified the optical frequency conversion setup, making it robust and easily configurable. The usefulness of the constructed source was verified by performing simultaneous wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) laser trace gas detection of methane, near 2999 cm^?1, and ethane, near 2997 cm^?1, via two independently generated, tunable idler beams.     

Simultaneous detection of trace gases using multiplexed tunable diode lasers and a photoacoustic cell containing a cantilever microphone

We report what we believe to be a novel demonstration of simultaneous detection of multiple trace gases by near-IR tunable diode laser photoacoustic spectroscopy using a cell containing a cantilever microphone. Simultaneous detection of carbon monoxide (CO), ethyne (C₂H₂), methane (CH₄) and combined carbon monoxide/carbon dioxide (CO+CO₂) in nitrogen-based gas mixtures was achieved by modulation frequency division multiplexing the outputs of four near-IR tunable diode lasers. Normalized noise-equivalent absorption coefficients of 3.4×10^?9, 3.6×10^?9 and 1.4×10^?9 cm^?1?W?Hz^?1/2 were obtained for the simultaneous detection of CO, C₂H₂ and CH₄ at atmospheric pressure. These corresponded to noise-equivalent detection limits of 249.6 ppmv (CO), 1.5 ppmv (C₂H₂) and 293.7 ppmv (CH₄) respectively over a measurement period of 2.6 s at the relevant laser power. The performance of the system was not influenced by the number of lasers deployed, the main source of noise arising from ambient acoustic effects. The results confirm that small-volume photoacoustic cells can be used with low optical power tunable diode lasers for rapid simultaneous detection of trace gases with high sensitivity and specificity.     

Absorption line profile recovery based on residual amplitude modulation and first harmonic integration methods in photoacoustic gas sensing

Two methods for recovery of gas absorption line profiles are presented in this paper using photoacoustic spectroscopy and tunable diode laser spectroscopy (TDLS) with wavelength modulation (WM). A theoretical analysis based on Fourier coefficients is given in order to describe the various components that arise under simultaneous intensity and frequency modulation. The first method makes use of the residual amplitude modulation (RAM) signal which is always present in current modulation of distributed feedback (DFB) tunable diode lasers. The second method involves integration of a near-pure first harmonic derivative signal, separated from other distorting components by appropriate choice of the lock-in detection phase in the case of low modulation index. Good agreement is obtained with both methods between the experimental results and the theoretical simulation for the P17 absorption line of acetylene at 1535.39 nm but the second method gives a much improved accuracy and signal-to-noise ratio in lineshape recovery with photoacoustic spectroscopy.     

非标定波长调制吸收光谱气体测量研究

为消除可调谐激光调制吸收光谱气体测量技术对于标定过程的依赖,研究了二次谐波信号的非标定波长调制气体测量方法.通过对测量的二次谐波线型进行分析,给出相同工况下二次谐波模拟信号,并利用测量与模拟二次谐波信号进行线性拟合直接计算气体浓度.实验室内采用非标定波长调制气体测量方法,利用 6336.24 cm^-1处特征吸收谱线对10 cm长气体吸收池内的CO₂进行了测量.结果表明,非标定波长调制气体测量方法可适应各种不同条件,适合于现场气体在线测量.当调制系数在1.8—3. 关键词： 波长调制 二次谐波 吸收光谱 半导体激光器     

基于可调谐半导体激光吸收光谱的瓦斯监测方法研究

瓦斯爆炸是煤矿安全的主要威胁,对瓦斯气体浓度进行准确、快速、实时监测和预警是治理瓦斯灾害的有效手段。实验研究了近红外半导体激光吸收光谱技术在煤矿瓦斯气体安全检测中的应用。系统光源采用的是1.65μm波长的近红外可调谐DFB激光器,使用了波长调制和二次谐波检测技术,通过光纤进行信号传输。系统检测限低于0.09%,气体浓度的检测速度最高可达到0.02s。研究表明:该技术具有实时、连续、快速、非接触检测的特点;现场无带电部件,具有多点分布式遥测的能力,能够满足煤矿瓦斯安全检测的要求。     

基于减反膜外腔反馈半导体激光器拉曼光的产生

通过直接对减反膜外腔反馈半导体激光器进行电流调制的方法,得到了两束位相锁定且频率差在6.0-9.3GHz范围内连续可调的激光,其中6.835和9.192GHz分别对应Rb⁸⁷和Cs¹³³原子基态超精细能级之间的频率差,激光功率分别可以达到6.87mW和5.09mW. 根据减反膜外腔反馈半导体激光器的特点,通过调整外腔腔长、激光器工作温度、电流以及所加射频调制信号的功率和频率,在调制频率小于等于4.0GHz时可以将载波完全压制. 调制频率大于4.0GHz时,虽不能将载波完全压制,但由于外腔与调制频率共振时对调制的增强也得到了调制深度很高的激光,并对其中的物理机理作了分析. 通过后续滤波等方法处理以后,该拉曼光源可以广泛应用到原子的量子操控中. 关键词： 受激拉曼光 高频调制 调制增强     

信号处理改善波长调制光谱灵敏度的实验研究

基于可调谐半导体激光吸收光谱，提出了一种新的信号处理方法用于提高吸收光谱测量的灵敏度. 研究结果表明：采用信号处理（DSP）可以使波长调制光谱的信噪比提高一个数量级,且测量CO₂分子的时候发现一条新谱线. 这些信号处理包括多次平均、数字低通滤波以及最小二乘法拟合. 由于该方法不需要增加设备的复杂性，所以比其他噪声抑制技术更容易在实验中实施、有更实际的应用价值. 关键词： 波长调制 信号处理 半导体激光器 吸收光谱     

调谐半导体激光光谱分时扫描多路方法

针对调谐半导体激光光谱多组分气体检测需要,提出了一种基于多激光分时扫描的激光时分多路新方法.该方法结合了波长调制光谱技术,通过对多台检测激光器输出波长的分时扫描,在一个系统周期内实现多组分气体的准同时检测.将该方法应用于天然气泄漏红外激光多组分检测系统,通过对天然气主要成份CH4和H2S的同时测量,及时发现可能的天然气气体泄漏,在满足灵敏检测的前提下,实现了系统结构的简化.     

相敏式激光啁啾色散光谱技术在高吸收度情况下的应用

研究了相敏式激光啁啾色散光谱法在高吸收度情况下的应用.用窄频半导体激光器作为光源,利用一工作于载波抑制模式的铌酸锂电光强度调制器调制单频激光,在单频激光两侧产生两个边频分量,并通过两边频分量产生外差干涉信号.利用外差干涉的相位波动来测量甲烷气体位于1653.7 nm附近的折射率波动,通过气体折射率与吸收系数之间的Kramers-Kronig关系计算甲烷气体浓度.传统的波长调制光谱法受限于郎伯-比尔定律,在应用于高吸收度的情况时,存在灵敏度下降的问题,甚至出现随气体浓度上升输出信号反而下降的现象.实验结果显示,相同实验条件下,波长调制光谱法的线性测量范围为38.1—1500 ppm·m,线性测量的动态范围仅为16 d B;而相敏式激光啁啾色散光谱法在很大的吸收度范围内均具有线性输出,检出限低至47.3 ppm·m,线性测量范围上限为174825 ppm·m,具有超过35 d B的动态范围.     

利用光频梳提高台阶高度测量准确度的方法

提出一种利用光频梳和可调谐半导体激光器提高台阶高度测量准确度的方法. 通过将可调谐激光器锁定至光频梳,可对激光器的输出波长进行精确锁定与测量.基于可调合成波长链原理,利用锁定后的半导体激光器构建了一套台阶高度测量方案,该方案可消除合成波长误差对台阶高度测量不确定度的影响. 采用一台可调谐半导体激光器和光频梳进行了5000 s的连续锁定实验, 结果表明,锁定后的可调谐半导体激光器的频率稳定度达 1.8×10^-12.该方法的理论测量不确定度约为7.9 nm, 且测量结果可溯源至时间频率基准.     

准连续激光调制吸收谱的多谐波分析

使用准连续二极管激光器进行多重调制光谱检测时,发现吸收光谱信号中存在着丰富的倍频、和频以及差频成分;从激光与气体吸收谱线的非线性作用角度研究了倍频、和频及差频等信号存在的必然性;从实验角度对信号特征进行研究,发现其中有些和频、差频成分的幅度比传统调谐二极管激光吸收光谱技术中的二次谐波信号的幅度更大,有望在准连续调制谱技术中提高检测的灵敏度。     

High-sensitivity transient spectroscopy using tunable diode lasers

Experimental techniques have been developed to monitor transient infrared absorptions using lead-salt tunable diode lasers. The techniques are easily implemented, yield sensitivities which are limited by detector noise at 10^–5 level of absorbance, and have a response time on the order of one microsecond. The transient absorption detection techniques are high frequency versions of the sweep integration technique pioneered by Jennings [Appl. Opt.19, 2695 (1980)]. TDL modulation rates of 100 kHz and 500 kHz allow for absorption sampling rates of 200 kHz and 1 MHz, respectively. In order to reproducibly achieve near-detector-noise-limited sensitivities for 100 kHz TDL modulation rates, an automated analog subtraction circuit has been developed which removes the effects of minor TDL power variations. At the 500 kHz modulation rate, digital filtering techniques are used to remove the effects of this power variation.     

Near-Infrared Methane Detection Device Using Wavelength-Modulated Distributed Feedback Diode Laser around 1.654 µm

By using a wavelength-modulated distributed feedback laser centered at 1.654 µm, a stand-alone near-infrared methane detection device was experimentally proposed based on the tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy technique. An intelligent temperature controller, a scan and modulation module, and a cost-effective lock-in amplifier were developed to drive the distributed feedback laser and extract the second harmonic signal. Experimental results show that the relative detection error is less than 7% within the detection range of 0–10⁶ ppm, and the limit of detection is about 11 ppm with an absorption length of 0.2 m. Long-term monitoring on two gas samples (10³ ppm and 2 × 10⁵ ppm) suggests good stability with the maximum detection errors smaller than 7% and 2.5%, respectively. Due to careful design and integration, the developed near-infrared sensor reveals competitive performances compared with our previously reported sensing devices at the mid-infrared region.     

SG-DBR半导体激光器的光谱技术研究

可调谐半导体激光吸收光谱作为一种高灵敏度、高选择性、非侵入的痕量气体实时检测技术,已在大气监测、工业控制等方面得到广泛应用。采用一种新型宽带可调谐的SG-DBR半导体激光器(可调谐范围1 520~1 570 nm)作光源,并通过自编程序对该激光器设定了18个通道,输出波长分别对应CO,CO₂以及H₂O的吸收谱线中心位置,设计和构建了一个基于近红外可调谐半导体激光吸收光谱的多组分气体光谱测量系统,描述了相关的光学系统设置,结合波长调制(wm)的二次谐波技术测量其中14个通道(分别对应CO和CO₂的吸收谱线)的吸收光谱,系统获得的CO和CO₂峰值吸收探测极限能够达到10-5。实验结果验证了SG-DBR激光器在波长调制吸收光谱多组分气体检测领域的可行性。在实际应用过程中使用单个SG-DBR激光器可以实现多组分气体的同时测量,有效降低设备成本和系统复杂性。     

Resonant photoacoustic detection of trace gas with DFB diode laser

A resonant photoacoustic detection system based on a low-power distributed feedback diode laser is developed. This sensor has been applied to the detection of acetylene (C₂H₂) using a specifically designed photoacoustic cell operating on its second longitudinal mode. The minimum detectable limit of about 10 parts-per-million volume (SNR=1) is achieved with an average laser power of 3.5 mW at atmospheric pressure, and an integration time constant of 3 ms; thus, the minimum detectable absorption coefficient normalised by power and bandwidth is 4.0×10⁻⁸ W cm⁻¹/√Hz. The optimum operating pressure buffered with N₂ is also investigated. The realisation of our system is described and experimental results are compared with different modulation techniques and other results reported in the literature. A number of issues arising from the conventional use of mechanical chopping of the beam can be effectively suppressed in wavelength modulation PA spectroscopy (WM-PAS) and second harmonic detection.     

A simple scanning semiconductor diode laser source and its application in wavelength modulation spectroscopy around 825 nm

A very simple and inexpensive tunable semiconductor diode laser controller is designed for stable operation of the diode laser. The diode laser controller is stable within +/−8 μA and +/−10 mK, respectively. The noise spectrum of the current controller is studied by FFT analysis. We have used our home-made diode laser system in a tunable diode laser absorption spectrometer (TDLAS) to probe weak overtone transitions of water vapour molecule. The diode laser wavelength is coarsely tuned by changing the operating temperature to probe (2, 1, 1)←(0, 0, 0) band overtone transitions of water vapour within 818–835 nm. To demonstrate line shape study, seven transitions are scanned by ramping the drive current of the diode laser (at constant operating temperature) under different perturber (laboratory air) pressures within the sample cell. A balanced detector and a lock-in amplifier are used for phase sensitive detection purpose. Small current modulation amplitude, balanced detection and proper adjustment of the lock-in amplifier help to obtain a S/N ratio ranging from 100 to 7 using a small sample path length of 1.5 m. Experimentally obtained derivative spectrum is numerically integrated to reveal the original line shape and fitted with a nonlinear least squares fitting program to extract air broadening coefficients and line strength parameters. The spectroscopic line parameters are compared with the results from HITRAN database.     

Diode Laser‐Excited Optogalvanic and Absorption Measurements of Uranium in a Hollow Cathode Discharge

Optogalvanic spectra for fifty two transition lines of uranium in the wavelength ranges of 662–683, 774–792, and 834–862 nm were measured by using external‐cavity diode lasers. Among these transitions, 860.795 nm and 682.691 nm were chosen for a detailed investigation of the detection limit for uranium by wavelength modulation spectroscopy due to its stronger signal magnitudes. A detection limit of about 2 × 10^? 5 absorbance achieved at 860.795 nm is more sensitive than that obtained at 682.691 nm, but the absorption spectrum at 682.691 nm is preferable to determine the isotope ratio due to the narrower hyperfine structure as well as the larger isotope shift. A preliminary result for an isotope ratio determination in a depleted sample is presented.     

基于可调谐二极管激光吸收光谱遥测CH4浓度

文章对可调谐二极管激光的直接吸收和波长调制光谱进行了理论分析,设计了一套用于研究甲烷吸收特性的测量系统.近红外二极管激光工作在室温下,选用波长为1.65 μm,利用甲烷的2v3带R(3)线实现对甲烷气体的吸收测量,对测量的信噪比和系统的基本噪声源进行了分析,为实现甲烷浓度的在线遥测打下基础.     

Broadband amplitude-modulated laser source with high output power for FM/cw lidar transmitter

We are building a long-range FM/cw nonscanning imaging lidar breadboard. This lidar system achieves ranging based on a frequency modulation/continuous wave (FM/cw) technique, implemented by an amplitude modulated mid-IR diode laser transmitter with a linear frequency modulation (LFM) of the subcarrier. Firstly, various schemes of light beam modulation are analyzed. Secondly, we put forward a laser modulation scheme whose core was formed by a 1.55 μm electro-absorption modulated laser diode (EML) and an erbium-doped optical fiber amplifier (EDFA), then a corresponding experimental system architecture and components for light beam modulation and detection are established. Finally, a corresponding experiment of laser beam modulation is completed for the first time. In our experiment, the EML amplitude is modulated by a 200 MHz to 800 MHz LFM signal, whose amplitude value is 2.05 V. The average output power of the modulated laser obtained in the experiment is 10 W, peak power is 16.4 W, and the average modulation depth is 78%. The results of tests predict that this laser modulation scheme is likely to improve the imaging range of the FM/cw lidar.