Inter-comparison of 2 microm Heterodyne Differential Absorption Lidar, Laser Diode Spectrometer, LICOR NDIR analyzer and flasks measurements of near-ground atmospheric CO2 mixing ratio

Remote sensing and in situ instruments are presented and compared in the same location for accurate CO(2) mixing ratio measurements in the atmosphere: (1) a 2.064 microm Heterodyne DIfferential Absorption Lidar (HDIAL), (2) a field deployable infrared Laser Diode Spectrometer (LDS) using new commercial diode laser technology at 2.68 microm, (3) LICOR NDIR analyzer and (4) flasks. LDS, LICOR and flasks measurements were made in the same location, LICOR and flasks being taken as reference. Horizontal HDIAL measurements of CO(2) absorption using aerosol backscatter signal are reported. Using new spectroscopic data in the 2 microm band and meteorological sensor measurements, a mean CO(2) mixing ratio is inferred by the HDIAL in a 1 km long path above the 15m height location of the CO(2) in situ sensors. We compare HDIAL and LDS measurements with the LICOR data for 30 min of time averaging. The mean standard deviation of the HDIAL and the LDS CO(2) mixing ratio results are 3.3 ppm and 0.89 ppm, respectively. The bias of the HDIAL and the LDS measurements are -0.54 ppm and -0.99 ppm, respectively.     

Isotope selective analysis of CO(2) with tunable diode laser (TDL) spectroscopy in the NIR

The performance of a home-built tunable diode laser (TDL) spectrometer, aimed at multi-line detection of carbon dioxide, has been evaluated and optimized. In the regime of the (30(0)1)(III) <-- (000) band of (12)CO(2) around 1.6 microm, the dominating isotope species (12)CO(2), (13)CO(2), and (12)C(18)O(16)O were detected simultaneously without interference by water vapor. Detection limits in the range of few ppmv were obtained for each species utilizing wavelength modulation (WM) spectroscopy with balanced detection in a long-path absorption cell set-up. High sensitivity in conjunction with high precision -- typically +/-1 (per thousand) and +/-6 (per thousand) for 3% and 0.7% of CO(2), respectively -- renders this experimental approach a promising analytical concept for isotope-ratio determination of carbon dioxide in soil and breath gas. For a moderate (12)CO(2) line, the pressure dependence of the line profile was characterized in detail, to account for pressure effects on sensitive measurements.     

H2O broadening of a CO2 line and its nearest neighbors near 6360 cm(-1)

Remote sensing of CO(2) requires high-fidelity reference data of spectral line parameters to be successful. The 6360 cm(-1) region is commonly used by satellites, field campaigns, and point-source gas sensors because it contains well-characterized and relatively isolated transitions of appropriate line strengths for atmospheric applications. However, the presence of gases other than CO(2), N(2), and O(2) can be a source of uncertainty for atmospheric measurements. Near 6360 cm(-1), there are numerous H(2)O and HDO transitions. Water makes up approximately 1-4% of Earth's lower atmosphere and can interfere with remote sensing measurements by (1) appearing as a direct spectral interference or (2) acting as a foreign broadener for CO(2) lines. The primary goal of this work was to quantify H(2)O broadening of CO(2) through precision spectroscopy measurements on the R16e transition at 6359.967 cm(-1) and its two nearest neighbors. A secondary goal was to assess the accuracy of H(2)O reference line parameters in the HITRAN 2008 database for spectrally removing typical levels of moisture from air samples containing approximately 400 ppm of CO(2).     

A novel single frequency stabilized Fabry-Perot laser diode at 1590 nm for gas sensing

A novel single frequency stabilized Fabry-Perot (SFP) laser diode with an emission wavelength of lambda = 1590 nm for H2S gas sensing is reported. Sculpting of the multi-mode spectral distribution of a FP laser to achieve single frequency emission is carried out using post growth photolitographic processing of the device. The resulting longitudinal-mode controlled FP laser has a stabilized single frequency emission with a side mode suppression ratio (SMSR) of 40 dB. The application of this device to spectroscopic based H2S sensing is demonstrated by targeting absorption lines in the wavelength range 1588 < or = lambda < or = 1591 nm. Using wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS), a low detection limit of 120 ppm x m x Hz(-1/2) was estimated while targeting the absorption line at 1590.08 nm. These initial results demonstrate the potential of the stabilized FP laser diode at this wavelength as a tunable, single frequency source for spectroscopic based gas sensing.     

An open path H2O/CO2 gas analyzer for eddy correlation systems: theory and design

A fast response, open path tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy H2O/CO2 gas analyzer suitable for eddy correlation concentration measurements in near surface turbulent environments is presented. The turbulent temperature characteristics, analysis theory, analysis methods, design structure and specifications of this dual laser analyzer are described. A fiber connected optical head with folded optical path is used to extend the resolution to ppb levels for H2O at 1.3964 microm and CO2 at 2.014 microm. The Fourier (discrete cosine) transform absorbance ratio analysis methods are outlined along with the modifications for temperature and pressure measurements in turbulent flows. Synthesis of the reference absorbance function using measured temperature, pressure and the Hitran parameters is extended with incorporation of the Hitran parameters n, gamma temperature exponent and E', lower state energy. Additionally, the mole fraction equation developed for this Hitran model is presented and an absolute calibration technique is outlined along with methods of calibration retention. Simulation results on mole fraction estimations and errors are presented for synthetic temperature and laser noise processes and are used to verify the specifications.     

CO(2) Dynamics in a Metal-Organic Framework with Open Metal Sites

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with open metal sites are promising candidates for CO(2) capture from dry flue gas. We applied in situ(13)C NMR spectroscopy to investigate CO(2) adsorbed in Mg(2)(dobdc) (H(4)dobdc = 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid; Mg-MOF-74, CPO-27-Mg), a key MOF in which exposed Mg(2+) cation sites give rise to exceptional CO(2) capture properties. Analysis of the resulting spectra reveals details of the binding and CO(2) rotational motion within the material. The dynamics of the motional processes are evaluated via analysis of the NMR line shapes and relaxation times observed between 12 and 400 K. These results form stringent and quantifiable metrics for computer simulations that seek to screen and improve the design of new MOFs for CO(2) capture.     

Infrared spectroscopic investigation of two isomers of the weakly bound complex OCS-(CO2)2

Vibration-rotation spectra of the OCS-(CO(2))(2) van der Waals complex were studied by means of direct infrared absorption spectroscopy. Complexes were generated in a supersonic slit-jet apparatus, and the expansion gas was probed using a rapid-scan tunable diode laser. Infrared bands were observed for two different isomeric forms of the complex. A relatively strong band centered at 2058.799 cm(-1) was assigned to the most stable isomer, which has a barrel-shaped geometry and is already known from microwave spectroscopy. A weaker infrared band centered at 2050.702 cm(-1) was assigned to a new isomeric form, observed here for the first time, which was expected on the basis of ab initio calculations. Infrared bands for seven isotopomers were recorded in an attempt to quantify the structure of the new isomer. Because it has no symmetry elements, nine parameters are needed to fully define the geometry. It was possible to determine six of these which define the relative position of the OCS monomer with respect to the CO(2) dimer fragment in the complex while the remaining three were fixed at their ab initio values. Similarities and differences between the faces of the two isomers of OCS-(CO(2))(2) and the associated dimers are discussed.     

CO(2) concentration measurements on air samples by mass spectrometry

A new technique for measuring CO(2) concentration in air samples, based on mass spectrometry, is described as an alternative to the common gas chromatographic method. Using a dual inlet isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS), the ratio of the abundances of the m/z peaks 44 and 28 is determined. The precision of measurements (standard deviation <3 ppmv) is generally as good as the analysis with gas chromatography for small air samples (<1 ml STP of air). A major advantage of this new method is the possibility of parallel elemental and isotopic measurements of many air components. The technique is further improved by new wide mass range mass spectrometers allowing simultaneous intensity measurements of several m/z values between 28 and 44, resulting in an uncertainty of <0.5 ppm. The precision is somewhat limited by the production of N(2)O and NO(2) from N(2) and O(2) in the ion source, which accounts for about half of the signal strength at m/z 44. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Highly accurate determinations of CO(2) line strengths using intensity-stabilized diode laser absorption spectrometry

An intensity-stabilized laser absorption spectrometer, which incorporates a mirror-extended cavity diode laser, a temperature-stabilized gas cell, and a Michelson interferometer, was developed and applied to a highly accurate investigation of line intensity factors within the nu(1)+2nu(2) (0)+nu(3) combination band of carbon dioxide, around 2 microm wavelength, at a temperature of 296.0 K. This relatively complex apparatus enables one to observe the absorption line shape with high precision and accuracy in such a way that it is possible to retrieve the integrated absorbance with a relative uncertainty better than 0.1%. The absorption spectra were interpolated with the uncorrelated strong-collision model of Rautian and Sobel'man in order to take into account Dicke narrowing effects, thus obtaining an agreement at a level of a few parts per 10(-5). We report line strength values for the R(2)-R(18) transitions with an unprecedented level of accuracy, in the range between 0.1% and 0.15%. Finally, we discuss the possibility of providing a first experimental test of the theoretical model for molecular line strengths based on the Herman-Wallis expansion.     

Accelerator mass spectrometry 14C determination in CO2 produced from laser decomposition of aragonite

The determination of (14)C in aragonite (CaCO(3)) decomposed thermally to CO(2) using an yttrium-aluminum-garnet doped neodymium laser is reported. Laser decomposition accelerator mass spectrometry (LD-AMS) measurements reproduce AMS determinations of (14)C from the conventional reaction of aragonite with concentrated phosphoric acid. The lack of significant differences between these sets of measurements indicates that LD-AMS radiocarbon dating can overcome the significant fractionation that has been observed during stable isotope (C and O) laser decomposition analysis of different carbonate minerals. The laser regularly converted nearly 30% of material removed into CO(2) despite it being optimized for ablation, where laser energy breaks material apart rather than chemically altering it. These results illustrate promise for using laser decomposition on the front-end of AMS systems that directly measure CO(2) gas. The feasibility of such measurements depends on (1) the improvement of material removal and/or CO(2) generation efficiency of the laser decomposition system and (2) the ionization efficiency of AMS systems measuring continuously flowing CO(2).     

Infrared spectra of CO2-doped hydrogen clusters, (H2)N-CO2

Clusters of para-H(2) and/or ortho-H(2) containing a single carbon dioxide molecule are studied by high resolution infrared spectroscopy in the 2300 cm(-1) region of the CO(2) ν(3) fundamental band. The (H(2))(N)-CO(2) clusters are formed in a pulsed supersonic jet expansion from a cooled nozzle and probed using a rapid scan tunable diode laser. Simple symmetric rotor type spectra are observed with little or no resolved K-structure, and prominent Q-branch features for ortho-H(2) but not para-H(2). Observed rotational constants and vibrational shifts are reported for ortho-H(2) up to N = 7 and para-H(2) up to N = 15, with the N > 7 assignments only made possible with the help of theoretical simulations. The para-H(2) cluster with N = 12 shows clear evidence for superfluid effects, in good agreement with theory. The presence of larger clusters with N > 15 is evident in the spectra, but specific assignments are not possible. Mixed para- + ortho-H(2) cluster transitions are well predicted by linear interpolation between corresponding pure cluster line positions.     

Sampling modulation technique in radio-frequency helium glow discharge emission source by use of pulsed laser ablation

An emission excitation source comprising a high-frequency diode-pumped Q-switched Nd:YAG laser and a radio-frequency powered glow discharge lamp is proposed. In this system sample atoms ablated by the laser irradiation are introduced into the lamp chamber and subsequently excited by the helium glow discharge plasma. The pulsed operation of the laser can produce a cyclic variation in the emission intensities of the sample atoms whereas the plasma gas species emit the radiation continuously. The salient feature of the proposed technique is the selective detection of the laser modulation signal from the rest of the continuous background emissions, which can be achieved with the phase sensitive detection of the lock-in amplifier. The arrangement may be used to estimate the emission intensity of the laser ablated atom, free from the interference of other species present in the plasma. The experiments were conducted with a 13.56 MHz radio-frequency (rf) generator operated at 80 W power to produce plasma and the laser at a wavelength of 1064 nm (pulse duration:34 ns, repetition rate:7 kHz and average pulse energy of about 0.36 mJ) was employed for sample ablation. The measurements resulted in almost complete removal of nitrogen molecular bands (N₂⁺ 391.44 nm). Considerable reduction (about 75%) in the emission intensity of a carbon atomic line (C I 193.03 nm) was also observed.     

Infrared spectra of CO2-H2 complexes

Infrared spectra of weakly bound CO(2)-H(2) complexes have been studied in the region of the CO(2) v(3) asymmetric stretch, using a tunable diode laser probe and a pulsed supersonic jet expansion. For CO(2)-paraH(2), results were obtained for three isotopic species, (12)C(16)O(2), (13)C(16)O(2), and (12)C(18)O(2). These spectra were analyzed using an asymmetric rotor Hamiltonian, with results that resembled those obtained previously for OCS- and N(2)O-paraH(2), except that half the rotational levels were missing due to the symmetry of CO(2) and the spin statistics of the (16)O or (18)O nuclei. However, for CO(2)-orthoH(2), more complicated spectra were observed which could not be assigned, in contrast with OCS- and N(2)O-H(2) where the paraH(2) and orthoH(2) spectra were similar, though distinct. The CO(2)-paraH(2) complex has a T-shaped structure with and intermolecular distance of about 3.5 Angstroms, and the CO(2) v(3) vibration exhibits a small redshift (-0.20 cm(-1)) in the complex.     

Treanor pumping of CO initiated by CO laser excitation

An experiment is discussed in which CO can be excited up to energies of several electronvolts by the absorption of infrared radiation from a relatively low-power CO laser. Furthermore, experimental results are examined through kinetic modelling. In the experiment, the beam of an intracavity-chopped CO laser operating on all lines at 500 mW and containing a few milliwatts of the fundamental ν= 1→0 band component, is focused into an absorption cell containing a mixture of CO and Ar. The absorption of this infrared radiation is monitored by the optoacoustic effect. A second CO laser operating cw and capable of providing 8 W on all lines but not lasing on the ν= 1→0 band component, is then focused into the same volume in the absorption cell. With both lasers simultaneously focused into the absorption cell, strong fluorescence from the irradiated region is detected by a photomultiplier tube. Modulation of the signal intensity with time is observed, and indicates chemical destruction of the CO in the cell. An analysis and kinetic modelling calculation of this experiment shows that it is possible to excite CO up to high vibrational quantum numbers (ν40) at gas temperatures up to 800 K. by means of CO laser irradiation at the fundamental ν= 1→0 band component. One source responsible for the fluorescence signal observed in the experiment is identified as the 4th positive A ¹Π→X ¹Σ⁺ spontaneous emission. Although the present kinetic model does not incorporate the chemical processes that may lead to the production of additional fluorescing species such as C₂, good agreement is obtained with the observed fluorescence signal characteristics.     

Intra-puff CO and CO2 measurements of cigarettes with iron oxide cigarette paper using quantum cascade laser spectroscopy

The objective of this research was to apply Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and tunable infrared laser differential absorption spectroscopy (TILDAS) for measuring selected gaseous constituents in mainstream (MS) and sidestream (SS) smoke for experimental cigarettes designed to reduce MS CO using iron oxide cigarette papers. These two complimentary analytical techniques are well suited for providing per puff smoke deliveries and intra-puff evolution profiles in cigarette smoke respectively. The quad quantum cascade (QC) laser high resolution infrared spectroscopy system has the necessary temporal and spectral resolution and whole smoke analysis capabilities to provide detailed information for CO and CO(2) as they are being formed in both MS and SS smoke. The QC laser system has an optimal data rate of 20 Hz and a unique puffing system, with a square wave shaped puff, that allows whole smoke to enter an 18 m, 0.3 L multi-pass gas cell in real time (0.1s cell response time) requiring no syringe or Cambridge filter pad. Another similar multi-pass gas cell with a 36 m pathlength simultaneously monitors the sidestream cigarette smoke. The smoke from experimental cigarettes manufactured with two types of iron oxide papers were compared to the smoke from cigarettes manufactured similarly without iron oxide in the paper using both instrument systems. The delivery per puff determined by the QC laser method agreed with FTIR results. MS CO intra-puff evolution profiles for iron oxide prototype cigarettes demonstrated CO reduction when compared to cigarettes without iron oxide paper. Additionally, both CO and CO(2) intra-puff evolution profiles of the cigarettes with iron oxide paper showed a significant reduction at the initial portion of the 2 s puff not observed in the non-iron oxide prototype cigarettes. This effect also was observed for ammonia and ethylene, suggesting that physical parameters such as paper porosity and burn rate are important. The SS CO and CO(2) deliveries for the experimental cigarettes evaluated remained unaffected. The iron oxide paper technology remains under development and continues to be evaluated.     

The cyclic CO2 trimer: observation of a parallel band and determination of an intermolecular out-of-plane torsional frequency

A new parallel (DeltaK=0) band of the cyclic CO(2) trimer is observed at 2364 cm(-1). The trimers are generated in a pulsed supersonic expansion from a slit-jet nozzle and probed with a tunable infrared diode laser. The band is assigned as a combination of an intramolecular CO(2) monomer nu(3) stretch and an intermolecular out-of-plane torsion, giving a torsional frequency of 12-13 cm(-1). The band is surprisingly strong and completely unperturbed, providing a rare and near perfect example for a parallel band of a symmetric top molecule with C(3h) symmetry and zero nuclear spins.     

Infrared spectra of isotopic CO2-He complexes

Infrared spectra of three isotopic forms of the weakly bound CO(2)-He van der Waals complex have been studied in the region of the CO(2) nu(3) fundamental band around 2300 cm(-1), using a tunable diode laser to probe a pulsed supersonic expansion. The complex is a T-shaped near-oblate asymmetric rotor, and it is found that (18)O isotopic substitution is sufficient to interchange the a and b inertial axes. For the symmetric isotopes, such as the normal species and the (16)O(13)C(16)O and (18)O(13)C(18)O forms studied here, half of the normal rotational levels of the complex are missing due to the effects of (16)O (or (18)O) interchange symmetry. However, for asymmetrically substituted ones, such as (16)O(13)C(18)O, all rotational levels are present. Moreover, for the asymmetric isotope, both a- and b-type transitions were observed, so that the spectrum was much richer. The CO(2)-He system is of interest both as a benchmark for intermolecular potential energy surface calculations, and because CO(2) is a valuable probe molecule for helium cluster spectroscopy.     

Development of a stabilized low temperature infrared absorption cell for use in low temperature and collisional cooling experiments

We have constructed a stabilized low temperature infrared absorption cell cooled by an open cycle refrigerator, which can run with liquid nitrogen from 250 to 80K or with liquid helium from 80K to a few kelvin. Several CO infrared spectra were recorded at low temperature using a tunable diode laser spectrometer. These spectra were analyzed taking into account the detailed effects of collisions on the line profile when the pressure increases. We also recorded spectra at very low pressure to accurately model the diode laser emission. Spectra of the R(2) line in the fundamental band of 13CO cooled by collisions with helium buffer gas at 10.5K and at pressures near 1 Torr have been recorded. The He-pressure broadening parameter (gamma(0) = 0.3 cm(-1) atm(-1)) has been derived from the simultaneous analysis of four spectra at different pressures.     

Plasma-chemical CO(2) decomposition in a non-self-sustained discharge with a controlled electronic component of plasma

Carbon dioxide decomposition in a non-self-sustained discharge was studied by the methods of diode laser spectroscopy and mass-spectrometry. It was shown that the effective control of the mechanism of a plasmachemical reaction is possible by varying the parameter E/N. This allowed us to reduce the energy cost of dissociation CO(2) by more than on an order of magnitude as compared to the dissociation process in a self-sustained glow discharge.