Cavity enhanced wavelength modulation spectrometry for application in chemical analysis

A simple and robust absorption technique is developed which combines cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy and wavelength modulation spectroscopy and measures the integrated output of unlocked cavities. The detection power of the technique is affected by peculiarities of the laser injection into a cavity causing excess noise which exceeds the shot noise. The noise and ways for its reduction are discussed. The new method is demonstrated by absorption measurements of excited carbon atoms in a microwave induced plasma. Preliminary detection limits equivalent to optical depths below 10^-6 were obtained. PACS 42.55.Px; 42.62.Fi; 42.60.Mi