Laser spectroscopic oxygen sensor using diffuse reflector based optical cell and advanced signal processing

In this paper, an improved signal processing method is given, aiming at a sensitivity improvement of the tunable diode laser spectroscopy based gas concentration measurement. The gas absorption spectrum is probed with an optimum wavelength scanning function which enables a more efficient curve fit than for traditional linear wavelength scanning. The wavelength scanning function is determined to be optimum, in the sense that the variance of the estimated concentration noise is minimized. This optimum scanning function depends on the signal model used in curve fitting. Several models including interfering gas spectra and etalon fringes are examined. Compared to the gas absorption spectrum recorded by ramping the wavelength linearly, the optimum spectrum waveforms have a cascade structure, which means that the optimum scanning preferably samples important points of the spectrum. The new method theoretically enables a factor of ∼2 improvement on detection sensitivity of the estimated concentration. Furthermore, direct spectroscopy is superior to second harmonic detection, because the concentration noise can be an additional factor of ∼2 lower.