Quantum Cascade Laser Mini Monitor
Sensitive, rapid, highly specific and continuous measurements of atmospheric trace gases in ambient air. See the world's most precise nitrous oxide (N2O) monitors.
Applications
- Detection of a wide variety of atmospheric trace gases, such as: methane, nitrous oxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, formic acid, ethylene, acetylene, carbonyl sulfide, acrolein, ammonia and others.
- Isotopic monitoring of CO2, CH4, and N2O.
- Combustion monitoring and characterization.
- Isotopic monitoring for source/sink characterization.
- Eddy Covariance measurements for nitrous oxide and other trace gases.
- Fast response plume studies.
- Breath analysis.
- Air quality monitoring.
- Mobile measurements from ship, truck, and aircraft platforms.
- Simultaneous monitoring of N2O, CO2 (or CO) and water vapor with unprecedented precision.
Advantages
- Our smallest QC laser trace gas monitor with electronics and optics in a single compact unit.
- Absolute trace gas concentrations without calibration gases.
- Fast time response.
- Free from interferences by other atmospheric gases or water vapor.
- Turnkey and unattended operation.
- Cryogen free.
- Ready to be deployed in field measurements and on moving platforms.
- Optical path length up to 76 meters.
Summary of Detected Gases
Higher precision and accuracy is obtainable with CW-RT QCLs.
Table 2. Atmospheric trace gases which can be monitored with CW QC lasers. For each species the optimal wavelength (cm-1), the nominal detection precision (ppt in1 sec) and the detection limit (2 sigma in 100 sec) are given based upon a sampling cell with pathlength of 76 m.
| Trace gas | Wavenumber [cm-1] | Precision (1 s) [ppt] | LOD (100 s) [ppt] |
| 12CH4 13CH4 | 1271 1294 | 400 75 | -- 30 |
| CO N2O | 2190 1271 | 60 80 | 30 -- |
| N2O NH3 | 2250 967 | 30 36 | -- 18 |
| NO2 HONO | 1600 1279 | 60 450 | 30 200 |
| HCHO HCOOH | 1765 1766 | 150 250 | 60 120 |
| NO OCS | 1900 2056 | 250 20 | 120 1 |
Data outputs
Local storage, internet, RS232, analog output
Data rate
1 to 10 Hz (depends on specific instrument and vacuum pump)
Instrument operation
Autonomous and/or remote control
Options
Replacement lasers to access additional molecules
On site training
Mechanical Specifications for compact single QCL instrument
Dimensions: 430 mm x 270 mm (W x E x H) (core instrument)
Weight: 25 kg (core instrument)
Electric Power: 500 W, 120/240 V, 50/60 Hz (with Varian IDP-3 vacuum pump)
