Gas detection using an integrating sphere as a multipass absorption cell

Eamonn Hawe, Gerard Dooly, Paul Chambers, Colin Fitzpatrick, Elfed Lewis

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

The reduction of harmful environmental pollutants which can have adverse effects on human health and the development of sensors capable of monitoring low concentrations of these pollutants is a major source of concern for many researchers today. This paper describes a multipass absorption cell used to detect and monitor the presence of several gases in the ultra violet and visible regions. An integrating sphere with a highly reflective internal coating (over 99%) was adapted in order to input and output various gases. Sulphur dioxide was detected in the ultra violet region, ozone in the visible and nitrogen dioxide in both the ultra violet and visible. This paper will report the generation of effective optical path lengths of up to 70 cm using a 5 cm diameter integrating sphere. This results in an optical sensor capable of detecting sulphur dioxide concentrations as low as 10 ppm, nitrogen dioxide concentrations as low as 4 ppm and ozone levels of the order of 500 ppm.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPhotonic Applications for Aerospace, Transportation, and Harsh Environments
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2006
EventPhotonic Applications for Aerospace, Transportation, and Harsh Environments - Boston, MA, United States
Duration: 3 Oct 20063 Oct 2006

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume6379
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Conference

ConferencePhotonic Applications for Aerospace, Transportation, and Harsh Environments
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBoston, MA
Period3/10/063/10/06

Keywords

  • Absorption spectroscopy
  • Integrating sphere
  • Nitrogen dioxide
  • Ozone
  • Sulphur dioxide

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