Mobile spectroscopic system for trace gas detection using a tunable mid-IR laser.

We describe a mobile spectroscopic system for trace gas analysis based on the open path differential absorption spectrometer and the photoacoustic spectrometer. The first method allows long distance measurements (up to a few kilometers) while the second one provides local in situ detection of pollutants. The open path system is based on the nanosecond (f=10 Hz, tau approximate to 5 ns) lamp pumped Nd:YAG laser and a tunable two cascade optical parametric generator operating in the 5-12 mu m spectral region. This source was mounted into the lidar setup based on the coaxial transmitter/receiver. The photoacoustic system was constructed using the same laser as well as a nonresonant photoacoustic cell.(c) 2007 American Institute of Physics.