September 1, 2018
Journal Article

Real-time standoff detection of nitrogen isotopes in ammonia plumes using a swept external cavity quantum cascade laser

Abstract

A swept-wavelength external cavity quantum cascade laser is used to measure time-resolved 15NH3 and 14NH3 concentrations and isotope ratios in a turbulent plume source located at 10 m standoff distance. Measurements show excellent agreement with expected values of isotope ratios for samples with natural and enriched 15N abundance. Detection sensitivity of 150 ppb*m is demonstrated for a 50 ms measurement interval, improving to 10 ppb*m with 10 s averaging, with isotopic precision as good as 0.8%.

Revised: January 29, 2021 | Published: September 1, 2018

Citation

Phillips M.C., B.E. Brumfield, and S.S. Harilal. 2018. Real-time standoff detection of nitrogen isotopes in ammonia plumes using a swept external cavity quantum cascade laser. Optics Letters 43, no. 17:4065. PNNL-SA-135139. doi:10.1364/OL.43.004065