Photoacoustic spectroscopy-based ppb-level multi-gas sensor using symmetric multi-resonant cavity photoacoustic cell

In this paper, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a symmetric multi-resonant cavity photoacoustic cell (MR-PAC) with dual microphones detection, based on multi-resonator photoacoustic spectroscopy (MR-PAS). The designed photoacoustic cell contains three interconnected acoustic resonators to facilitate simultaneous control of three lasers for multi-gas sensing. Two microphones are symmetrically located at both sides of photoacoustic cell to implement two-point detection. The length of acoustic resonator is about 50 mm to minimize the photoacoustic cell, and the resonant frequency is around 3000 Hz. Feasibility and performance of the MRPAC was demonstrated by simultaneous detection of C2H2, NO and CF4 using a near infrared diode laser and two mid infrared quantum cascade lasers. The minimum detection limits (MDLs) of C2H2, NO and CF4 are 480 ppb, 260 ppb and 0.57 ppb respectively with a 1 s integration time at normal atmospheric pressure. This minimized MR-PAS system is promising for the portable multi-gas sensing.

Automated summary

In this paper, a symmetric multi-resonant cavity photoacoustic cell (MR-PAC) with dual microphones detection for multi-gas sensing is proposed and demonstrated. The photoacoustic cell consists of three interconnected acoustic resonators, and two microphones are symmetrically located to achieve two-point detection. Through experiments, the feasibility and performance of the MR-PAC in detecting C2H2, NO, and CF4 were validated, with minimum detection limits of 480 ppb, 260 ppb, and 0.57 ppb respectively. This compact MR-PAS system shows great potential for portable multi-gas sensing.