Trace gas absorption spectroscopy using functionalized microring resonators

We detect trace gases at parts-per-billion levels using evanescent-field absorption spectroscopy in silicon nitride microring resonators coated with a functionalized sorbent polymer. An analysis of the microring resonance line shapes enables a measurement of the differential absorption spectra for a number of vapor-phase analytes. The spectra are obtained at the near-infrared overtone of OH-stretch resonance, which provides information about the toxicity of the analyte vapor. (C) 2014 Optical Society of America