Airborne campaign results of a compact 2-4um broadband supercontinuum-based spectrometer system for multi-species atmospheric gas analysis at ppm level

A compact broadband atmospheric gas spectrometer has been developed in the framework of the EU-H2020 FLAIR project. The system is composed of a mid-IR 2-4um broadband supercontinuum source, a temperature controlled 10-meter-long multipass-cell for light-gas interaction, a diffraction grating, and an uncooled PbSe-on-CMOS matrix detector recording absorption spectra. The detection limit has been measured at sub-ppm level on methane under laboratory conditions. We also present 2 successful field measurement campaigns aboard airborne platforms: a hot-air airship for controlled methane release experiments, and a helicopter tracking ship exhaust fumes abroad the coastline of Denmark, with special emphasis on methane detection.

Automated summary

The compact broadband atmospheric gas spectrometer developed in the EU-H2020 FLAIR project utilizes a mid-IR broadband supercontinuum source and a temperature controlled multipass-cell for efficient detection of gases like methane, achieving a detection limit at sub-ppm level. Successful field measurement campaigns aboard airborne platforms have demonstrated significant results, with particular emphasis on methane detection.