Diode laser-pumped laser system for ultra-sensitive gas detection via intracavity laser spectroscopy (ILS)
US5747807A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 3, 1996 |
| Grant date | May 5, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 3, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S5/141
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Contaminants are detected optically at concentrations below 1 part-per-million (ppm) and extending to a level approaching 1 part-per-trillion (ppt) by using intracavity laser spectroscopy (ILS) techniques. A diode laser-pumped solid-state laser (the ILS laser) is employed as a detector. The ILS laser comprises an ion-doped crystal medium contained in a laser cavity optically pumped by a diode laser pump laser. A gas sample containing gaseous contaminant species is placed inside the laser cavity and on one side of the ion-doped crystal. The output signal from the ILS laser is detected and analyzed to identify the gaseous species (via its spectral signature). The concentration of the gaseous species can be determined from the spectral signature as well. Advantageously, the diode laser pump laser is relatively small and compact in comparison to other sources of optical pumping. Additionally, the small/compact size of the diode laser pump laser makes the gas detection system constructed therewith amenable to a broad variety of practical applications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.