Optical multi-species gas monitoring sensor and system

US8330961B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Kurt A. Polzin · Owens Cross Roads, US
• Valentin Korman · Huntsville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 15, 2010
• Grant date: Dec 11, 2012
• Expiry date: Aug 24, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2021/451
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The system includes at least one light source generating light energy having a corresponding wavelength. The system's sensor is based on an optical interferometer that receives light energy from each light source. The interferometer includes a free-space optical path disposed in an environment of interest. The system's sensor includes an optical device disposed in the optical path that causes light energy of a first selected wavelength to continue traversing the optical path whereas light energy of at least one second selected wavelength is directed away from the optical path. The interferometer generates an interference between the light energy of the first selected wavelength so-traversing the optical path with the light energy at the corresponding wavelength incident on the optical interferometer. A first optical detector detects the interference. At least one second detector detects the light energy at the at least one second selected wavelength directed away from the optical path.