Laser spectroscopy

From the laboratory into the process: sensitive and selective measurement of gases and liquids

Today, lasers are among the most important tools of optics in research and industry. Laser-based spectrometers have clear advantages for demanding measurement tasks - for example in process analysis. Using a laser as light source, applications can be realized with unexpected sensitivity and selectivity.

Thanks to technological advances in interband cascade lasers (ICL), optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) or quantum cascade lasers (QCL), we are able to measure the composition of liquids and gases more sensitively and faster than ever before - not only in the laboratory but also in industrial processes. In addition to in-situ measuring systems or measuring systems with sophisticated sampling methods, leakage measurements on gas pipelines over distances of 50 meters and more are now possible. Laser spectroscopic systems are increasingly available on the market. Their reliability grows with the experience in the application of these systems. This has a positive effect on its acceptance and number of official approvals for laser analyzers. The higher quantities favor the development towards lower prices.

The extended spectral coverage of novel laser systems makes them more flexible and opens up new areas of application. Systems with an external optical resonator (EC laser), laser arrays and optical frequency combs are penetrating into areas of application that were previously reserved for classic broadband spectrometers or fourier transform spectrometers (FTIR). Gases under high pressures, larger molecules or liquids by means of attenuated reflection (ATR) can be analyzed using broadband spectroscopy. Modern evaluation methods such as multi-component analysis and intelligent analysis methods provide reliable results even with complicated mixtures.