| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/M12698/01 |
| Title: |
DETECTION OF TRACE ATMOSPHERIC SPECIES BY RESONANT CAVITY DIODE LASER ABSORPTION |
| Principal Investigator: |
Hancock, Professor G |
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| Department: |
Oxford Chemistry |
| Organisation: |
University of Oxford |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 September 1998 |
Ends: |
30 November 2000 |
Value (£): |
132,014
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Analytical Science |
Instrumentation Eng. & Dev. |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The output of a narrow band diode laser will be injected into an optical cavity whose length is stabilised so that it is resonant for the laser wavelength. The enhancement of any absorption by trace gases present in the cavity will be used to provide a sensitive and quantitative detection system for species in the atmosphere at levels down to ppt with an instrument which is portable, light and easily electronically controlled. The principles will first be tested on the NO-3 radical, absorbing at 662 nm and present in the night-time troposphere at a concentration of ca. 6 ppt. Resonan cavity measurements taken at two wavelengths on and off the molecule's absorption features will be used to determine its concentration. A second system will be constructed for the detection of specific hydrocarbons through their first overtone absorptions near 1.7 -m. Emphasis will be placed on formaldehyde as a test molecule in the atmosphere. The detection range will be extended into the uv by construction of a frequency doubled diode laser, with absorption of atmospheric species such as HONO or SO2 attempted.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.ox.ac.uk |