System Engineering of a Laser Photo-acoustic Sensor for Chemical Agent Monitoring

Graphic of photo-acoustic laser sensor

Scientists in the Remote Sensing and Electro-optics Group are developing a sensor system based on infrared detection that will allow sensitive and rapid detection with a small (<7 kg) portable package.

The sensor system includes:

  1. Sample handling and preconcentration,
  2. Quantum cascade laser emitters,
  3. Photoacoustic detection using novel quartz vibrational resonators,
  4. Hybrid holographic optical elements, and
  5. Multivariate statistical approaches for data analysis.

To achieve stable temperature control, each laser will be mounted to thermoelectric cooler attached to a liquid cooled heat exchanger.

The system must operate in a wide range of ambient conditions while using minimal power to conserve battery power. Engineers within the Mechanical Solutions Group are involved in the design of the laser cooling system and sample handling system and integrating the various subsystem into a working prototype.

Project Contact: B. Hatchell