Register for free to
view the full innovation profile.
A high-performance, miniature mid-infrared gas sensing system has been developed, with numerous potential markets in mind
About
Molecular sensing based on laser spectroscopy is a well-established technique which has found many embodiments in various applications. Highly sensitive systems operate in the mid-infrared but current models remain bulky and expensive. Researchers at STFC have developed a mid-infrared gas sensor using a Micro-Hollow WaveGuide (MHWG) integrated laser system. This enables miniaturisation of the system and ensures it is robust and compact. This pioneering new technology analyses gases in-situ and has shown excellent performance with measurements of several greenhouse gases. It is proposed that this new technology will have applications in environmental monitoring, industrial process monitoring, security and medical diagnosis. The miniature mid-infrared micro-fluidic gas sensing system was developed after several innovations in MHWG integrated systems and waveguide technology. The new technology has enabled ultra-miniaturisation of gas sensing systems by using a MHWG integrated laser system. This consists of the construction of an “optical circuit” in which optical functions and components are embedded. The components are linked by inscribing hollow waveguides that guide the light through the optical system. This technique has unique benefits compared to traditional open-space optical systems, including a reduced size and increased portability. In addition, the temporal response function of the system is very fast due to the small volume of gas contained within the waveguide. Further miniaturisation of the system has been proven after successful integration of a chip-like quantum cascade laser and corresponding semiconductor detector.
Key Benefits
• High sensitivity in the mid-IR range, beneficial for molecular testing • Small size is convenient and means that the system is portable • Ultra-compact and extremely robust due to the optical components being integrated onto a single substrate • Components can be fully encapsulated • Gives real-time results • Potential to develop as a handheld device with laboratory grade sensitivity • Possibility of low cost and high volume manufacturing
Applications
• Industrial process monitoring (handheld testing in pharmaceutical and food industries) • Environmental monitoring (industrial regulation, air quality monitoring, greenhouse gas emission services, pollution tracking services) • Medical diagnosis (non-invasive breath analysis for early diagnosis) • Security and defence (standoff explosive and chemical warfare agent detection, battlefield deployment)