22
Optical
Carbon Dioxide Field Isotope Ratiometer—Vista Photonics, Inc.,
67 Condesa Road, Santa Fe,
NM
87508-8136; 505-466-3953
Dr.
Jeffrey S. Pilgrim, Principal Investigator, jpilgrim@vistaphotonics.com
Dr.
Jeffrey S. Pilgrim, Business Official, jpilgrim@vistaphotonics.com
DOE
Grant No. DE-FG02-05ER84306
Amount:
$750,000
Anthropogenic
greenhouse gas emissions are best quantified by determining their carbon dioxide
isotope ratios. However, the
required precision represents a challenge to optical measurement techniques
under field deployment conditions. This
project will develop a compact, rugged, mid-infrared spectrometer capable of
determining isotopic carbon dioxide ratios at atmospherically relevant levels.
In Phase I, a mid-infrared spectrometer for the detection of carbon
dioxide at 4.3 microns was constructed, based on a pulsed quantum cascade laser
(QCL). The sensitivity, selectivity,
and precision of the instrument for isotopic carbon dioxide analysis were
determined by using a high-performance optical cell specifically suited for
QCLs. An isotopic abundance
measurement precision below 0.2 'per mil' was predicted. In
Phase II, a fully-integrated QCL sensor prototype, based on photoacoustic
spectroscopy, will be constructed for field determination of atmospheric CO2
isotope ratios. Standard operating
protocols for the sensors will be established. The
prototypes will be refined through field-testing in several applications, which
also will be Phase III commercialization opportunities.
Commercial
Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee:
The
instrument should provide a compelling blend of price, performance and physical
advantages in a variety of gas detection applications.
Examples include atmospheric monitoring, environmental regulatory
compliance, process gas analysis, and biomedical breath diagnostics.
The targeted application for measuring greenhouse gas emissions is of
high intrinsic value for the assessment of global warming.