Title :
Quantum-cascade-laser-based optoacoustic detection for breath sensor applications
Author :
Spagnolo, V. ; Lewicki, R. ; Dong, L. ; Tittel, F.K.
Author_Institution :
Dipt. Interateneo di Fis. M. Merlin, Politec. di Bari, Bari, Italy
Abstract :
Continuous wave, thermoelectrically cooled, quantum cascade laser based sensor platform for the quantitative detection of exhaled human breath is reported. The sensor is based on a 2f wavelength modulation quartz enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (QEPAS) technique, which is very well suited for real time breath analysis, due to the fast gas exchange inside a compact QEPAS gas cell. The quantum cascade laser has be designed to target the interference-free NO absorption line at 1900.075 cm-1. A 1s minimum detectable concentration of ~ 8 parts per billion in volume with 1 sec time resolution was obtained. Preliminary breath test demonstrated extremely fast response and fast signal decay.
Keywords :
biomedical equipment; biomedical measurement; biosensors; laser applications in medicine; measurement by laser beam; photoacoustic spectra; pneumodynamics; quantum cascade lasers; breath sensor applications; compact QEPAS gas cell; continuous wave sensor platform; exhaled human breath; gas exchange; interference-free absorption line; preliminary breath test; quantum cascade laser based sensor platform; quantum-cascade-laser-based optoacoustic detection; real time breath analysis; signal decay; thermoelectrically cooled sensor platform; wavelength modulation quartz enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy; Absorption; Electron tubes; Gas lasers; Humans; Optical sensors; Quantum cascade lasers; Spectroscopy; Breath sensor; Quartz enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy; trace gas detection; wavelength modulation;
Conference_Titel :
Medical Measurements and Applications Proceedings (MeMeA), 2011 IEEE International Workshop on
Conference_Location :
Bari
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-9336-4
DOI :
10.1109/MeMeA.2011.5966773
