We report the simple detection method of the small hydrocarbons, methane and ethane, by continuous-wave cavity ring-down spectroscopy near 1.67 <TEX>${\mu}m$</TEX> using an external cavity diode laser. The absorption lines of methane between 6002.48 <TEX>$cm^{-1}$</TEX> and 6003.37 <TEX>$cm^{-1}$</TEX> and ethane between 5955.65 <TEX>$cm^{-1}$</TEX> and 5956.4 <TEX>$cm^{-1}$</TEX> have been resolved and employed for the gas detection. The largest absorption cross sections were found to be 6.5<TEX>$\times10^{-20}cm^2$</TEX> and 7.4<TEX>$\times10^{-21}cm^2$</TEX> for methane and ethane, respectively, in each spectral range. The minimum detectable absorption limit of our spectrometer was 4.8<TEX>${\times}10^{-9}cm^{-1}$</TEX>/<TEX>$\sqrt{Hz}$</TEX>, which corresponds to the detection limits of 3 ppb/<TEX>$\sqrt{Hz}$</TEX> and 27 ppb/<TEX>$\sqrt{Hz}$</TEX> for methane and ethane, respectively. The near-IR continuous-wave cavity ring-down spectroscopic detection method of the small hydrocarbons can be applied for medical diagnosis and environmental monitoring as a fast and convenient method.

© 2008 Optical Society of Korea

1. A. O"Keefe and D. A. G. Deacon, “Cavity ring-down optical spectrometer for absorption measurements using pulsed laser sources,” Rev. Sci. Instrum., vol. 59, pp. 2544-2551, 1988 [CrossRef]
2. G. Berden, R. Peeters, and G. Meijer, “Cavity ringdown spectroscopy: Experimental schemes and applications," Int. Rev. Phys. Chem., vol. 19, pp. 565-607, 2000 [CrossRef]
3. M. Mazurenka, A. J. Orr-Ewing, R. Peverall, and G. A. D. Ritchie, “Cavity ring-down and cavity enhanced spectroscopy using diode lasers,” Annu. Rep. Prog. Chem., Sect. C, vol. 101, pp. 100-142, 2005 [CrossRef]
4. M. R. Mccurdy, Y. A. Bakhirkin, and F. K. Tittel, “Quantum cascade laser-based integrated cavity output spectroscopy of exhaled nitric oxide,” Appl. Phys. B, vol. 85, pp. 445-452, 2006 [CrossRef]
5. M. L. Silva, D. M. Sonnenfroh, D. I. Rosen, M. G. Allen, and A. O"Keefe, “Integrated cavity output spectroscopy measurements of nitric oxide levels in breath with a pulsed room-temperature quantum cascade laser,” Appl. Phys. B, vol. 81, pp. 705-710, 2005 [CrossRef]
6. K. D. Skeldon, G. M. Gibson, C. A. Wyse, L. C. McMillan, S. D. Monk, C. Longbottom, and M. J. Padgett, “Development of high-resolution real-time subppb ethane spectroscopy and some pilot studies in life science,” Appl. Opt., vol. 44, pp. 4712-4721, 2005 [CrossRef]
7. K. Namjou, C. B. Roller, T. E. Reich, J. D. Jeffers, G. L. McMillen, P. J. McCann, and M. A. Camp, “Determination of exhaled nitric oxide distributions in a diverse sample population using tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy,” Appl. Phys. B, vol. 85, pp. 427-435, 2006 [CrossRef]
8. A. Popp, F. Muller, F. Kuhnemann, S. Schiller, G. von Basum, H. Dahnke, P. Hering, and M. Murtz, “Ultrasensitive mid-infrared cavity leak-out spectroscopy using a cw optical parametric oscillator,” Appl. Phys. B, vol. 75, pp. 751-754, 2002 [CrossRef]
9. D. Halmer, S. Thelen, P. Hering, M. Murtz, “Online monitoring of ethane traces in exhaled breath with a difference frequency generation spectrosmeter,” Appl. Phys. B, vol. 85, pp. 437-443, 2006 [CrossRef]
10. G. von Basum, D. Halmer, P. Hering, M. Murtz, S. Schiller, F. Muller, A. Popp, and F. Kuhnemann, “Parts per trillion sensitivity for ethane in air with an optical parametric oscillator caivtiy leak-out spectrometer,” Opt. Lett., vol. 29, pp. 797-799, 2004 [CrossRef]
11. Jun Ye, Long-Sheng Ma, and John L. Hall, “Ultrasensitive detections in atomic and molecular physics: demonstration in molecular overtone spectroscopy,” J. Opt. Soc. Am. B, vol. 15, pp. 6-15, 1998 [CrossRef]
12. T. G. Spence, C. C. Harb, B. A. Paldus, R. N. Zare, B. Wilke, and R. L. Byer, “A laser-locked cavity ringdown spectrometer employing an analog detection scheme,” Rev. Sci. Instrum., vol. 71, pp. 347-353, 2000 [CrossRef]
13. Y. He and B. J. Orr, “Detection of trace gases by rapidly-swept continuous-wave cavity ringdown spectroscopy: pushing the limits of sensitivity,” Appl. Phys. B, vol. 85, pp. 355-364, 2006 [CrossRef]
14. E. R. Crosson, K. N. Ricci, B. A. Richman, F. C. Chilese, T. G. Owano, R. A. Provencal, M. W. Todd, J. Glasser, A. A. Kachanov, B. A. Paldus, T. G. Spence, and R. N. Zare, “Stable isotope ratios using cavity ring-down spectroscopy: Determination of 13C/12C for carbon dioxide in human breath,” Anal. Chem., vol. 74, pp. 2003-2007, 2002 [CrossRef]
15. B. A. Paldus, C. C. Harb, T. G. Spence, B. Wilke, J. Xie, J. S. Harris, and R. N. Zare, “Cavity-locked ringdown spectroscopy,” J. Appl. Phys., vol. 83, pp. 3991- 3997, 1998 [CrossRef]
16. HITRAN2000 database, www.hitran.com
17. Chuji Wang, Susan T. Scherrer, and Delwar Hossain, “Measurements of cavity ringdown spectroscopy of acetone in the ultraviolet and near-infrared spectral regions: Potential for development of a breath analyzer,” Applied Spectroscopy, vol. 58, pp. 784-791, 2004 [CrossRef]
18. B. L. Fawcett, A. M. Parkes, D. E. Shallcross, and A. J. Orr-Ewing, “Trace detection of methane using continuous wave cavity ring-down spectroscopy at <TEX>$1.65{\mu}m$</TEX>”, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., vol. 4, pp. 5960-5965, 2002 [CrossRef]
19. A. W. Liu, S. Kassi and A. Campargue, “High sensitivity cw-cavity ring down spectroscopy of <TEX>$CH_4$</TEX> in the <TEX>$1.55{\mu}m$</TEX> transparency window”, Chem. Phys. Lett., vol. 447, pp. 16-20, 2007 [CrossRef]
20. D. Romanini and K. K. Lehmann, “Ring-down cavity absorption spectroscopy of the very weak HCN overtone bands with six, seven, and eight stretching quanta,” J. Chem. Phys., vol. 99, pp. 6287-6301, 1993 [CrossRef]
21. H. S. Moon , W. K. Lee, and H. S. Suh, “Saturated Absorption Spectroscopy of <TEX>$^{12}C_2H_2$</TEX>in the Near Infrared Region”, Journal of the Optical Society Korea, vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 1-5, 2004
22. L. G. Smith, “The Infra-Red Spectrum of <TEX>$C_2H_6$</TEX>,” J. Chem. Phys., vol. 17, pp. 139-167, 1949 [CrossRef]
23. EDGAR 32FT2000. Emission Database for Global Atmospheric Research, version 3.2, fast track 2000 project, www.mnp.nl/edgar/model/v32ft2000edgar
24. NOAA ESRL GMD Carbon Cycle, www.cmdl. noaa. gov/ccgg
25. T. H. Risby and S. F. Solga, “Current status of clinical breath analysis,” Appl. Phys. B, vol. 85, pp. 421-426, 2006 [CrossRef]
26. M. Murtz, “Breath diagnostics using laser spectroscopy,” Optics & Photonics News, January 2005, pp. 30-35, 2005

Anal. Chem.

• E. R. Crosson, K. N. Ricci, B. A. Richman, F. C. Chilese, T. G. Owano, R. A. Provencal, M. W. Todd, J. Glasser, A. A. Kachanov, B. A. Paldus, T. G. Spence, and R. N. Zare, “Stable isotope ratios using cavity ring-down spectroscopy: Determination of 13C/12C for carbon dioxide in human breath,” Anal. Chem., vol. 74, pp. 2003-2007, 2002 [CrossRef]

Annu. Rep. Prog. Chem., Sect. C: Phys. Chem.

• M. Mazurenka, A. J. Orr-Ewing, R. Peverall, and G. A. D. Ritchie, “Cavity ring-down and cavity enhanced spectroscopy using diode lasers,” Annu. Rep. Prog. Chem., Sect. C, vol. 101, pp. 100-142, 2005 [CrossRef]

Applied Optics

• K. D. Skeldon, G. M. Gibson, C. A. Wyse, L. C. McMillan, S. D. Monk, C. Longbottom, and M. J. Padgett, “Development of high-resolution real-time subppb ethane spectroscopy and some pilot studies in life science,” Appl. Opt., vol. 44, pp. 4712-4721, 2005 [CrossRef]

Applied Physics B: Lasers and Optics

• K. Namjou, C. B. Roller, T. E. Reich, J. D. Jeffers, G. L. McMillen, P. J. McCann, and M. A. Camp, “Determination of exhaled nitric oxide distributions in a diverse sample population using tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy,” Appl. Phys. B, vol. 85, pp. 427-435, 2006 [CrossRef]
• A. Popp, F. Muller, F. Kuhnemann, S. Schiller, G. von Basum, H. Dahnke, P. Hering, and M. Murtz, “Ultrasensitive mid-infrared cavity leak-out spectroscopy using a cw optical parametric oscillator,” Appl. Phys. B, vol. 75, pp. 751-754, 2002 [CrossRef]
• D. Halmer, S. Thelen, P. Hering, M. Murtz, “Online monitoring of ethane traces in exhaled breath with a difference frequency generation spectrosmeter,” Appl. Phys. B, vol. 85, pp. 437-443, 2006 [CrossRef]
• M. R. Mccurdy, Y. A. Bakhirkin, and F. K. Tittel, “Quantum cascade laser-based integrated cavity output spectroscopy of exhaled nitric oxide,” Appl. Phys. B, vol. 85, pp. 445-452, 2006 [CrossRef]
• M. L. Silva, D. M. Sonnenfroh, D. I. Rosen, M. G. Allen, and A. O"Keefe, “Integrated cavity output spectroscopy measurements of nitric oxide levels in breath with a pulsed room-temperature quantum cascade laser,” Appl. Phys. B, vol. 81, pp. 705-710, 2005 [CrossRef]
• T. H. Risby and S. F. Solga, “Current status of clinical breath analysis,” Appl. Phys. B, vol. 85, pp. 421-426, 2006 [CrossRef]
• Y. He and B. J. Orr, “Detection of trace gases by rapidly-swept continuous-wave cavity ringdown spectroscopy: pushing the limits of sensitivity,” Appl. Phys. B, vol. 85, pp. 355-364, 2006 [CrossRef]

Applied Spectroscopy

• Chuji Wang, Susan T. Scherrer, and Delwar Hossain, “Measurements of cavity ringdown spectroscopy of acetone in the ultraviolet and near-infrared spectral regions: Potential for development of a breath analyzer,” Applied Spectroscopy, vol. 58, pp. 784-791, 2004 [CrossRef]

Chemical Physics Letters

• A. W. Liu, S. Kassi and A. Campargue, “High sensitivity cw-cavity ring down spectroscopy of <TEX>$CH_4$</TEX> in the <TEX>$1.55{\mu}m$</TEX> transparency window”, Chem. Phys. Lett., vol. 447, pp. 16-20, 2007 [CrossRef]

International Reviews in Physical Chemistry

• G. Berden, R. Peeters, and G. Meijer, “Cavity ringdown spectroscopy: Experimental schemes and applications," Int. Rev. Phys. Chem., vol. 19, pp. 565-607, 2000 [CrossRef]

J. Appl. Phys.

• B. A. Paldus, C. C. Harb, T. G. Spence, B. Wilke, J. Xie, J. S. Harris, and R. N. Zare, “Cavity-locked ringdown spectroscopy,” J. Appl. Phys., vol. 83, pp. 3991- 3997, 1998 [CrossRef]

J. Chem. Phys.

• D. Romanini and K. K. Lehmann, “Ring-down cavity absorption spectroscopy of the very weak HCN overtone bands with six, seven, and eight stretching quanta,” J. Chem. Phys., vol. 99, pp. 6287-6301, 1993 [CrossRef]
• L. G. Smith, “The Infra-Red Spectrum of <TEX>$C_2H_6$</TEX>,” J. Chem. Phys., vol. 17, pp. 139-167, 1949 [CrossRef]

JOSA B

• Jun Ye, Long-Sheng Ma, and John L. Hall, “Ultrasensitive detections in atomic and molecular physics: demonstration in molecular overtone spectroscopy,” J. Opt. Soc. Am. B, vol. 15, pp. 6-15, 1998 [CrossRef]

Journal of the Optical Society of Korea

• H. S. Moon , W. K. Lee, and H. S. Suh, “Saturated Absorption Spectroscopy of <TEX>$^{12}C_2H_2$</TEX>in the Near Infrared Region”, Journal of the Optical Society Korea, vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 1-5, 2004

Optics & Photonics News

• M. Murtz, “Breath diagnostics using laser spectroscopy,” Optics & Photonics News, January 2005, pp. 30-35, 2005

Optics Letters

• G. von Basum, D. Halmer, P. Hering, M. Murtz, S. Schiller, F. Muller, A. Popp, and F. Kuhnemann, “Parts per trillion sensitivity for ethane in air with an optical parametric oscillator caivtiy leak-out spectrometer,” Opt. Lett., vol. 29, pp. 797-799, 2004 [CrossRef]

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys.

• B. L. Fawcett, A. M. Parkes, D. E. Shallcross, and A. J. Orr-Ewing, “Trace detection of methane using continuous wave cavity ring-down spectroscopy at <TEX>$1.65{\mu}m$</TEX>”, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., vol. 4, pp. 5960-5965, 2002 [CrossRef]

Rev. Sci. Instrum.

• T. G. Spence, C. C. Harb, B. A. Paldus, R. N. Zare, B. Wilke, and R. L. Byer, “A laser-locked cavity ringdown spectrometer employing an analog detection scheme,” Rev. Sci. Instrum., vol. 71, pp. 347-353, 2000 [CrossRef]
• A. O"Keefe and D. A. G. Deacon, “Cavity ring-down optical spectrometer for absorption measurements using pulsed laser sources,” Rev. Sci. Instrum., vol. 59, pp. 2544-2551, 1988 [CrossRef]

Other

• HITRAN2000 database, www.hitran.com
• EDGAR 32FT2000. Emission Database for Global Atmospheric Research, version 3.2, fast track 2000 project, www.mnp.nl/edgar/model/v32ft2000edgar
• NOAA ESRL GMD Carbon Cycle, www.cmdl. noaa. gov/ccgg

Click here to see a list of articles that cite this paper

Related Journal Articles

• Sub-shot-noise frequency-modulation spectroscopy by use of amplitude-squeezed light from semiconductor lasers (JOSAB)
• Measurement precision in surface Brillouin scattering (JOSAB)
• Magnetic-field effects on molecular transitions in the far-infrared region: prospects for more-sensitive spectrometers (JOSAB)
• Periodically Locked Continuous-Wave Cavity Ringdown Spectroscopy (AO)
• Polarization spectroscopy and magnetically-induced dichroism of the potassium D₂ lines (OE)

Related Conference Papers

• Implementation of the Deutsch-Jozsa Algorithm with Rovibrational Molecular Wave Packets
• Implementation of the Deutsch-Jozsa Algorithm with Rovibrational Molecular Wave Packets
• Entanglement between Bose condensates
• Entanglement between Bose condensates
• Cavity-enhanced instrumentation for atmospheric monitoring
• Intracavity laser absorption spectroscopy and Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy in low pressure flames. Comparison and perspectives.
• Application of cavity ring-down spectroscopy to sputter erosion measurements