Continuous-wave terahertz spectroscopy by photomixing is applied to the analysis of mainstream cigarette smoke. Using the wide tunability of the source, spectral signatures of hydrogen cyanide $\left(\mathrm{HCN}\right)$ , carbon monoxide $\left(\mathrm{CO}\right)$ , formaldehyde $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{CO}\right)$ , and water $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$ have been observed from 500 to $2400\mathrm{GHz}$ . The fine spectral purity allows direct concentration measurement from the pure rotational transitions of $\mathrm{HCN}$ and $\mathrm{CO}$ . The quantification of the measurement was validated by the means of a calibration gas containing $\mathrm{CO}$ . The potential of this technique for trace gas detection is demonstrated with an estimated detection limit of $\mathrm{HCN}$ equal to 9 parts in ${10}^6$ .

© 2006 Optical Society of America

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