Compact, ultra-sensitive gas sensing techniques

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Detection and identification of gaseous species is crucial in applications spanning through defence and security, bio-medical, environmental monitoring and various others. Many techniques have been demonstrated over the years, with some demonstrating sensitivity to different molecules with concentrations as low as parts-per-quadrillion. However, such technologies are usually complicated with limited applicability beyond the lab. Therefore, there is still need for development of lightweight, compact and portable sensing devices that will bring the high sensitivity sensing into the field. In this project we aim to place our focus on the photothermal family of the laser-based spectroscopic techniques and especially on the photoacoustic spectroscopy. Here the wavelength of an excitation source is chosen such that it is coincident with a molecular absorption of the compounds of interest. When these molecules are within the excitation range, a portion of that radiation is absorbed which in turn leads to weak heating - and thus a change in density. Modulation of the incident wave causes an associated modulation in density, resulting in a periodic pressure - or sound - wave. This sound wave can subsequently be detected with a microphone-type arrangement. It is an ideal laser-based gas trace detection technique as it allows to combine rugged, highly compact topology with potentially very high specificity (as conferred by the laser linewidth), selectivity (from laser tunability) and, potentially, sensitivity (matching that of laboratory-based techniques). An exciting opportunity exists to develop and refine the spectroscopic work of the team at the Fraunhofer centre by combining their laser-based systems with the extensive expertise of Dr Michael Lengden gas sensing group, to generate novel sensing modalities. The prospective student will be exposed to the laboratory-based experimental laser physics, as well as opto-mechanical, electronic and spectroscopic instrumentation design. In parallel, she/he will study all the aspects of the acoustic detection modules, such as spectrophones design and manufacture, their characterisation and calibration. As such this represents an ideal challenge for a candidate exhibiting strength in experimental physics, as in encompasses photonics and acoustics, electronics and associated instrumentation. There is a strong desire to translate laboratory-based success into field-deployable demonstrators, and so a desire to engage with mechanical design and with potential end users is also highly desirable.