TDLAS–WMS based near-infrared methane sensor system using hollow-core photonic crystal fiber as gas-chamber

A near-infrared methane (CH4) sensor system was implemented using a hollow-core photonic crystal fiber (HC-PCF) as gas-chamber. Coupling joints including ceramic ferrules and ceramic mating sleeve were used to realize butt coupling between hollow-core fiber and single-mode fiber. A near-infrared distribute feedback laser was used for CH4 detection based on wavelength modulation spectroscopy technique. CH4 measurements were conducted to derive the sensor-system performances. Using a 5.3 mW laser power and a 0.8 m-long HC-PCF, a minimum detection limit of ~8.7 ppm at 0.1 s averaging time was obtained and it can be further improved to 1.4 ppm at an averaging time of 10 s. A good linear calibration curve between the amplitude ratio (2f/1f) and the CH4 concentration was obtained within the concentration range of 0–1000 ppm. This sensor system shows potential applications in distributed field measurements on CH4 in industrial process control, environmental monitoring, etc.

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