Laser diode based oxygen sensing: A comparison of VCSEL and DFB laser diodes emitting in the 762 nm region

The performance of VCSEL and DFB laser diodes for spectroscopic based high sensitivity oxygen sensing is compared. Detectivities of < 20 ppm m using the DFB laser diode and < 7 × 103 ppm m using the VCSEL were determined utilising wavelength modulation spectroscopy and harmonic detection. We assess factors influencing the relative performance of these devices, including spectral resolution, laser optical power and light current curve linearity.