New generation of tuning forks for quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy

We report on the performance of new quartz tuning fork (QTF) designs optimized for quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (QEPAS). We investigated the impact on resonance properties of prong geometries differing from the standard rectangular one. We proposed a QTF with T-shaped prongs and a QTF with prongs having rectangular grooves carved on the surface. QTFs were implemented in a QEPAS sensor and performances were compared in terms of signalto-noise ratio (SNR). Then, QTFs were acoustically coupled with single- and dual-tube micro-resonator systems. A record x60 SNR enhancement factor with respect to the bare QTF was achieved with QTF having T-shaped prongs.

[1]  G. Scamarcio,et al.  Quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy exploiting tuning fork overtone modes , 2015 .

[2]  Frank K. Tittel,et al.  Recent advances in quartz enhanced photoacoustic sensing , 2018 .

[3]  K. Kokubun,et al.  Size effect of a quartz oscillator on its characteristics as a friction vacuum gauge , 1985 .

[4]  Vincenzo Spagnolo,et al.  Analysis of overtone flexural modes operation in quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy. , 2016, Optics express.

[5]  Xukun Yin,et al.  Quartz enhanced photoacoustic H2S gas sensor based on a fiber-amplifier source and a custom tuning fork with large prong spacing , 2015 .

[6]  Lei Dong,et al.  QEPAS spectrophones: design, optimization, and performance , 2010 .

[7]  N. P. Sanchez,et al.  Atmospheric CH₄ and N₂O measurements near Greater Houston area landfills using a QCL-based QEPAS sensor system during DISCOVER-AQ 2013. , 2014, Optics letters.

[8]  P. Patimisco,et al.  A quartz-enhanced photoacoustic sensor for H2S trace-gas detection at 2.6 μm , 2015 .

[9]  Huadan Zheng,et al.  Double antinode excited quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectrophone , 2017 .

[10]  Huadan Zheng,et al.  Simultaneous dual-gas QEPAS detection based on a fundamental and overtone combined vibration of quartz tuning fork , 2017 .

[11]  Frank K. Tittel,et al.  Loss Mechanisms Determining the Quality Factors in Quartz Tuning Forks Vibrating at the Fundamental and First Overtone Modes , 2018, IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control.

[12]  Vincenzo Spagnolo,et al.  Coupling external cavity mid-IR quantum cascade lasers with low loss hollow metallic/dielectric waveguides , 2012 .

[13]  G. Scamarcio,et al.  THz quartz-enhanced photoacoustic sensor for H₂S trace gas detection. , 2015, Optics express.

[14]  Huadan Zheng,et al.  Single-tube on-beam quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy. , 2016, Optics letters.

[15]  Frank K. Tittel,et al.  Octupole electrode pattern for tuning forks vibrating at the first overtone mode in quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy , 2019, OPTO.

[16]  A. Kosterev,et al.  Impact of humidity on quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy based detection of HCN , 2006 .

[17]  Frank K. Tittel,et al.  Analysis of the electro-elastic properties of custom quartz tuning forks for optoacoustic gas sensing , 2016 .

[18]  Vincenzo Spagnolo,et al.  Ppb-level detection of nitric oxide using an external cavity quantum cascade laser based QEPAS sensor. , 2011, Optics express.

[19]  Frank K. Tittel,et al.  Quartz-Enhanced Photoacoustic Spectroscopy: A Review , 2014, Sensors.

[20]  Huadan Zheng,et al.  Overtone resonance enhanced single-tube on-beam quartz enhanced photoacoustic spectrophone , 2016 .

[21]  Vincenzo Spagnolo,et al.  Highly sensitive gas leak detector based on a quartz-enhanced photoacoustic SF6 sensor. , 2016, Optics express.

[22]  A. Kosterev,et al.  Influence of molecular relaxation dynamics on quartz-enhanced photoacoustic detection of CO2 at λ =2 μm , 2006 .

[23]  Frank K. Tittel,et al.  Improved Tuning Fork for Terahertz Quartz-Enhanced Photoacoustic Spectroscopy , 2016, Sensors.

[24]  Huadan Zheng,et al.  Quartz–enhanced photoacoustic spectrophones exploiting custom tuning forks: a review , 2017 .

[25]  Frank K. Tittel,et al.  Allan Deviation Plot as a Tool for Quartz-Enhanced Photoacoustic Sensors Noise Analysis , 2016, IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control.

[26]  Vincenzo Spagnolo,et al.  Fiber-ring laser intracavity QEPAS gas sensor using a 7.2 kHz quartz tuning fork , 2018, Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical.

[27]  Frank K. Tittel,et al.  Nitrous oxide quartz-enhanced photoacoustic detection employing a broadband distributed-feedback quantum cascade laser array , 2018, Applied Physics Letters.