Fluctuation-Enhanced Sensing with Commercial Gas Sensors

The stochastic component of the sensor signal in commercial semiconductor gas sensors during exposure to different gases has been studied. The resistance fluctuation measurements have been carried out using different concentrations of ethanol, CO, NO x , H 2 and SO 2 in dry synthetic air. The analysis of the stochastic resistance fluctuations in gas sensors during exposure to gases enables an enhanced sensitivity and selectivity. The normalized power spectrum is characteristic for each sensor, and each gas induces a new characteristic power spectrum. In many cases, sensors can be used even for different gases than the gas they were originally designed for.