New developments in THz quartz enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy

We will report on new developments of quartz-enhanced photo-acoustic (QEPAS) sensor employing THz quantum cascade laser (QCLs). The extension of the QEPAS technique in the THz range was made possible by the realization of custom made QTFs. With the aim to improve the QTF acousto-electric transduction efficiency, we designed and realized new QTF designs. A detailed analysis of the quality factor, the resonance frequency and the electrical resistance of custom quartz tuning forks (QTFs) with different geometrical parameters is reported. The custom QTFs were employed in QEPAS sensors using THz QCLs as the laser excitation sources and targeting CH3OH and H2S. Minimum detection limits of a few tens of ppb and normalized noise equivalent absorption factors down to 3.75×10-11 cm-1W/Hz½ were achieved. © (2016) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.