Incoherent broadband cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy in the near-ultraviolet: application to HONO and NO2

Environ Sci Technol. 2008 Feb 1;42(3):890-5. doi: 10.1021/es0716913.

Abstract

The first application of incoherent broadband cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy (IBBCEAS) in the near-ultraviolet for the simultaneous detection of two key atmospheric trace species, HONO and NO2, is reported. For both compounds the absorption is measured between 360 and 380 nm with a compact cavity-enhanced spectrometer employing a high power light-emitting diode. Detection limits of approximately 4 ppbv for HONO and approximately 14 ppbv for NO2 are reported for a static gas cell setup using a 20 s acquisition time. Based on an acquisition time of 10 min and an optical cavity length of 4.5 m detection limits of approximately 0.13 ppbv and approximately 0.38 ppbv were found for HONO and NO2 in a 4 m3 atmospheric simulation chamber, demonstrating the usefulness of this approach for in situ monitoring of these important species in laboratory studies or field campaigns.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Absorption
  • Light
  • Nitrogen Dioxide / analysis*
  • Nitrous Acid / analysis*
  • Spectrum Analysis / methods*
  • Ultraviolet Rays*

Substances

  • Nitrogen Dioxide
  • Nitrous Acid