Detection of the trace amounts of carbon monoxide using cavity enhanced spectroscopy

A laboratory demonstrator of the optoelectronic sensor employing cavity enhanced spectroscopy has been designed to detect the trace amounts of carbon monoxide. High sensitivity of this sensor is provided by the use of optical cavity consisted of dielectric mirrors with extremely high reflectance. The instrument concept was taking into consideration the latest achievement of optoelectronic technology as a part of the ‘EDEN’ project, funded by the Polish National Centre for Research and Development. Preliminary tests using the sensor concept have shown that detection of carbon monoxide is possible using the developed devices. In this configuration, the sensor is characterized by high linear sensitivity in the concentration range of 10 ppb to 2.5 ppm.