A dual-beam detection strategy with automatic balancing is described for ultrasensitive spectroscopy. Absorbances of 2 × 10(-7) Hz(-½) in free-space configurations and 5 × 10(-6) Hz(-½) in fiber-coupled configurations are demonstrated. With the dual-beam technique, atmospherically broadened absorption transitions may be resolved with InGaAsP, AlGaAs, and AlGaInP single-longitudinal-mode diode lasers. Applications to trace measurements of NO(2), O(2), and H(2)O are described by the use of simple, inexpensive laser and detector systems. Small signal gain measurements on optically pumped I(2) with a sensitivity of 10(-5) are also reported.

Using recent advances in small, surface-mount electronics, coupled with proprietary packaging techniques, ACX has developed the SmartPackTM. The design and realization of this self-contained, active piezoelectric control device are described in this paper. The SmartPack uses a local control architecture, consisting of two parallel, analog, positive position feedback (PPF) filters, along with nearly collocated piezo strain sensors and actuators, to control multiple structural vibration modes. A key issue is the management of waste heat from the power electronics required to drive the piezo actuators. This issue is addressed through thermal/electrical modeling of the packaged amplifier. The effectiveness of the device is demonstrated through multi-mode active damping on a 24 inch square plate.

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