Simulation model for the evaluation and design of miniaturized non-resonant photoacoustic gas sensors

Abstract

Abstract. This publication reports the derivation and the implementation of a simulation model that describes non-resonant photoacoustic gas sensors. The photoacoustic effect is modelled in detail for the successive steps of radiation emission, stimulation of molecules, collisional relaxation processes and finally the pressure formation in a closed gas cell. The photoacoustic effect offers great potential in the development of selective, miniaturized gas sensor systems. We verify and discuss the results of our model assuming typical parameters and values in indoor CO 2 sensing applications. We set up a sensor system for experimental verification of the simulated data and discuss the results. The results of the simulation model are in good accordance with the experimental data and can therefore be used as a novel and efficient tool for the development of non-resonant photoacoustic gas sensor systems.

Miniaturized photoacoustic detection of organofluorine-based refrigerants

“…In addition, an absorption chamber is placed between the light source and the detection chamber. When the absorption chamber is filled with the gas mixture to be tested, a reduction in the microphone signal results (Huber et al, 2016). When the test gas in the absorption chamber and the target gas in the detection chamber are equal, the detected signal is reduced significantly due to the high absorption distance, as shown in Fig.…”

“…Unlike the resonant configuration, no signal amplification takes place at a nonresonant detection (Bozóki et al, 2011). Nonresonant photoacoustic systems can be designed as two-chamber (Huber et al, 2016) or three-chamber detectors.…”

“…A two-chamber-based photoacoustic detector has a hermetically sealed detection chamber containing the microphone and the target gas ("red" molecules in Fig. 1) (Huber et al, 2016). In addition, an absorption chamber is placed between the light source and the detection chamber.…”

Development of an Indirect Photoacoustic Sensor Concept for Highly Accurate Low-ppm Gas Detection

“…The attenuation of light due to radiation absorption between the optical source and the reference chamber was used to infer the gas concentration. The performance of this device is compared to similar state-of-the art concepts [4,5].…”

System Level Simulations of an Open Photo-Acoustic Gas Sensor

“…Compared to the closed PAS described and simulated in [1,2], the open PAS described in this publication has a smaller size factor which makes it more attractive for mobile applications. The more compact nature of this sensor comes at the cost of an increased thermal coupling within the package which needs to be accounted for in the simulations to be able to accurately predict performance.…”