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Tunable laser spectroscopy (TLS) combined with mid-infrared imaging is a powerful tool for a sensitive and quantitative visualization of gas leaks. This work deals with standoff methane leak detection within 2 m by an interband cascade laser (3270 nm wavelength) and an infrared camera. The concept demonstrates visualization of methane leakage rates down to 2 ml/min by images and sequences at frame rates up to 125 Hz. The gas plume and leak can be localized and quantified within a single image by direct absorption spectroscopy (DAS). The HITRAN database allows a calibration-free, pixelwise determination of the concentration in ppm*m. The active optical imaging concept showed pixelwise sensitivities around 1 ppm*m.

Mid-infrared imaging and tunable laser spectroscopy were combined to obtain a hyperspectral gas camera for detecting methane leaks. With the setup a detection limit of better than 10 ppm-m and a leakage flow rate of less than 0.5 ml/min methane has been achieved.

Bulk high-throughput experiments allow the exploration of unknown alloy systems for novel permanent magnet phases. This multilevel concept is threefold. Search field prioritization is based on physical, technological, and economic aspects to identify promising systems in advance. Efficient synthesis is based on heterogeneous nonequilibrium states to scan the most interesting part of the phase diagram of one alloy system by one sample. An efficient analysis is based on the characteristic domain structure of hard magnetic phases to evaluate the magnetic properties and industrial relevance of the novel phases. The efficiency of the elaborate concept is demonstrated for the well-known ternary system Fe-Nd-B and then applied to discover novel phases for permanent magnets.

Signal upconversion by sum frequency generation is presented as a tool for fast, low-noise sensing of infrared radiation. Methane detection is demonstrated for laser-based and thermal illumination. Applicability towards further laser-based detection methods is considered.

Laser spectroscopy is a powerful tool for analyzing small molecules, i.e. in the gas phase. In the mid-infrared spectral region quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) have been established as the most frequently used laser radiation source. Spectroscopy of larger molecules in the gas phase, of complex mixtures, and analysis in the liquid phase requires a broader tuning range and is thus still the domain of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. However, the development of tunable external cavity (EC) QCLs is starting to change this situation. The main advantage of QCLs is their high spectral emission power that is enhanced by a factor of 10(4) compared with thermal light sources. Obviously, transmission measurements with EC-QCLs in strongly absorbing samples are feasible, which can hardly be measured by FTIR due to detector noise limitations. We show that the high power of EC-QCLs facilitates spectroscopy beyond simple absorption measurements. Starting from QCL experiments with liquid samples, we show results of fiber evanescent field analysis (FEFA) to detect pesticides in drinking water. FEFA is a special case of attenuated total reflection spectroscopy. Furthermore, powerful CW EC-QCLs enable fast vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy of chiral molecules in the liquid phase - a technique which is very time consuming with standard FTIR equipment. We present results obtained for the chiral compound 1,1'-bi-2-naphthol (BINOL). Finally, powerful CW EC-QCLs enable the application of laser photothermal emission spectroscopy (LPTES). We demonstrate this for a narrowband and broadband absorber in the gas phase. All three techniques have great potential for MIR process analytical applications.

Sensitive and fast identification of drugs or drug precursors is important and necessary in scenarios like baggage or container check by customs or police. Fraunhofer IPM is developing a laser spectrometer using external cavity quantum cascade lasers (EC-QCL) to obtain mid-infrared (IR) absorption spectra in the wavelength range of the specific vibrational bands of amphetamines and their precursors. The commercial EC-QCL covers a tuning range of about 225 cm -1 within 1.4 s. The system could be used for different sample types like bulk samples or liquid solutions. A sampling unit evaporates the sample. Because of small sample amounts a 3 m long hollow fiber with an inner volume smaller than 1ml is used as gas cell and wave guide for the laser beam. This setup is suitable as a detector of a gas chromatograph instead of a standard detector (TCD or FID). The advantage is the selective identification of drugs by their IR spectra in addition to the retention time in the gas chromatographic column. In comparison to Fourier Transform IR systems the EC-QCL setup shows a good mechanical robustness and has the advantage of a point light source. Because of the good fiber incoupling performance of the EC-QCL it is possible to use hollow fibers. So, a good absorption signal is achieved because of the long optical path in the small cell volume without significant dilution. In first laboratory experiments a detection limit in the microgram range for pseudo ephedrine is achieved.

Sensitive and fast detection of explosives remains a challenge in many threat scenarios. Fraunhofer IPM works on two different detection methods using mid-infrared absorption spectroscopy in combination with quantum cascade lasers (QCL). 1. stand-off detection for a spatial distance of several meters and 2. contactless extractive sampling for short distance applications. The extractive method is based on a hollow fiber that works as gas cell and optical waveguide for the QCL light. The samples are membranes contaminated with the explosives and real background. The low vapor pressure of TNT requires a thermal desorbtion to introduce gaseous TNT and TATP into the heated fiber. The advantage of the hollow fiber setup is the resulting small sample volume. This enables a fast gas exchange rate and fast detection in the second range. The presented measurement setup achieves a detection limit of around 58 ng TNT and 26 ng TATP for 1 m hollow fiber. TATP - an explosive with a very high vapor pressure in comparison to TNT or other explosives - shows potential for an adequate concentration in gas phase under normal ambient conditions and thus the possibility of an explosive detection using open path absorption of TATP at 8 μm wavelength. In order to lower the cross sensitivities or interferents with substances with an absorption in the wavelength range of the TATP absorption the probe volume is checked synchronously by a second QCL emitting beside the target absorption wavelength. In laboratory measurements a detection limit of 5 ppm*m TATP are achieved.

We present an overview of the current status of laser diodes used in remote sensing application including novel laser types such as single mode emitting DFB lasers operating at wavelengths up to 3 μm and quantum cascade lasers for mid infrared absorption spectroscopy. In particular we will focus on applications of these devices in the frame of safeguard measures and home security.

The environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) offers improved capabilities for coupling a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with an in situ laser device compared with conventional SEMs. Such coupling generally enables, for example, the observation of laser glazing effects or high-temperature behaviour as well as thermal shock behaviour of materials and devices. In an ESEM, decomposition caused by high-temperature gas reactions can additionally be studied while monitoring the gaseous environment online with a mass spectrometer attached to the specimen chamber. In this work, we demonstrate the capabilities of an in situ laser system suitable for heating specimen in an in situ deformation stage, thus enabling the further study of the mechanical properties of materials far beyond temperatures accomplished by thermal heating stages.