Diode Laser Detection of Greenhouse Gases in the Near-Infrared Region by Wavelength Modulation Spectroscopy: Pressure Dependence of the Detection Sensitivity.

We have investigated the pressure dependence of the detection sensitivity of CO₂, N₂O and CH₄ using wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) with distributed feed-back diode lasers in the near infrared region. The spectral line shapes and the background noise of the second harmonics (2f) detection of the WMS were analyzed theoretically. We determined the optimum pressure conditions in the detection of CO₂, N₂O and CH₄, by taking into consideration the background noise in the WMS. At the optimum total pressure for the detection of CO₂, N₂O and CH₄, the limits of detection in the present system were determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]