An Optogalvanic Flux Sensor for Trace Gases

ORAL

Abstract

We demonstrate the applicability of a new kind of gas sensor based on Rydberg excitations. From a gas mixture the molecule in question is excited to a Rydberg state. By succeeding collisions with all other gas components this molecule becomes ionized and the emerging electron can be measured as a current, which is the clear signature of the presence of this particular molecule. As a first test we excite Alkali Rydberg atoms in an electrically contacted vapor cell [1,2] and demonstrate a detection limit of 100\,ppb to a background of N$_2$. We employ our gas sensing scheme to the detection of nitric oxide at thermal temperatures and atmospheric pressure [3]. We show first results of cw spectroscopy of the A$\,{}^2\Sigma^+\leftarrow\,$X$\,{}^2\Pi_{1/2}$ transition in nitric oxide. [1] D. Barredo, et al., \textit{Phys. Rev. Lett.} \textbf{110}, 123002 (2013) [2] J. Schmidt, et al., SPIE \textbf{10674} (2018) [3] J. Schmidt, et al., \textit{Appl. Phys. Lett.} \textbf{113}, 011113 (2018)

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Authors

  • Fabian Munkes

    • 5th Institute of Physics and Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology, University of Stuttgart

  • Patrick Kaspar

    • 5th Institute of Physics and Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology, University of Stuttgart

  • Yannick Schellander

    • 5th Institute of Physics and Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology, University of Stuttgart

  • Johannes Schmidt

    • 5th Institute of Physics and Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology, University of Stuttgart

  • Robert Loew

    • 5th Institute of Physics and Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology, University of Stuttgart

  • Tilman Pfau

    • 5th Institute of Physics and Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology, University of Stuttgart

  • Harald Kuebler

    • 5th Institute of Physics and Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology, University of Stuttgart

  • Denis Djekic

    • Institute of Smart Sensors and Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology, University of Stuttgart

  • Jens Anders

    • Institute of Smart Sensors and Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology, University of Stuttgart

  • Patrick Schalberger

    • Institute for Large Area Microelectronics and Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology, University of Stuttgart

  • Holger Baur

    • Institute for Large Area Microelectronics and Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology, University of Stuttgart

  • Norbert Fruehauf

    • Institute for Large Area Microelectronics and Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology, University of Stuttgart

  • Edward Grant

    • Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia