Towards an Optogalvanic Trace Gas Sensor Based on Rydberg Excitation

ORAL

Abstract

We demonstrate the applicability of a new kind of gas sensor employing state of the art continuous wave lasers and current detection in a trace gas sensor prototype. From an unknown mixture of gas the molecule in question is excited to a Rydberg state and subsequently ionized by collisions with all other gas components. The emerging charges can be measured as a current which is then a 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]. For a real life application we employ our gas sensing scheme to nitric oxide at thermal temperatures and atmospheric pressure [3]. We report three photon continuous wave laser excitation of nitric oxide to high lying Rydberg states and its conversion into a detectable current in the nA regime.

[1] D. Barredo, et. al., Phys. Rev. Lett 110, 123002 (2013)

[2] J. Schmidt, et. al., SPIE 10674 (2018)

[3] J. Schmidt, et. al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 113, 011113 (2018)

*This work is supported by EU.H2020.macQsimal ID:820393.

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Publication: [1] D. Barredo, et. al., Phys. Rev. Lett 110, 123002 (2013)
[2] J. Schmidt, et. al., SPIE 10674 (2018)
[3] J. Schmidt, et. al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 113, 011113 (2018)

Presenters

  • Patrick Kaspar

    • 5th Institute of Physics, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany

Authors

  • Patrick Kaspar

    • 5th Institute of Physics, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany

  • Fabian Munkes

    • 5th Institute of Physics, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany

  • Yannick Schellander

    • 5th Institute of Physics, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany

  • Joshua Fabian

    • 5th Institute of Physics, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany

  • Malte Kasten

    • 5th Institute of Physics, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany

  • Luana Rubino

    • 5th Institute of Physics, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany

  • Denis Djekic

    • Institute of Smart Sensors, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 47, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany

  • Patrick Schalberger

    • Institute for Large Area Microelectronics, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 3b, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany

  • Holger Baur

    • Institute for Large Area Microelectronics, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 3b, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany

  • Robert Loew

    • 5. Physikalisches Institut and Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology, Universität Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
    • University of Stuttgart
    • 5th Institute of Physics, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany

  • Tilman Pfau

    • 5. Physikalisches Institut and Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology, Universität Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
    • 5. Physikalisches Institut and Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology, Universität Stuttgart
    • University of Stuttgart
    • 5th Institute of Physics, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany

  • Jens Anders

    • Institute of Smart Sensors, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 47, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany

  • Norbert Frühauf

    • Institute for Large Area Microelectronics, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 3b, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany

  • Edward R Grant

    • Department of Chemistry and Department of Physics & Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 1Z1 Vancouver, Canada

  • Harald Kuebler

    • 5th Institute of Physics, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany