Mid-infrared laser-based sensors for environmental monitoring applications

Laser-based sensors have found applications in significant fields such as environmental monitoring. Local pollutants, such as chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHCs) and Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are hazardous and harmful to human health and the environment. Here, we demonstrate a simultaneous detection of benzene C6H6, water H2O, and carbon dioxide CO2. Our sensor is based on a widely tunable difference-frequency generation laser emitting in the mid-infrared spectral range between 11.56 and 15µm.