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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)

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Publication: [1] D. Barredo, et. al., Phys. Rev. Lett 110, 123002 (2013)<br>[2] J. Schmidt, et. al., SPIE 10674 (2018)<br>[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