Cavity Enhanced LED-Induced Fluorescence Detection of Nitrogen Dioxide

We propose to create an induced fluorescence-based monitor for the detection of nitrogen dioxide where the light source is a light emitting diode. Sensitivity of such a device will be greatly enhanced by the use of a high finesse optical cavity formed by two very high reflectivity mirrors which provide for many passes of the light emitted by the LED. The goal is to provide a monitor capable of measuring concentrations from to 10 parts per trillion to 1 part per million with 1 second sampling using proprietary CAPS-based technology. A major advantage of such an approach is that it provides a true measurement of NO2 rather than one derived from chemical manipulation in a highly robust, easy to use package.
Benefits: The development of such monitor could be deployed by NASA for measurement of NO2 concentrations in the free troposphere or lower stratosphere either on both ground-based and aerial platforms. It would replace current measurement systems such as very expensive and difficult to use infrared laser-based absorption monitors or complex and difficult to maintain chemiluminescence-based monitors. The development of such a monitor would be embraced by the non-NASA government and academic research community for the measurement of trace levels of nitrogen dioxide, a criteria pollutant. It could also readily be incorporated into a complete NOx monitor which would measure both NO2 and total NOx.