Patent ID: 6075252
Filing Date: 2000-06-13
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A gas detection system for detecting the presence of a specific concentration of gaseous species in a gas sample within a calibrated range, said gaseous species absorbing light within at least one single band of consecutive wavelengths, said system comprising:(a) an ILS laser comprising:(i) a laser cavity; and(ii) a gain medium,said ILS laser having at least one measurable temporal characteristic where said gaseous species is absorbing and said absorption induced by said gaseous species is large enough to measurably change the temporal characteristic of the laser within a calibrated range;(b) a container for containing said gas sample in said laser cavity, said container allowing an output beam emanating from said gain medium to pass through said gas sample prior to exiting said laser cavity; and(c) a detector having a temporal bandwidth sufficient to measure said temporal characteristic.