Patent ID: 7312452

Claim:
A mobile remote detection device for methane gas accumulations, comprising: an emitter device with a light source to generate light, the wavelength of which is tuned with the spectral signature of methane, wherein the light is directable onto a measuring field; wherein the light source provides a light pulse of a first wavelength corresponding to a methane absorption line and a reference light pulse of a second wavelength outside an absorption line; wherein the interval between the absorption light pulse and the reference light pulse is less than 300 μs; a detection device comprising a detector adapted for detecting backscattered light; and an evaluation device; wherein the light source generates light with a wavelength at which methane absorbs, wherein the wavelength lies between 3200 nm and 3300 nm; wherein the light source comprises an optical parametric oscillator with injection seeding, which is associated with a single pump laser; wherein the pump laser is operable in a double-pulse mode; wherein the device is adapted for assembly on an aircraft; and wherein the optical parametric oscillator is coupled to an optical emitter system by means of a fiber optic light guide.