Acetylene Detection (C2H2)
Application areas of laser-based acetylene detection

nanoplus lasers for acetylene detection are used for various applications including:
- Process Optimization: Quality control
- Health: Breath gas analysis
- Safety: Explosion prevention
Tunable diode laser spectroscopy allows measuring C2H2 with up to ppb precision in real time and in situ. Providing long-term stability and requiring little maintenance, nanoplus lasers are suitable for operation in harsh environments.
Standard wavelengths for acetylene detection
nanoplus offers various wavelengths to target the vibrational-rotational bands of acetylene. Literature recommends the following wavelengths for acetylene detection:
Select your wavelength for acetylene detection
Above wavelengths as well as further customized wavelengths for acetylene detection are available from nanoplus.
When you choose your wavelength, you have to consider your product set up, environment and nature of the measurement.
These factors influence the optimum wavelength for your application. Do have a look at the Hitran Database to further evaluate your choice of wavelengths. Our application experts are equally happy to discuss with you the most suitable wavelength for your application.
Let us know the wavelength you require with an accuracy of 0.1 nm!
Related information for laser-based acetylene detection
Specifications & Mountings
Applications
Papers & Links
The following tables analyse the typical specifications of the standard wavelengths for C2H2 detection.
electro-optical properties of 1520.0 nm DFB laser diode | symbol | unit | minimum | typical | maximum |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
standard wavelength | λ | nm | 1520.0 | ||
absorption line strength | S | cm / mol | ∼ 1 x 10-20 | ||
output power | pout | mW | 5 | 7 | 10 |
threshold current | lth | mA | 10 | 20 | 30 |
current tuning coefficient | cT | nm / mA | 0.008 | 0.02 | 0.03 |
temperature tuning coefficient | cI | nm / K | 0.07 | 0.1 | 0.14 |
mode hop free tuning range | Δλ | nm | +/- 0.5 | +/- 0.7 | +/- 1 |
electro-optical properties of 3030.0 nm DFB interband cascade laser | symbol | unit | minimum | typical | maximum |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
standard wavelength | λ | nm | 3030.0 | ||
absorption line strength | S | cm / mol | ∼ 2 x 10-19 | ||
output power | pout | mW | > 5 | ||
threshold current | lth | mA | 20 | 30 | 50 |
current tuning coefficient | cT | nm / mA | 0.10 | ||
temperature tuning coefficient | cI | nm / K | 0.35 | ||
mode hop free tuning range | Δλ | nm | +/- 0.5 |
mounting options / technical drawings | wavelength | TEC | cap with window | AR cap with AR window | fiber | heatsink | collimation | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TO5.6 | 760 nm - 3000 nm | NA | ✔ | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
TO5 | 760 nm - 3000 nm | ✔ | NA | ✔ | NA | ✔ | ✔ | |
TO66 | 3000 nm - 6000 nm | ✔ | NA | ✔ | NA | ✔ | ✔ | |
c-mount | 760 nm - 3000 nm | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
SM-BTF | 760 nm - 2360 nm | ✔ | NA | NA | single mode | NA | NA | |
PM-BTF | 1064 nm - 2050 nm | ✔ | NA | NA | polarization maintaining | NA | NA |
Please find below a number of application samples.
Quality control of ethylene production in petro-chemical industry: C2H2
Acetylene is a by-product in the cracking process of ethylene production. The petrochemical industry minimizes the compound via hydrogenation. This process enhances the purity and quality of the manufactured ethylene. [2, 7]
Monitoring of breath gas: C2H6 and C2H2
Medical breath analysis considers ethane and acetylene as a biomarkers for asthma, schizophrenia or lung cancer. The research field of breath analysis uses methane as a biomarker for intestinal problems. [10]
Explosion prevention:
Acetylene (C2H2) is used for gas welding, because the flame is easily adjustable. At the same time, acetylene is highly explosive when it mixes with oxygen or when there is a sudden change in pressure or temperature. Even at relatively low temperatures, like 306°, a little electric spark is sufficient to cause an explosion. For workers' safety the acetylene concentration has to be continuously monitored.
Please find below a selection of related papers from our literature list.
Let us know if you published a paper with our lasers. We will be happy to include it in our literature list.
#2 Advanced Gas Sensing Applications Above 3 µm with DFB Laser Diodes;
L. Naehle, L. Hildebrandt, M. Fischer, J. Koeth, Gases & Instrumentation, March/April 2012, pp. 25-28.
#5 DFB lasers exceeding 3 µm for industrial applications;
L. Naehle, L. Hildebrandt, Laser+Photonics 2012, pp. 78-80.
#7 DFB laser diodes expand hydrocarbon sensing beyond 3 µm;
L. Hildebrandt, L. Naehle, Laser Focus World, January 2012, pp. 87-90.
#8 ICLs open opportuneties for mid-IR seinsing;
L. Naehle, L. Hildebrandt, M. Kamp, S. Hoefling, Laser Focus World, May 2013, pp. 70-73.
#9 DFB Lasers Between 760 nm and 16 µm for Sensing Applications;
W. Zeller, L. Naehle, P. Fuchs, F. Gerschuetz, L. Hildebrandt, J. Koeth, Sensors 2010, 10, pp. 2492-2510.
#13 Continuous-wave operation of type-I quantum well DFB laser diodes emitting in 3.4 µm wavelength range around room temperature;
L. Naehle, S. Belahsene, M. von Edlinger, M. Fischer, G. Boissier, P. Grech, G. Narcy, A. Vicet, Y. Rouillard, J. Koeth and L. Worschech, Electron. Lett. 47, 1, Jan 2011, pp. 46-47.
#36 Single mode interband cascade lasers based on lateral metal gratings;
R. Weih, L. Naehle, Sven Hoefling, J. Koeth, M. Kamp, Appl. Phys. Lett., 105, 7, 2014, pp. 071111.
#74 Laser absorption diagnostic for measuring acetylene concentrations in shock tubes;
I. Stranic, R. K. Hanson, J. of Quant. Spectrosc. and Rad. Transfer, 142, July 2014, pp. 58-65
#150 Extraordinary evanescent field confinement waveguide sensor for mid-infrared trace gas spectroscopy;
M. Vlk, A. Datta, S. Alberti, H. D. Yallew, V. Mittal, G. S. Murugan, J. Jagerska, Light Sci. Appl., Vol. 10, Art. 26, 2021.