On gas detection and concentration estimation via mid-IR-based gas detection system analysis model

In recent decades, Laser-based spectroscopy (LAS) has been used in a wide range of research and application fields due to developments in laser technology and infrared spectroscopy. A particular application of interest is mid-IR laser-based gas detection systems for health and environment assessment. In this paper, we use our statistical analysis model for a generic mid-IR pulsed-laser gas detection system to predict trace gas detection and concentration estimation performance, and their sensitivity to system parameters. Based on PNNL data and the Beer-Lambert law, we use the three main spectral peaks of a trace gas, as the basis for gas detection, and use the relationship between gas transmittance β, molar absorptivity ε, concentration, and the sample-mean measurement, x_N, from the photodetector, as the basis for concentration estimation using a standard confidence interval method.