Abstract

A significant issue in urban air quality is the ability to measure particular trace and pollutant gases in real time with high sensitivity and specificity. One such species is H₂CO that although at low concentrations of 2-20 ppb, is a precursor to atmospheric ozone production. H₂CO is produced by the photochemical breakdown of volatile organic carbon molecules and can also be a byproduct from incomplete combustion processes.

© 2000 Optical Society of America