Abstract

The rapid improvements in room-temperature diode laser technology for communications and data storage applications has given rise to a entirely new class of potential optical sensors for species composition and gasdynamic parameter measurements. These sensors are finding widespread application to chemical processing, environmental monitoring, and, increasingly, aerodynamic and propulsion needs. High quality devices are now commercially available in a number of discrete spectral windows between 630 nm and 2.0 μm. For aerodynamic and propulsion applications, most activity to date has focussed on O₂-based measurements using 763 nm AlGaAs lasers and H₂O-based measurements using 1.31 to 1.39 μm InGaAsP lasers. These devices are characterized by a rapid time response, extreme sensitivity, and opto-mechanical robustness consistent with practical industrial installations.

© 1998 Optical Society of America