We present an eight-channel evaluation board for ultrasound sonography and photoacoustic imaging. High frame rates enable averaging, improving signal-to-noise ratio. The board integrates a programmable preamplifier and an analog front-end with 12-bit analog-to-digital conversion, with data transmitted via Ethernet for PC evaluation. Gain distribution and its effect on signal-to-noise ratio in a multichannel photoacoustic receive chain are quantitatively characterized at 540 frames per second.

This article describes a small prototype sensor designed to sense carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels for indoor air quality monitoring. The device uses a photoacoustic detector fabricated using a wafer-bonding process. This allows for high-volume production of the sensors. The prototype presented is small in size and can detect CO₂ levels as low as 81 ppm with a response time of 53 s. Our results show suitability for application in indoor air quality control systems.

Infrared spectroscopy is great for determining the composition of liquids. Combined with attenuated total reflection (ATR), one can just put the sample on the sensitive surface. We made a compact device with a diamond-coated silicon ATR crystal to protect the surface against aggressive fluids. Silicon crystal, light source and detector are hermetically sealed in a housing. Our tests show that the diamond coating enhanced the sensitivity compared to uncoated ATR elements as predicted by theory.

Imaging of greenhouse gases is of great interest due to global warming. A spectroscopic method, using an active illumination of the scene, is presented. It allows for imaging and concentration measurements of much smaller gas plumes and leaks than current state-of-the-art gas cameras (optical gas imaging cameras). A real-time camera is realized and validated using known methane concentrations.

We present a photoacoustic sensor enabling fast, inexpensive, and highly sensitive methane detection in environmental monitoring applications. Six different T-cell designs were both theoretically and experimentally investigated. The aim was to understand the photoacoustic signal generation and resonances in relation to the different cell geometries, and determine the long-term stability and the detection limits for methane. These were below the methane background concentration in air of 1.8 ppm.