Near-IR diode laser-based sensor for remote sensing of methane leakage

A tunable diode laser-based sensor for remote sensing of methane (CH4) leakage at a wavelength of 1.65 µm was developed. The 1.65 µm distributed feedback (DFB) diode laser has a narrow line width and a wide tuning range. It was found that the sensor can detect a 10 cm 3 min –1 city-gas leak with a sensor output equivalent to the range-integrated concentration over 100 ppm·m.