@incollection{WeiglMuellerPangerletal., author = {Weigl, Stefan and M{\"u}ller, Max and Pangerl, Jonas and R{\"u}ck, Thomas}, title = {Scopes and Limits of Photoacoustic Spectroscopy in Modern Breath Analysis}, series = {Breath Analysis}, booktitle = {Breath Analysis}, publisher = {Springer nature}, isbn = {978-3-031-18526-7}, doi = {10.1007/11663_2022_22}, pages = {101 -- 159}, abstract = {Photoacoustic spectroscopy is a viable tool for trace gas detection in various application fields. In recent years, this technique has been exploited more and more for modern breath analysis as well. Within this chapter, a holistic overview of photoacoustic spectroscopy is presented, while maintaining the relationship to breath analysis. Therefore, a concise description of the fundamentals of photoacoustic spectroscopy is provided. This is essential for understanding the scopes and limits of this outstanding measurement technique being described within this chapter. In the past several different types of photoacoustic measurement setups for trace gas detection have emerged, including different light sources, modulation techniques, and detection schemes. These are described shortly and advantages as well as disadvantages, especially in relation to breath analysis, are highlighted. Though being a promising sensor principle, measurement devices based on photoacoustic spectroscopy are still rare on the sensor market, especially when it comes to trace gas detection in complex gas matrices, e.g., human breath exhale. One main reason is due to possible molecular interactions influencing the relaxational behavior of the analyte altering the sensor signal. Recent results shedding light on the intricate relaxational processes within complex gas matrices are discussed in detail, providing approaches to overcome this issue. Finally, various applications of photoacoustic spectroscopy in breath analysis are described demonstrating the great potential of this technology.}, language = {en} } @article{RueckPangerlEscheretal., author = {R{\"u}ck, Thomas and Pangerl, Jonas and Escher, Lukas and Jobst, Simon and M{\"u}ller, Max and Bierl, Rudolf and Matysik, Frank-Michael}, title = {Kinetic cooling in mid-infrared methane photoacoustic spectroscopy: A quantitative analysis via digital twin verification}, series = {Photoacoustics}, volume = {40}, journal = {Photoacoustics}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.pacs.2024.100652}, abstract = {This study presents a detailed quantitative analysis of kinetic cooling in methane photoacoustic spectroscopy, leveraging the capabilities of a digital twin model. Using a quantum cascade laser tuned to 1210.01 cm⁻¹, we investigated the effects of varying nitrogen-oxygen matrix compositions on the photoacoustic signals of 15 ppmV methane. Notably, the photoacoustic signal amplitude decreased with increasing oxygen concentration, even falling below the background signal at oxygen levels higher than approximately 6 \%V. This phenomenon was attributed to kinetic cooling, where thermal energy is extracted from the surrounding gas molecules rather than added, as validated by complex vector analysis using a previously published digital twin model. The model accurately reproduced complex signal patterns through simulations, providing insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms by quantifying individual collision contributions. These findings underscore the importance of digital twins in understanding the fundamentals of photoacoustic signal generation at the molecular level.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{PangerlWittmannWeigletal., author = {Pangerl, Jonas and Wittmann, Elisabeth and Weigl, Stefan and M{\"u}ller, Max and Bierl, Rudolf and Matysik, Frank-Michael}, title = {Using a Modulated Quantum Cascade Laser for Photoacoustic Spectra Recording of Exhaled Acetone and Main Breath Components}, series = {Optical Sensors and Sensing Congress 2022 (AIS, LACSEA, Sensors, ES)}, booktitle = {Optical Sensors and Sensing Congress 2022 (AIS, LACSEA, Sensors, ES)}, publisher = {Optica Publishing Group}, doi = {10.1364/AIS.2022.ATu3G.1}, abstract = {Photoacoustic spectra of main breath components together with acetone are presented demonstrating spectral linearity towards different concentrations and compositions. The acetone 3σ detection limit at 1209 cm-1 is 0.28 ppbV}, language = {en} } @article{MuellerWeiglMuellerWilliamsetal., author = {M{\"u}ller, Max and Weigl, Stefan and M{\"u}ller-Williams, Jennifer and Lindauer, Matthias and R{\"u}ck, Thomas and Jobst, Simon and Bierl, Rudolf and Matysik, Frank-Michael}, title = {Comparison of photoacoustic spectroscopy and cavity ring-down spectroscopy for ambient methane monitoring at Hohenpeißenberg}, series = {Atmospheric Measurement Techniques}, volume = {16}, journal = {Atmospheric Measurement Techniques}, number = {18}, publisher = {Copernicus Publications}, issn = {1867-8548}, doi = {10.5194/amt-16-4263-2023}, pages = {4263 -- 4270}, abstract = {With an atmospheric concentration of approximately 2000 parts per billion (ppbV, 10-9), methane (CH4) is the second most abundant greenhouse gas (GHG) in the atmosphere after carbon dioxide (CO2). The task of long-term and spatially resolved GHG monitoring to verify whether climate policy actions are effective is becoming more crucial as climate change progresses. In this paper we report the CH4 concentration readings of our photoacoustic (PA) sensor over a 5 d period at Hohenpeißenberg, Germany. As a reference device, a calibrated cavity ring-down spectrometer, Picarro G2301, from the meteorological observatory of the German Weather Service (DWD) was employed. Trace gas measurements with photoacoustic instruments promise to provide low detection limits at comparably low costs. However, PA devices are often susceptible to cross-sensitivities related to fluctuating environmental conditions, e.g. ambient humidity. The obtained results show that for PA sensor systems non-radiative relaxation effects induced by varying humidity are a non-negligible factor. Applying algorithm compensation techniques, which are capable of calculating the influence of non-radiative relaxation effects on the photoacoustic signal, increase the accuracy of the photoacoustic sensor significantly. With an average relative deviation of 1.11 \% from the G2301, the photoacoustic sensor shows good agreement with the reference instrument.}, language = {en} } @unpublished{PangerlMoserMuelleretal., author = {Pangerl, Jonas and Moser, Elisabeth and M{\"u}ller, Max and Weigl, Stefan and Jobst, Simon and R{\"u}ck, Thomas and Bierl, Rudolf and Matysik, Frank-Michael}, title = {A Highly Sensitive Acetone and Ethanol Quantum Cascade Laser Based Photoacoustic Sensor: Characterization and Multi-Component Spectra Recording in Synthetic Breath}, series = {SSRN Electronic Journal}, journal = {SSRN Electronic Journal}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.2139/ssrn.4305376}, abstract = {Trace gas analysis in breath is challenging due to the vast number of different components. We present a highly sensitive quantum cascade laser based photoacoustic setup for breath analysis. Scanning the range between 8260 and 8270 nm with a spectral resolution of 48 pm, we are able to quantify acetone and ethanol within a typical breath matrix containing water and CO2. We photoacoustically acquired spectra within this region of mid-infra-red light and prove that those spectra do not suffer from non-spectral interferences. The purely additive behavior of a breath sample spectrum was verified by comparing it with the independently acquired single component spectra using Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients. A previously presented simulation approach is improved and an error attribution study is presented. With a 3σ detection limit of 6.5 ppbV in terms of ethanol and 250 pptV regarding acetone, our system is among the best performing presented so far.}, language = {en} } @unpublished{MuellerWeiglMuellerWilliamsetal., author = {M{\"u}ller, Max and Weigl, Stefan and M{\"u}ller-Williams, Jennifer and Lindauer, Matthias and R{\"u}ck, Thomas and Jobst, Simon and Bierl, Rudolf and Matysik, Frank-Michael}, title = {Ambient methane monitoring at Hohenpeißenberg utilizing photoacoustic spectroscopy and cavity ring down spectroscopy}, doi = {10.5194/egusphere-2023-1010}, abstract = {With an atmospheric concentration of approximately 2000 parts per billion (ppbV, 10-9) methane (CH4) is the second most abundant greenhouse gas (GHG) in the atmosphere after carbon dioxide (CO2). The task of long-term and spatially resolved GHG monitoring to verify whether climate policy actions are effective, is becoming more crucial as climate change progresses. In this paper we report the CH4 concentration readings of our photoacoustic (PA) sensor over a five day period at Hohenpeißenberg, Germany. As a reference device a calibrated cavity ringdown spectrometer Picarro G2301 from the meteorological observatory was employed. Trace gas measurements with photoacoustic instruments promise to provide low detection limits at comparably low costs. However, PA devices are often susceptible to cross-sensitivities related to environmental influences. The obtained results show that relaxation effects due to fluctuating environmental conditions, e.g. ambient humidity, are a non-negligible factor in PA sensor systems. Applying algorithm compensation techniques, which are capable of calculating the influence of relaxational effects on the photoacoustic signal, increase the accuracy of the photoacoustic sensor significantly. With an average relative deviation of 1.11 \% from the G2301, the photoacoustic sensor shows good agreement with the reference instrument.}, language = {en} } @article{PangerlMoserMuelleretal., author = {Pangerl, Jonas and Moser, Elisabeth and M{\"u}ller, Max and Weigl, Stefan and Jobst, Simon and R{\"u}ck, Thomas and Bierl, Rudolf and Matysik, Frank-Michael}, title = {A sub-ppbv-level Acetone and Ethanol Quantum Cascade Laser Based Photoacoustic Sensor- Characterization and Multi-Component Spectra Recording in Synthetic Breath}, series = {Photoacoustics}, volume = {30}, journal = {Photoacoustics}, publisher = {Elsevier}, issn = {2213-5979}, doi = {10.1016/j.pacs.2023.100473}, pages = {1 -- 12}, abstract = {Trace gas analysis in breath is challenging due to the vast number of different components. We present a highly sensitive quantum cascade laser based photoacoustic setup for breath analysis. Scanning the range between 8263 and 8270 nm with a spectral resolution of 48 pm, we are able to quantify acetone and ethanol within a typical breath matrix containing water and CO2. We photoacoustically acquired spectra within this region of mid-infra-red light and prove that those spectra do not suffer from non-spectral interferences. The purely additive behavior of a breath sample spectrum was verified by comparing it with the independently acquired single component spectra using Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients. A previously presented simulation approach is improved and an error attribution study is presented. With a 3σ detection limit of 6.5 ppbv in terms of ethanol and 250 pptv regarding acetone, our system is among the best performing presented so far.}, language = {en} } @article{RueckMuellerJobstetal., author = {R{\"u}ck, Thomas and M{\"u}ller, Max and Jobst, Simon and Weigl, Stefan and Pangerl, Jonas and Bierl, Rudolf and Matysik, Frank-Michael}, title = {Digital Twin of a Photoacoustic Trace Gas Sensor for Monitoring Methane in Complex Gas Compositions}, series = {Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical}, journal = {Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical}, number = {378}, doi = {10.1016/j.snb.2022.133119}, abstract = {The digitalization of industrial processes requires smart sensor systems. Photoacoustic spectroscopy is well suited for this purpose as it allows for small-sized and low-cost trace gas analysis. However, the method is susceptible to changes in measurement conditions and standard calibration routines often fail to correct for all changes. We therefore created a Digital Twin (DT) of a photoacoustic trace gas sensor for methane and evaluated it regarding variations in gas composition (CH4, N2, O2, CO2, H2O), temperature and pressure. With a mean absolute percentage error of 0.8 \% the accuracy of the sensor after DT compensation significantly exceeds the 24 \% achieved based on standard calibration in nitrogen. For the first time, we can fully analytically compute the photoacoustic signal under moderate ambient conditions with an error in the ppbV range by taking a holistic approach. Assuming knowledge of the underlying energy transfer processes, the model of this Digital Twin can be adapted to any microphone based photoacoustic sensor for monitoring any analyte species.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{EscherMuellerRuecketal., author = {Escher, Lukas and M{\"u}ller, Max and R{\"u}ck, Thomas and Jobst, Simon and Bierl, Rudolf}, title = {Digitaler Zwilling photoakustischer Spurengassensoren zur Prozess{\"u}berwachung}, series = {16. Dresdner Sensor-Symposium 2022: Vortr{\"a}ge}, booktitle = {16. Dresdner Sensor-Symposium 2022: Vortr{\"a}ge}, publisher = {AMA (Association for Sensors + Measurement)}, isbn = {978-3-9819376-7-1}, doi = {10.5162/16dss2022/3.3}, abstract = {Stickstoffdioxid (NO2) wird haupts{\"a}chlich durch anthropogene Verbrennungsprozesse in Verkehr und Industrie in die Umgebungsluft eingebracht [1]. Die stark reaktive, oxidative Wirkung von NO2 kann bei Exposition mit h{\"o}heren Konzentrationen Reizungen und allergische Reaktionen in den Atemwegen hervorrufen. Weiter f{\"u}hrt NO2 zur Bildung von saurem Regen, Smog und Ozon (O3) die sich ebenso negativ auf die menschliche Gesundheit und Umwelt auswirken [2,3]. Aufgrund dieser Effekte wird die Spurengaskonzentration von NO2 in der Luft in Deutschland an ausgew{\"a}hlten, verkehrsreichen Orten gemessen.}, language = {de} } @inproceedings{MuellerRueckJobstetal., author = {M{\"u}ller, Max and R{\"u}ck, Thomas and Jobst, Simon and Pangerl, Jonas and Bierl, Rudolf and Matysik, Frank-Michael}, title = {Creating a Digital Twin of a Photoacoustic Gas Sensor for Methane Detection in Complex Gas Matrices}, series = {Proceedings Optical Sensors and Sensing Congress 2022 (AIS, LACSEA, Sensors, ES): 11-15 July 2022, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada}, booktitle = {Proceedings Optical Sensors and Sensing Congress 2022 (AIS, LACSEA, Sensors, ES): 11-15 July 2022, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada}, publisher = {Optica Publishing Group}, isbn = {978-1-957171-10-4}, doi = {10.1364/LACSEA.2022.LW4D.2}, abstract = {We present the calculation results from a digital twin (DT) of our photoacoustic (PA) sensor for methane detection, regarding gas composition, temperature and pressure variations.}, language = {en} } @unpublished{RueckMuellerJobstetal., author = {R{\"u}ck, Thomas and M{\"u}ller, Max and Jobst, Simon and Weigl, Stefan and Pangerl, Jonas and Bierl, Rudolf and Matysik, Frank-Michael}, title = {Digital Twin of a Photoacoustic Trace Gas Sensor for Monitoring Methane in Complex Gas Compositions}, publisher = {Elsevier / SSRN}, doi = {10.2139/ssrn.4215170}, pages = {22}, abstract = {The digitalization of industrial processes requires smart sensor systems. Photoacoustic spectroscopy is well suited for this purpose as it allows for small-sized and low-cost trace gas analysis. However, the method is susceptible to changes in measurement conditions and standard calibration routines often fail to correct for all changes. We therefore created a Digital Twin (DT) of a photoacoustic trace gas sensor for methane and evaluated it regarding variations in gas composition (CH4, N2, O2, CO2, H2O), temperature and pressure. With a mean absolute percentage error of 0.8 \% the accuracy of the sensor after DT compensation significantly exceeds the 24 \% achieved based on standard calibration in nitrogen. For the first time, we can fully analytically compute the photoacoustic signal under moderate ambient conditions with an error in the ppbV range by taking a holistic approach. Assuming knowledge of the underlying energy transfer processes, the model of this Digital Twin can be adapted to any microphone based photoacoustic sensor for monitoring any analyte species.}, language = {en} } @article{MuellerRueckJobstetal., author = {M{\"u}ller, Max and R{\"u}ck, Thomas and Jobst, Simon and Pangerl, Jonas and Weigl, Stefan and Bierl, Rudolf and Matysik, Frank-Michael}, title = {An Algorithmic Approach to Compute the Effect of Non-Radiative Relaxation Processes in Photoacoustic Spectroscopy}, series = {Photoacoustics}, volume = {26}, journal = {Photoacoustics}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.pacs.2022.100371}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:898-opus4-39935}, abstract = {Successful transfer of photoacoustic gas sensors from laboratory to real-life applications requires knowledge about potential cross-sensitivities towards environmental and gas matrix changes. Multi-dimensional calibration in case of cross-sensitivities can become very complex or even unfeasible. To address this challenge, we present a novel algorithm to compute the collision based non-radiative efficiency and phase lag of energy relaxation on a molecular level (CoNRad) for photoacoustic signal calculation. This algorithmic approach allows to calculate the entire elaxation cascade of arbitrarily complex systems, yielding a theoretical photoacoustic signal. In this work the influence of varying bulk compositions, i.e. nitrogen (N2), oxygen (O2) and water (H2O) on the photoacoustic signal during methane (CH4) detection is demonstrated. The applicability of the algorithm to other photoacoustic setups is shown exemplary by applying it to the relaxational system investigated in [1]. Hayden et al. examined the effect of water on photoacoustic carbon monoxide (CO) detection.}, language = {en} } @article{PangerlMuellerRuecketal., author = {Pangerl, Jonas and M{\"u}ller, Max and R{\"u}ck, Thomas and Weigl, Stefan and Bierl, Rudolf}, title = {Characterizing a sensitive compact mid-infrared photoacoustic sensor for methane, ethane and acetylene detection considering changing ambient parameters and bulk composition (N2, O2 and H2O)}, series = {Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical}, volume = {352,1}, journal = {Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.snb.2021.130962}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:898-opus4-25868}, pages = {1 -- 12}, abstract = {We present a sensitive and compact interband cascade laser (ICL) based photoacoustic setup for the detection of gaseous hydrocarbons and discuss its applicability towards trace gas analysis. We investigated the performance of the sensor for trace concentrations of methane, ethane and acetylene diluted in nitrogen. The excitation of methane and ethane was accomplished using one tunable diode laser, covering a range from 3360 to 3372 nm, which was replaced by a separate ICL at 3025 nm for acetylene detection. The influence of ambient parameters such as temperature, flow rate and pressure as well as potential cross-sensitivities towards O2 and H2O have been examined in terms of methane and acetylene detection. A series of simulations proved several of these influences to be attributed to relaxation effects. With a 3σ limit of detection (LoD) of 6.8 parts per billion (ppbV) in case of methane, 2.3 ppbV regarding ethane and 3.6 ppbV in terms of acetylene, the sensor demonstrates a great potential for applications in the field of trace gas analysis.}, language = {en} }