@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} } @article{PangerlSukulRuecketal., author = {Pangerl, Jonas and Sukul, Pritam and R{\"u}ck, Thomas and Fuchs, Patricia and Weigl, Stefan and Miekisch, Wolfram and Bierl, Rudolf and Matysik, Frank-Michael}, title = {An inexpensive UV-LED photoacoustic based real-time sensor-system detecting exhaled trace-acetone}, series = {Photoacoustics}, volume = {38}, journal = {Photoacoustics}, publisher = {Elsevier}, issn = {2213-5979}, doi = {10.1016/j.pacs.2024.100604}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:898-opus4-71279}, pages = {12}, abstract = {n this research we present a low-cost system for breath acetone analysis based on UV-LED photoacoustic spectroscopy. We considered the end-tidal phase of exhalation, which represents the systemic concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) - providing clinically relevant information about the human health. This is achieved via the development of a CO2-triggered breath sampling system, which collected alveolar breath over several minutes in sterile and inert containers. A real-time mass spectrometer is coupled to serve as a reference device for calibration measurements and subsequent breath analysis. The new sensor system provided a 3σ detection limit of 8.3 ppbV and an NNEA of 1.4E-9 Wcm 1Hz 0.5. In terms of the performed breath analysis measurements, 12 out of 13 fell within the error margin of the photoacoustic measurement system, demonstrating the reliability of the measurements in the field.}, language = {en} } @article{EscherRueckJobstetal., author = {Escher, Lukas and R{\"u}ck, Thomas and Jobst, Simon and Pangerl, Jonas and Bierl, Rudolf and Matysik, Frank-Michael}, title = {Photodissociation-Driven Photoacoustic Spectroscopy with UV-LEDs for Ozone Detection}, series = {Photoacoustics}, volume = {43}, journal = {Photoacoustics}, publisher = {Elsevier BV}, issn = {2213-5979}, doi = {10.1016/j.pacs.2025.100718}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:898-opus4-80076}, pages = {16}, abstract = {This study presents the development and evaluation of a UV-LED based photoacoustic (PA) measurement system for ozone (O3) detection to demonstrate its potential for low-cost and accurate sensing while for the first time addressing the importance of photodissociation for PA signal generation for O3 in the UV range. With a detection limit of 7.9 ppbV, the system exhibits a significant advancement over state-of-the-art UV-PA O3 detection and is on par with laser-based setups. Following a novel discussion of the PA signal arising from photodissociation and its products, cross-sensitivity effects due to environmental factors such as temperature and gas composition were systematically analyzed. A digital twin driven compensation for these influences was implemented and evaluated. Despite the challenges associated with modeling the effects of H2O and CO2, the PA system shows considerable potential, though further studies in real world applications must be conducted.}, language = {en} } @article{WeiglFeldmeierBierletal., author = {Weigl, Stefan and Feldmeier, Florian and Bierl, Rudolf and Matysik, Frank-Michael}, title = {Photoacoustic detection of acetone in N2 and synthetic air using a high power UV LED}, series = {Sensors Actuators B Chemical}, volume = {316}, journal = {Sensors Actuators B Chemical}, number = {August}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.snb.2020.128109}, pages = {1 -- 11}, abstract = {The performance of a photoacoustic trace gas sensor for the detection of acetone in N2 and synthetic air is reported. The sensor system utilises an amplitude modulated UV LED. The light source has an emission maximum at 278 nm and a maximum CW output power of 300 mW according to the datasheet. Three different collimating and focusing approaches have been investigated to guide the highly divergent LED light into the acoustic resonator of the photoacoustic measurement cell. A 3D printed aluminium cell was designed to optimize light coupling by simultaneously minimizing the photoacoustic background signal generation. Hence, the diameter of the resonator was set to a comparable large diameter of 10 mm and the inner walls of the resonator were mirror polished. The additive manufacturing procedure allowed for integration of a spirally formed gas channel, enabling gas heating prior to detection. The sensor performance was investigated by measuring acetone in N2 and synthetic air at different concentrations. The UV LED current was set to 86 \% of the maximum value according to the datasheet of the light source in order to increase the lifetime and thermal stability. An Allan-Werle deviation analysis validates a stable sensor performance. The limit of detection (LoD) was determined at a 3σ noise level with a 10 s lock-in amplifier time constant by sampling data points over 20 s with a data acquisition rate of 5 Hz. LoDs of 80.8 ppbV and 19.6 ppbV were obtained for acetone in N2 and synthetic air, respectively.}, language = {en} } @article{WeiglWittmannRuecketal., author = {Weigl, Stefan and Wittmann, Elisabeth and R{\"u}ck, Thomas and Bierl, Rudolf and Matysik, Frank-Michael}, title = {Effects of ambient parameters and cross-sensitivities from O2, CO2 and H2O on the photoacoustic detection of acetone in the UV region}, series = {Sensors Actuators B Chemical}, journal = {Sensors Actuators B Chemical}, number = {328}, publisher = {Elsevier}, issn = {0925-4005}, doi = {10.1016/j.snb.2020.129001}, abstract = {We present a sensitive UV LED photoacoustic setup for the detection of gaseous acetone and discuss its applicability towards breath analysis. We investigated the performance of the sensor for low acetone concentrations down to 0.1 parts per million (ppmV). The influences of temperature, flow, pressure, optical power and LED duty cycle on the measured signal have been examined. To gain a better understanding of the different effects on the photoacoustic signal, correlation analysis was applied and feature importance was determined using a large measured dataset. Furthermore, the cross-sensitivities towards O2, CO2 and H2O have been studied extensively. Finally, the sensor's performance to detect acetone between 0.1-1 ppmV within gas mixtures simulating breath exhale conditions has been investigated, too. With a limit of detection (LoD) of 12.5 parts per billion (ppbV) (3σ) measured under typical breath exhale gas mixture conditions, the sensor demonstrated a high potential for the application of acetone detection in human breath analysis.}, 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} } @article{PangerlSukulRuecketal., author = {Pangerl, Jonas and Sukul, Pritam and R{\"u}ck, Thomas and Escher, Lukas and Miekisch, Wolfram and Bierl, Rudolf and Matysik, Frank-Michael}, title = {Photoacoustic trace-analysis of breath isoprene and acetone via interband- and Quantum Cascade Lasers}, series = {Sensors and Actuators: B. Chemical}, volume = {424}, journal = {Sensors and Actuators: B. Chemical}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.snb.2024.136886}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:898-opus4-77024}, pages = {12}, abstract = {This research presents two laser-based photoacoustic approaches for analyzing exhaled breath isoprene and acetone. The integration of a PTR-ToF-MS as a reference device ensured the reliability and accuracy of the photoacoustic systems that is based on an ICL for isoprene and a QCL for acetone detection. The calibration yielded limits of detection of 26.9 ppbV and 1.7 ppbV, respectively, and corresponding normalized noise equivalent absorption coefficients (NNEAs) of 5.0E-9 Wcm 1Hz 0.5 and 4.9E-9 Wcm 1Hz 0.5. Laboratory as well as real breath sample measurements from alveolar breath revealed a robust system performance, with only one outlier within the static isoprene measurements. However, discrepancies emerged under dynamic breath sampling conditions, emphasizing the need for further optimization. Especially by knowing the dynamic nature and endogenous origin of exhaled isoprene our findings highlight the potential of breath analysis for non-invasive physio-metabolic and pathophysiological monitoring towards point-of-care devices}, 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} } @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} }