Implementation of an incoherent broadband cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy technique in an atmospheric simulation chamber for in situ NO<sub>3</sub> monitoring: characterization and validation for kinetic studies

<p>An incoherent broadband cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy (IBBCEAS) technique has been developed for the in situ monitoring of NO<span class="inline-formula"><sub>3</sub></span> radicals at the parts per trillion level in the CSA simulation chamber (a...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: A. Fouqueau, M. Cirtog, M. Cazaunau, E. Pangui, P. Zapf, G. Siour, X. Landsheere, G. Méjean, D. Romanini, B. Picquet-Varrault
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2020-11-01
Series:Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
Online Access:https://amt.copernicus.org/articles/13/6311/2020/amt-13-6311-2020.pdf
Description
Summary:<p>An incoherent broadband cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy (IBBCEAS) technique has been developed for the in situ monitoring of NO<span class="inline-formula"><sub>3</sub></span> radicals at the parts per trillion level in the CSA simulation chamber (at LISA). The technique couples an incoherent broadband light source centered at 662&thinsp;nm with a high-finesse optical cavity made of two highly reflecting mirrors. The optical cavity which has an effective length of 82&thinsp;cm allows for up to 3&thinsp;km of effective absorption and a high sensitivity for NO<span class="inline-formula"><sub>3</sub></span> detection (up to 6&thinsp;ppt for an integration time of 10&thinsp;s). This technique also allows for NO<span class="inline-formula"><sub>2</sub></span> monitoring (up to 9&thinsp;ppb for an integration time of 10&thinsp;s). Here, we present the experimental setup as well as tests for its characterization and validation. The validation tests include an intercomparison with another independent technique (Fourier-transform infrared, FTIR) and the absolute rate determination for the reaction <i>trans</i>-2-butene&thinsp;<span class="inline-formula">+</span>&thinsp;NO<span class="inline-formula"><sub>3</sub></span>, which is already well documented in the literature. The value of (4.13&thinsp;<span class="inline-formula">±</span>&thinsp;0.45)&thinsp;<span class="inline-formula">×</span>&thinsp;10<span class="inline-formula"><sup>−13</sup></span>&thinsp;cm<span class="inline-formula"><sup>3</sup></span>&thinsp;molecule<span class="inline-formula"><sup>−1</sup></span>&thinsp;s<span class="inline-formula"><sup>−1</sup></span> has been found, which is in good agreement with previous determinations. From these experiments, optimal operation conditions are proposed. The technique is now fully operational and can be used to determine rate constants for fast reactions involving complex volatile organic compounds (VOCs; with rate constants up to 10<span class="inline-formula"><sup>−10</sup></span>&thinsp;cm<span class="inline-formula"><sup>3</sup></span>&thinsp;molecule<span class="inline-formula"><sup>−1</sup></span>&thinsp;s<span class="inline-formula"><sup>−1</sup></span>).</p>
ISSN:1867-1381
1867-8548