Next Generation Tunable 353/530 nm Fiber Laser formaldehyde (HCHO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

In situ measurements of formaldehyde (HCHO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) are essential for NASA’s upper atmospheric and tropospheric chemistry research programs. Goddard has a strong position in operating and developing laser induced fluorescence (LIF) instruments that detect these species, but we require new laser designs to maintain and improve our competitive edge. We propose to design, build, and test a high-power tunable fiber laser based on large mode area fiber technology that will serve as an excitation source for new and existing LIF hardware.

Both HCHO and NO₂are primary measurement objectives in existing (OMI, TROPOMI) and upcoming (TEMPO) satellite instruments and need airborne measurements to validate and complement them. Goddard’s existing In Situ Airborne Formaldehyde (ISAF) instrument uses a tunable fiber laser to detect formaldehyde with laser induced fluorescence at 353 nm. The laser that ISAF uses is obsolete and has failed twice in recent field campaigns. Our goal is to build a replacement laser that has better performance, reliability and field serviceability. In addition, we will make the design flexible to support the development of new instrumentation for the detection of NO₂ at 530 nm.

The Goddard In Situ Airborne Formaldehyde (ISAF) instrument was developed with funding in FY12. Since then, the instrument has flown in multiple NASA and non-NASA campaigns and has become the go-to instrument for in situ formaldehyde measurements. Unfortunately, the tunable fiber laser that is the core of the instrument has begun to fail and needs to be replaced to maintain operation and improved to ensure that we can maintain our competitive edge in providing these measurements – an unreliable laser makes it unlikely that we will be selected for future campaigns. The new laser that we propose will both maintain the current capability and provide a smaller, more efficient laser source that will make the instrument more competitive in future proposals.

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