A New Method for Eliminating Background Signal Drift to Improve the Detection Precision in Continuous Harmonic Detection

To overcome the second harmonic background signal drift in gas continuous detection based on tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy(TDLAS), a new method of background elimination was proposed by changing center current of the laser. This method can eliminated the effects of background signal drifting on concentration inversion. Based on the wavelength modulation theory, the theoretical expression of the second harmonic of the background signal is derived. In addition, the second harmonic background signal components and the factors that affect it are described. In different working temperatures, the relationship curve between thelaser current and output light intensity. In the process of continuous detection, we analyzes the feasibility ofchangingthe laser center current extraction of background signal. Combined with the principle of the background signal searching, the LabView flow chart was designed to search background center current. Ammonia(NH3) was detected by the TDLAS experimental system, which demonstrated the feasibility of the new method. The range of experiment parameters and the range of background center current searches were determined, in the situation that there was only one absorption line in the full laser workspace. The experimental results showed that this method realizes background signal extraction, reduces the error of concentration inversion and the effects of concentration inversion bybackground signal. Thus it improved the detection accuracy of the concentration. In the continuous detection experiment, the standarddeviation of inversion concentration reduced from 2. 688 3 to 1. 856 1, which demonstrated that the degree of dispersion of detected concentration is reduced, even eliminate the effects of background signal drifting on concentration inversion and the accuracy of detection is improved. This method provides an effective background drifting elimination approach for improving the detection accuracy of the concentration.