Résumé
We present a study of a sensor probe based on tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy, using antimonide-based diode lasers emitting at 2.3 and 2.6 μm. The lasers were fabricated by molecular beam epitaxy in the IES laboratory. The active regions are based on InGaAsSb/AlGaAsSb quantum wells grown on a GaSb(N) substrate. The diode lasers operate at room temperature in a continuous wave (CW) regime and exhibit 5 mW of emitted power. A linear optical setup using the two emitting facets of the diode lasers was developed. By using a second derivative detection by wavelength modulation spectroscopy, we obtained a CH4 detection limit of 9 ppm m. The sensor is designed to be used in soil and to measure CH4, CO2 and H2O, which are important constituents of the soil atmosphere generated by anaerobic digestion, microbial respiration or water transfer.