Better
quantification of atmosphere-ecosystem exchange of the isotopologues of CO2
could substantially improve our ability to probe underlying physiological and
ecological mechanisms controlling ecosystem carbon exchange, but the ability to
make long-term continuous measurements of the isotopic composition of exchange
fluxes has been limited by measurement difficulties. Quantum cascade (QC)
lasers are a new generation of infrared light sources that offer increased
stability and power for absorption spectroscopy applications (including the
measurement of isotope ratios in atmospheric CO2) and promise
substantial improvements over existing instruments: smaller size, increased
robustness, and most significantly for remote or long-term field deployments,
no need for cryogenic cooling of laser or detectors.
Author: S.R. Saleska, J.H. Shorter, S. Herndon, et al (saleska at email dot arizona dot edu)
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