We investigated ammonia spectroscopy near 1.5 mum to select transitions app
ropriate for trace ammonia detection in air-quality and combustion emission
s-monitoring applications using diode lasers. Six ammonia features were sel
ected for these trace-gas detection applications based on their transition
strengths and isolation from interfering species. The strengths, positions,
and lower-state energies for the lines in each of these features were meas
ured and compared with values published in the literature. Ammonia slip was
measured in the exhaust above an atmospheric pressure premixed ethylene-ai
r burner to demonstrate the feasibility of the in situ diode-laser sensor.
(C) 2001 Optical Society of America.