%0 Journal Article %J Isotopes in Environmental and Health Studies %D 2005 %T A frequency-modulated quantum-cascade laser for spectroscopy of CH4 and N2O isotopomers %A Gagliardi, G %A Borri, S %A Tamassia, F %A F. Capasso %A Gmachl, C. %A Sivco, DL %A Baillargeon, JN %A Hutchinson, AL %A Cho, AY %K carbon-13 %K IR spectrometry %K isotope analysis %K isotopomers %K Methane %K nitrogen-15 %K Nitrous Oxide %K oxygen-17 %K oxygen-18 %X We report the development of a novel laser spectrometer for high-sensitivity detection of methane and nitrous oxide. The system relies on a quantum-cascade laser source emitting wavelength of around 8.06 mu m, where strong fundamental absorption bands occur for the considered species and their isotopomers. The detection technique is based on audio-frequency and radio-frequency modulation of laser radiation. First experimental tests have been performed to estimate the achievable detection limits and the signal reproducibility levels in view of possible measurements of C-13/C-12, O-18/O-16, O-17/O-16 and N-15/N-14 isotope ratios. %B Isotopes in Environmental and Health Studies %I TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD %C 4 PARK SQUARE, MILTON PARK, ABINGDON OX14 4RN, OXON, ENGLAND %V 41 %P 313-321 %8 DEC %G eng %N 4 %9 Article; Proceedings Paper %R 10.1080/10256010500384572