Quantitative measurements of CO2 and CH4 using a multipass Raman capillary cell

Raman measurements of two common gases are made using a simple multipass capillary Raman cell (MCC) coupled to an unfiltered 18 around I fiber-optic Raman probe. The MCC, which is fabricated by chemical deposition of silver on the inner walls of a 2 mm inner diameter glass capillary tube, gives up to 20-fold signal enhancements for nonabsorbing gases. The device is relatively small and suitable for remote and in situ Raman measurements with optical fibers. The optical behavior of the MCC is similar to previously described liquid-core waveguides and hollow metal-coated waveguides used for laser transmission, but unlike the former devices, the MCC is generally applicable to a very wide range of nonabsorbing gases. (C) 2008 Optical Society of America.