Yaroslava Antonenko, a master's student at the Department of Laser Systems at Novosibirsk State Technical University, conducted research on the detection of N2o impurities in technological processes using a laser optical-acoustic gas analyzer.
Yaroslava Antonenko, under the guidance of Igor Sherstov, Head of the Laboratory of Infrared Laser Systems at the Institute of Laser Physics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, has developed a facility for determining the concentration of nitrous oxide impurities, an air pollutant harmful to humans and the environment. In particular, a graduate student at NSTU-NETI chose a wavelength for detecting gas absorption, selected a suitable laser, and conducted theoretical and experimental studies of the model of the N2o optical-acoustic laser gas analyzer.
"It was decided to focus on a quantum cascade laser because of its compact size and the ability to adjust the wavelength. All together, it allows us to create a compact device that can be used both in enterprises and in field laboratories," Yaroslava Antonenko said.
According to the graduate student, the device, designed for highly sensitive detection, consists of an optical unit and an electronics unit. Using such a scheme, it is possible to detect not only N2o impurities, but also other harmful gases. The work is based on the method of laser optical-acoustic spectroscopy, which consists in generating acoustic waves in a substance when it absorbs optical radiation.
With the results of this work, Yaroslava Antonenko won the nomination "Best Technological Solution" at the final qualification competition of the international scientific and technical organization "Laser Association". According to Boris Nyushkov, head of the Department of Laser Systems at NSTU-NETI, this award can be considered not only Yaroslava's personal achievement, but also a high assessment of the quality of professional training by the professional community.
"The unique specifics of our department — the opportunity to complete practical training, participate in real-world research and development at Akademgorodok institutes under the guidance of leading research scientists, as well as study relevant scientific and technical disciplines taught by these scientists - allows our students to gain unique skills and competencies," said Boris Nyushkov.
It should be recalled that Victoria Zaitseva, a graduate student of the Department of Optical Information Technologies at NSTU-NETI, also received the diploma of the winner of the competition of final qualifying papers of the international scientific and technical organization "Laser Association". She has developed a method for forming multilayer binary Damman gratings, a technological approach to creating optical elements with diffraction and anti—reflection properties, which will scale the production of optical elements.