Radiocarbon dioxide detection using cantilever-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy

In this Letter, we report on the sub-parts-per-billion-level radiocarbon dioxide detection using cantilever-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy. The ¹⁴C/C ratio of samples is measured by targeting a ¹⁴CO₂ absorption line with minimal interference from other CO₂ isotopes. Using a quantum cascade laser as a light source allows for a compact experimental setup. In addition, measurements of sample gases with ¹⁴CO₂ concentrations as low as 100 parts-per-trillion (ppt) are presented. The Allan deviation demonstrates a noise equivalent concentration of 30 ppt at an averaging time of 9 min. The achieved sensitivity validates this method as a suitable alternative to more complex optical detection methods for radiocarbon dioxide detection used so far, and it can be envisioned for future in situ radiocarbon detection.