Non-Dispersive Infrared Absorption Sensors

The principle of non-dispersive infrared absorption uses the properties of individual gases in absorbing specific frequencies of infrared light which the sample gas is exposed to. The sensor measures the composition and concentrations by analysing the frequencies and extent of light absorbed. As all infrared light of all frequencies emitted from the light source is utilised, it is referred to as "non-dispersive."

Non-dispersive type infrared absorption sensors are widely used for various types of gas measurements such as carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and hydrocarbons (HC). Usually this type of gas sensor is large with a bulky metal casing to accommodate the optical path and the rotary device of the mechanical chopper; only few are compact enough for installation in portable measuring devices.
Conventional non-dispersive infrared absorption sensors consist of four elements: the light source, the detector element (e.g. light detector element), the optical path and the mechanical chopper). However, the GASTEC CO₂ sensor is configured of only three elements: the light source, the light detector, and the optical path. It has the following features.

• The blinking light source requires no mechanical chopper
• The cumulative effect of the low-energy light source and the lack of a chopper keep power consumption as low as 1/8(*Comparison with older GASTEC devices) of that for similar devices
• Since the ongoing cycle of heat generation and cooling stabilizes quickly, the standby time before the device is ready is as low as 1/5(*Comparison with older GASTEC devices) that of conventional sensors
• These sensors are kept very compact since no heat dissipation mechanism is required for the body, resinification is possible with both capacity and weight at less than 1/4(*Comparison with older GASTEC devices) that for conventional sensors
• It has an integrated filter and the gas selectivity is maintained with only an infrared detector.