title: Allan Deviation Plot as a Tool for Quartz-Enhanced Photoacoustic Sensors Noise Analysis.
abstract: We report here on the use of the Allan deviation plot to analyze the long-term stability of a quartz-enhanced photoacoustic (QEPAS) gas sensor. The Allan plot provides information about the optimum averaging time for the QEPAS signal and allows the prediction of its ultimate detection limit. The Allan deviation can also be used to determine the main sources of noise coming from the individual components of the sensor. Quartz tuning fork thermal noise dominates for integration times up to 275 s, whereas at longer averaging times, the main contribution to the sensor noise originates from laser power instabilities.
authors.forename: Marilena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giglio
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Patimisco
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sampaolo
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scamarcio
authors.forename: Frank K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Tittel
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Spagnolo
mesh_terms: D005740:Gases / Q000032:analysis*; D015233:Models, Statistical; D061088:Photoacoustic Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011791:Quartz
chemical_list: D005740:Gases; D011791:Quartz