# LASER technology is being used to determine greenhouse gas emission sources

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/04/laser-technology-is-being-used-to-determine-greenhouse-gas-emission-sources/
- Published: 2016-04-12T01:06:34-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

Researchers from the [University of Adelaide](https://www.adelaide.edu.au/) developed
a laser that can remotely detect greenhouse gases and operates over a large range
within the mid-infrared light spectrum.

Project leader David Ottaway says we can use the innovative technology to identify“
molecular fingerprints” by searching for traces of airborne gases.

_“The new laser is operating at a wavelength where many hydrocarbon gases, including
the greenhouse gases, absorb light,” he said._

> 
> #### **_“This particular laser that we’ve demonstrated has the broadest tuning range, which means that it can cover more frequencies than any other fibre laser. Usually they can only work on a narrow range of light._**
> 
> 
> #### **_“By changing the wavelength of our laser, we can measure the light absorption patterns of different chemicals with a high degree of sensitivity.”_**
> 

![The national institute of standards and technology nist is an agency of the u 
S Department of commerce](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/
2016/04/wp-1460422781720.jpeg?resize=500%2C362&quality=52&ssl=1 "wp-1460422781720.
jpeg - The Green Living Guy")

Source The National Institute of Standards and Technology NIST is an agency of the
US Department of Commerce

Associate Professor Ottaway said the technology could play a key role in detecting
methane emission sources.

> 
> #### _“Methane is the dominant component in natural gas, which has a carbon footprint roughly 25 times that of CO2 for the same amount of gas released, and is the second most prominent greenhouse gas after CO2,” he said._
> 
> 
> #### _“One of the things we can do with this technology is tell the difference between ethane and methane. If you can actually detect a difference between them, you can determine if it’s coming from an agricultural source or not.”…_
> 

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
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