RAL Space Spectroscopy Group

Laser Spectroscopy R&D

New laser spectroscopy concepts, instruments, and applications to enable high precision sensing systems operating in-situ or remotely.

Hi-Res Spectroscopy facility

The group operates the Fourier Transform spectroscopy facility dedicated to high resolution laboratory spectroscopic studies.

Modelling and analysis

Purpose-built codes and algorithms for spectroscopic instrument simulations, sensing analysis, mission studies, and data processing.

Technology and miniaturization

Solutions to miniaturized and rugged spectroscopic sensors for real world deployments and associated technologies.

Projects

Check out some of our projects

Harwell TCCON – 3 years of GHG measurements

September 2023, the Harwell TCCON observatory has reached three years of operational measurements. The observatory was accredited in September 2020...

Open path near IR laser dispersion spectrometer for methane monitoring

Monitoring methane emissions is essential to develop accountable, trusted greenhouse gas emission mitigation strategy. Based on its expertise in laser...

Integrated laser isotopic analysers for breath analysis

Using hollow waveguide hybrid optical integration, the group develops miniaturized mid-infrared laser absorption spectrometers for isotopologue ratio analysis. One of...

CubeSats for the Monitoring of Atmospheric Processes – CubeMAP

Earth is changing at an unprecedented pace. One of the most pressing global issues faced by humankind relates to climate...

MEMS Fourier Transform Spectrometer for Earth Observation

Lightweight, power-efficient, low-cost, yet efficient, sensors are highly sought after for space applications. Hyperspectral and ultraspectral (spectroscopic) remote sensors are...

GECO – Geothermal Emission COntrol

The Spectroscopy Group is part of the H2020 GECO consortium led by Reykjavik Energy. For the GECO project, the group...

ASPIC – Advanced Spectroscopy for improved characterisation of the near-Infrared water vapour Continuum

In collaboration with the University of Reading, Department of Meteorology, the RAL Space Spectroscopy Group works on a four year...

Fugitive gas emission mapping & quantification

In collaboration with MIRICO Ltd and Shell SGSI, the group has developed a novel laser sensor for long open path...

Halocarbon reference spectroscopy

In collaboration with NCEO and University of Leicester, the High-Resolution Spectroscopy Facility undertake laboratory experiments on halocarbon reference spectroscopy to...

Mid-infrared photonics – laser inscribed optical components

Ultrafast laser inscription (ULI) of glasses is known to produce single- and multi-mode waveguides, which, to date, have mostly been...

CO2 Laser Heterodyne Radiometer deployment to the Finnish Arctic for the FRM4GHG campaign

An essential component of quantifying, understanding and predicting changes in the Earth’s carbon cycle is a global measurement system of...

Towards a UK TCCON site

In collaboration with the University of Leicester and Edinburgh, the group is developing a ground based remote sensing facility for...

MISO Mission Study

Microsatellite missions have been developing rapidly over the last 5 years: 158 launched in 2014 and 212 forecasted for 2015....

Laser isotope ratio-meter volcanic deployment

Volcanic degassing is the main pathway of carbon release from the Earth’s interior to the atmosphere. In order to constrain...

Solar tracker

Laser Heterodyne Spectro-radiometry for CO2 sounding

This project focuses on the demonstration and assessment of thermal infrared laser heterodyne spectro-radiometry for the remote sensing of carbon...

Active Coherent Laser Spectrometer for standoff sensing (ACLaS)

Detecting chemical threats at safe standoff distances An eye-safe, mid-IR hyperspectral active standoff detection system provides identification, detection, and confident...

Laser isotope ratio-meter

From an initial breadboard concept development intended for planetary landers, the group has developed some novel concept for laser isotope...

Long open-path laser dispersion sensing

Laser Dispersion Spectroscopy (LDS), is a new gas sensing technique that applies a novel approach to tuneable diode laser spectroscopy....

Intracavity laser sensors

The group develop a new technology based on widely tunable cavity enhanced sensors, for gas and liquid phase analysis. When...

Mid IR hollow waveguide integration

One activity within the Spectroscopy Group of RAL Space consists of developing enabling technologies relevant to laser-based instruments for molecular...

LHR / FTS comparison for atmospheric sounding

Funded by STFC proof of concept.

Multipass and cavity enhanced laser spectroscopy

Quantum cascade laser sensing techniques based on cavity enhanced techniques (OF-CEAS, CEAS, CRDS) as well as multipass asorption cells have...

Terahertz quantum cascade laser spectroscopy

Terahertz quantum cascade lasers are not yet as mature as their mid infrared counterparts. However, terahertz quantum cascade lasers are...

Ozone profiling by Laser Heterodyne Spectro-Radiometry

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