Broadband tunable source of mid-IR laser radiation for photoacoustic spectroscopy

Control over volatile products of metabolic processes in human body in exhaled air is a promising method for noninvasive medical diagnostics. The mid-IR range (2–12 μm) is of great interest for diagnostic applications of the exhaled air spectral analysis. Laser optoacoustic spectroscopy is quite attractive for detecting a large set of gaseous substances; however, high-power sources of tunable radiation are required to increase the method sensitivity. We consider the possibility of using a parametric light generator based on a BaGa₄Se₇ crystal as a broadband tunable mid-IR laser source for laser optoacoustic spectroscopy.