Isotopic N2O Analyzer (site-specific δ15N, δ17O, δ18O and N2O)

N₂O is a linear, non-symmetric molecule (N–N–O), with one nitrogen atom at the center (alpha site) and one at the end (beta site). Therefore, one can distinguish between two structural isomers containing one heavy isotope of nitrogen, namely ¹⁴N¹⁵N¹⁶O and ¹⁵N¹⁴N¹⁶O, referred to as ¹⁵N^α and ¹⁵N^β, respectively.  The intramolecular distribution of ¹⁵N in N₂O can provide information about the geochemical cycle of N₂O because many biological and chemical processes have distinct isotopic signatures.

LGR’s Isotopic N2O Analyzer (Isotopic Nitrous Oxide Analyzer) is the world’s only commercially available laser-based gas analyzer that measures isotopic site-specific (15N) nitrogen, δ17O and δ18O in N2O. Employing a continuous-wave mid-infrared quantum cascade laser along with LGR’s patented cavity enhanced laser absorption spectroscopy technique (Off-axis ICOS), LGR’s Isotopic N2O Analyzer provides continuous and precise measurements of all the stable isotopologues of nitrous oxide directly, without preconcentration, and over a very wide dynamic range. 

Performance Specifications

Model 914-0022 (N₂O, δ¹⁵N^α, δ¹⁵N^β , δ¹⁵N)

Precision (1σ, 100 seconds, N₂O > 300 ppb):

N₂O: 0.2 ppb

δ¹⁵N, δ¹⁵N^α, δ¹⁵N^β : better than 1 ‰

Model914-0027 (N₂O, δ¹⁵N^α, δ¹⁵N^β , δ¹⁵N, δ¹⁸O)

Model 914-0060 (N₂O, δ¹⁵N^α, δ¹⁵N^β , δ15N, δ¹⁷O, δ¹⁸O)

Precision (1σ, N₂O > 300 ppb):

N₂O: 0.2 ppb

δ¹⁵N, δ¹⁵N^α, δ¹⁵N^β : better than 1 ‰ (300 seconds)

δ¹⁷O: Better than 1 ‰ (N2 O > 10 ppm, 300 seconds)

δ¹⁸O: better than 1 ‰ (1000 seconds)

Maximum Drift (15 min average, at STP, over 24 hrs):

N₂O: 1 ppb

δ¹⁵N, δ¹⁵N^α, δ¹⁵N^β , δ¹⁷O, δ¹⁸O: less than 1 ‰

Measurement Rates:

User-selectable: up to 1 Hz

Measurement Range (meets all specs):

N₂O: 0.3 – 100 ppm

Operational Range:

N₂O: 0 – 1000 ppm

Temperature/Humidity:

Operating Temperature: 0 – 45 °C

ambient humidity: non-condensing (0-100% RH)

Fittings:

Inlet: 3/8"

Outlet (internal vacuum pump): ¼"

Outputs:

digital (RS-232), Ethernet, USB

Power Requirements:

115/230 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 400 watts (steady state)

Dimensions (compatible with instrument racks):

14" × 45" × 17"

Weight:

68 kg