Compact, circular, and optically stable multipass cell for mobile laser absorption spectroscopy

Compact and lightweight laser absorption spectrometers for accurate trace gas measurements are of great scientific and commercial importance. In these instruments, the multipass cell (MPC) represents a critical element in terms of achievable size and sensitivity. Herein, we introduce a versatile MPC concept which unifies compactness, mechanical rigidity, and optical stability. Relying on fundamental cavity design principles and modern diamond turning techniques, we have developed a segmented circular MPC that allows efficient and interference-free beam folding. A prototype cell is presented featuring up to 10 m optical path length at a total mass of less than 200 g. Incorporated in a highly compact setup without additional beam pre-shaping optics, we demonstrate a normalized noise level of low 10^-4 (2σ) at 1 Hz.