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Laser and Spectroscopy for Sensing Applications
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Laser and Spectroscopy for Sensing Applications

A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "Optical Sensors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 2842

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Luca Poletto

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Research Council, Institute of Photonics and Nanotechnologies, via Trasea 7, 35131 Padova, Italy
Interests: high-order laser harmonics; free-electron lasers; attosecond pulses; extreme ultraviolet optics; ultrafast beamlines; laser spettroscopic techniques for gas detection
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Lorenzo Cocola

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies, CNR, 35131 Padova, Italy
Interests: design and manufacturing of laser instrument prototypes for infrared and Raman spectroscopic detection; optical and gas-related measurements

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Laser spectroscopy represents a cornerstone in the development of advanced, high-performance detection systems. The use of laser sources combined with spectroscopic techniques enables precise, selective, and sensitive detection of molecular species that can be tailored to address a wide range of environments. Techniques such as Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS), cavity-enhanced spectroscopy (in all its possible variations and implementations), comb spectroscopy, Raman scattering, Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), and photoacoustic spectroscopy have demonstrated exceptional capabilities in gas sensing, biomedical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and industrial process control. Recent advancements in Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCLs), Interband Cascade Lasers (ICLs), and frequency combs have pushed the limits of mid-infrared and terahertz sensing, enhancing both resolution and miniaturization. Moreover, the integration of spectroscopic platforms with fiber optics, advanced detectors, and photonic integrated circuits is enabling the development of portable, field-deployable systems. This synergy between laser technology and advancements in optics, spectroscopy and optoelectronics is key to meeting current and future challenges in trace detection, multi-species analysis, real-time monitoring and remote sensing.

We invite authors to submit original research, new developments, experimental works, and surveys in the fields of spectroscopic-based techniques for gas sensing, with possible applications to process control, environmental monitoring, health and safety, and agrifood industry. The topics of interest of this Special Issue include, but are not limited to the following:

Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy

Cavity enhanced spectroscopy

Comb spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy

Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy

Photoacoustic spectroscopy

Trace detection

Multi species analysis

Remote sensing

Dr. Luca Poletto
Dr. Lorenzo Cocola
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sensors is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy
  • cavity enhanced spectroscopy
  • comb spectroscopy
  • raman spectroscopy
  • laser induced breakdown spectroscopy
  • photoacoustic spectroscopy
  • trace detection
  • multi species analysis
  • remote sensing

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 1579 KB  
Article
Raman Spectroscopy for Monitoring NOx and N2O in Combustion Products
by Riccardo Dal Moro, Fabio Melison, Lorenzo Cocola and Luca Poletto
Sensors 2026, 26(10), 3180; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26103180 - 17 May 2026
Viewed by 316
Abstract
The increasing adoption of alternative fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia in energy systems has created a growing need for advanced diagnostic techniques capable of monitoring combustion products with high specificity and flexibility. In this context, Raman spectroscopy represents a promising optical approach [...] Read more.
The increasing adoption of alternative fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia in energy systems has created a growing need for advanced diagnostic techniques capable of monitoring combustion products with high specificity and flexibility. In this context, Raman spectroscopy represents a promising optical approach for gas analysis, as it enables the simultaneous detection of multiple species without requiring sample preparation. In this work, the performance of a cost-effective Raman-based system on quantitative detection of nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) is presented. The experimental setup is based on a multi-pass optical configuration designed to enhance the Raman signal and employs off-the-shelf components, including an uncooled CMOS detector. Calibration measurements were carried out using gas mixtures at known partial pressures, and gas concentrations were retrieved through a nonlinear least-squares fitting procedure applied to the measured spectra. The results show that the system provides linear and repeatable responses for NO and N2O over the investigated pressure ranges, with low mean errors and limited data dispersion, while NO2 performance could not be fully quantified in a comparable manner due to the high reactivity of the species under the tested conditions. Overall, the proposed system represents a viable and cost-effective solution for multi-species gas analysis in emerging combustion applications. This work aims to extend the industrial applicability of Raman spectroscopy to NOx and NO2 diagnostics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Laser and Spectroscopy for Sensing Applications)
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20 pages, 5028 KB  
Article
Acoustic Signatures in Laser-Induced Plasmas for Detection of Explosives in Traces
by Violeta Lazic, Biljana Stankov, Fabrizio Andreoli, Marco Pistilli, Ivano Menicucci, Christian Ulrich, Frank Schnürer, Roberto Chirico and Pasqualino Gaudio
Sensors 2026, 26(2), 672; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26020672 - 20 Jan 2026
Viewed by 867
Abstract
In this work we report the results of analysis of the acoustic signal generated by the interaction of a nanosecond laser pulse (30 mJ, 1064 nm) with various residues placed on a silica wafer. The signal was captured by a unidirectional microphone placed [...] Read more.
In this work we report the results of analysis of the acoustic signal generated by the interaction of a nanosecond laser pulse (30 mJ, 1064 nm) with various residues placed on a silica wafer. The signal was captured by a unidirectional microphone placed 30 mm from the laser-generated plasma. The examined sample classes, other than the clean wafer, included particles from soils and rocks, carbonates, nitro precursors, ash, coal, smeared diesel, and particles of explosives. We tested three types of explosives, namely PETN, RDX, and HMX, having different origins. For the explosives, the acoustic signal showed a faster rise, larger amplitude, different width, and attenuation compared with the other sample classes. By subtracting the acoustic signal from the wafer at the same position, obtained after four cleaning laser pulses, the contribution of echoes was eliminated and true differences between the residue and substrate became evident. Through four different features in the subtracted signal, it was possible to classify explosives without the presence of false positives; the estimated limit of detection was 15 ng, 9.6 ng, and 18 ng for PETN, RDX, and HMX, respectively, where the mass was extrapolated from nano-printed samples and LIBS spectra acquired simultaneously. Furthermore, HMX was distinguished from the other two explosives in 90% of the cases; diesel and coal were also recognized. We also found that explosives deposited through wet transfer behaved as inert substances for the tested masses up to 30 ng. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Laser and Spectroscopy for Sensing Applications)
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9 pages, 1140 KB  
Article
Photoacoustic Spectroscopy-Based Detection for Identifying the Occurrence and Location of Laser-Induced Damage Using a Laser Doppler Vibrometer
by Katsuhiro Mikami, Ryoichi Akiyoshi and Yasuhiro Miyasaka
Sensors 2025, 25(21), 6643; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25216643 - 30 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1243
Abstract
We present a photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS)-based method using a laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV) for real-time detection of laser-induced damage (LID) in optical components. By measuring audible frequency surface vibrations, the method enables remote, non-contact, and sensitive detection. Experiments with various dielectric optics (slide [...] Read more.
We present a photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS)-based method using a laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV) for real-time detection of laser-induced damage (LID) in optical components. By measuring audible frequency surface vibrations, the method enables remote, non-contact, and sensitive detection. Experiments with various dielectric optics (slide glass and single-layer coatings) and pulse durations (7 ns and 360 ps) of an Nd:YAG laser (wavelength of 1064 nm) showed detection accuracy comparable to microscopy. Vibration spectra correlated with natural modes calculated by finite element modeling, and vibrations according to the detecting location were observed. The method remained effective under typical mounting conditions, demonstrating its practical applicability. This PAS-LDV approach offers a promising tool for in situ monitoring of LID in high-power laser systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Laser and Spectroscopy for Sensing Applications)
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