Optical gas detection for precise measurement

Optical gas detection enables fast, selective, and stable measurement of hazardous and environmentally relevant gases where accuracy and long-term reliability are critical. Used across industrial safety, environmental monitoring, medical, and process control, optical sensing technologies deliver dependable performance beyond controlled lab conditions.

With decades of compound semiconductor expertise, Hamamatsu Photonics supports OEMs and system integrators with detectors and emitters engineered for low drift, long lifetime, and consistent operation in real-world environments.

Meeting real-world challenges

Accurate gas detection is essential workplace safety, regulatory requirements, and stable industrial processes. In sectors such as oil & gas, manufacturing, and more, sensors continuously detect trace gases under fluctuating temperatures, vibrations, and contamination, often over many years of operation.

As regulatory pressure increases and monitoring becomes more continuous, the choice of detection technology extends beyond measurement performance alone. Long-term stability, supply continuity are critical factors in ensuring reliable operation throughout a system’s lifecycle.

Expert discussion: Optical gas detection technologies

Deepen your understanding of optical gas detection (video coming soon)

Upcoming expert discussion between Joji Sakakiyama, Business Development Manager, and Christoph Seibel, Group leader Academic Sales exploring optical gas detection technologies, from infrared light sources and detectors to system-level design considerations and real-world applications in environmental, industrial, medical, and automotive sensing.

Technical insight article

Explore how system-level design choices influence long-term stability in compact TDLAS methane sensors. The article explores optical architecture, detector behavior, and integration considerations behind reliable sub-ppm CH₄ measurements in real-world gas detection applications.

Read the article

Explore Measurement methods & applications

Advantages of infrared and mid-infrared gas detection

Optical gas detection identifies and quantifies gases by measuring wavelength-specific light absorption in the infrared (IR) and mid-infrared (MIR) spectral regions. This approach enables selective, non-contact detection of multiple gases, even in complex or mixed environments.

Light is transmitted through a gas sample. A detector then monitors the absorbance at the gas-specific wavelength. Because IR and MIR absorption features are highly selective, these technologies are well suited for detecting regulated and hazardous gases such as CO₂, CH₄, and H₂S with minimal cross-sensitivity.

The result is fast response, high measurement confidence, and stable performance in applications where continuous operation and interference-free detection are essential.

Features of optical gas measurement

Example of a mid-infrared detector architecture

Design insights for stable optical gas detection

Multi-stage detector design

The animation explores how an innovative multi-stage detector architecture improves response speed, stability, and long-term reliability in optical gas detection. Designed without harmful materials, this approach also reduces environmental impact and operating costs without compromising measurement performance.

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Readout electronics and signal stability

Optical Gas Detection: Readout electronics and signal stability

Coming soon

How can we help you?

Optical gas sensing systems depend on components that perform reliably outside controlled laboratory settings and continue to do so over years of operation. With unique semiconductor fabrication capabilities, Hamamatsu Photonics supports precise, stable measurement across the most demanding applications.

Choosing Hamamatsu means more than selecting a component. It means partnering with a supplier focused on long-term success:

Reliability & long-term stability: Detectors and emitters engineered for consistent performance over time, reducing maintenance and downtime.
Unique manufacturing expertise: Over 70 years of R&D and in-house semiconductor fabrication trusted by OEMs and system integrators worldwide.
Customization & engineering support: Close collaboration to develop tailored solutions from prototype to production.
Stable long-term supply: A robust global supply chain ensures continuity, predictability for long-lifecycle systems.

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Explore devices for optical gas measurement

For a closer look at available devices and evaluation solutions for optical gas measurement, download our brochure.

Download brochure [2.5 MB/PDF]

For more information, please contact us.

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Optical gas detection for precise measurement

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