Trace Gas isotope analyzer (H and C)

The Picarro/Amiston instrument is unique because:

The long optical path length in a small measurement cavity (<40ml) of the Picarro analysers is perhaps the most significant technical aspect. The small cavity enables avoidance of temperature gradients in the cavity which, with precise temperature and pressure control, means Picarro are able to publish a guaranteed drift specification for the measurements over a 24-hour period thereby guaranteeing the both the stability of the analyser as well as the precision of a series of measurements. It is these two things together that determine the overall accuracy of the analyser measurements. Furthermore, the small cavity size means that smaller sample sizes can be measured enabling the coupling of the analysers to peripherals such as the induction module.

No other manufacturer publishes guaranteed precisions that reach those of this analyser. For climatology studies in particular where observed differences can be so small the extra guaranteed precision with a Picarro instrument enables more certainty regarding the significance of observed difference. By guaranteed, this means that the analyser must reach these precisions in the tests carried out before delivery (a compliance certificate is supplied) and furthermore, if the analyser is not performing at this level after delivery then it is considered a defect which Picarro will fix under guarantee.