Welcome Address
The research and development of photoacoustic spectroscopy conducted at the Department of Optics and Quantum Electronics at the University of Szeged (SZTE) since 1994 are based on the recognition that laser-based photoacoustic spectroscopy is uniquely suitable for the highly accurate, rapid, and automatic measurement of gas and vapor concentrations. It covers an exceptionally wide concentration range, from parts per billion (ppb) to 100%, and is also capable of real-time quantitative and qualitative (chemical and toxicological) analysis of both artificial and natural aerosol particles.
Among its advantages compared to other analytical methods are its high sensitivity and low detection limit, enabling the determination of trace gas concentrations at the ppb level, especially when using a quantum cascade laser as a light source. Photoacoustics is also used for monitoring environmental processes, locating pollution sources, and determining source strength.
Over the past nearly 30 years, the Photoacoustic Research Group at the University of Szeged has developed numerous photoacoustic systems suitable for detecting environmental pollutants such as nitrogen compounds (NH₃, N₂O) and for measuring components in exhaled breath. As a result of our research, we have established an instrument park and a knowledge base built on our developed photoacoustic instruments, enabling us to conduct research at the forefront of international science.
We are convinced that the advancement of photoacoustic methods will remain unbroken in the near future, thanks in part to the development of the components of photoacoustic measurement systems and the application of new measurement procedures, some of which have been developed by our team. It is highly likely that photoacoustic methods will become a competitive alternative to traditional measurement techniques in even more fields.
Prof. Dr. Zoltán Bozóki
Head of Research Group
