Products
Submarine Total Air Monitor
Nikira Labs' Spectroscopic Total Air Monitor (STAM) is a centralized atmosphere analyzer developed for the U.S. Navy under NAVSEA sponsorship. The STAM uses cavity-enhanced laser absorption spectrometry to measure submarine life gases and volatile organic compounds in a single instrument. The results support more accurate control of oxygen generators, carbon dioxide scrubbers, and VOC burners, while reducing the maintenance and obsolescence burden of legacy monitoring equipment.
01
02
Optical Extinction Analyzer
Directed energy weapons rely on delivering concentrated laser power to a target, but atmospheric aerosols, water vapor, and particulates absorb and scatter that energy along the beam path, reducing the power that actually reaches the target — a phenomenon quantified by optical extinction. Real-time extinction measurements let operators predict beam attenuation and adjust power or wavelength selection to compensate for current atmospheric conditions, which is critical since extinction can vary significantly with weather, altitude, and time of day.
Nikira Labs' Open-Path Optical Extinction Analyzer (OEA) is a next generation instrument for accurate measurements of optical extinction. The OEA uses open-path cavity ringdown spectroscopy to measure the total optical extinction of aerosols from first principles. By periodically purging the cavity with filtered air, the OEA measures the optical loss with and without aerosols. Subtracting these measurements provides the absolute optical extinction due to ambient aerosols from first-principles with no external calibration. The analyzer is available at various wavelengths, allowing the measurements to be matched to the operating wavelength of the system it supports. Due to its high data rate (up to 10 Hz), the analyzer can be used for both routine monitoring and eddy covariance studies.
Chemical Weapon Detection
Nikira Labs builds ultra-sensitive laser spectrometers that detect chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals at trace levels. Our scientists authored the definitive book chapter on detecting CWAs and explosives with cavity-enhanced absorption spectrometry, demonstrating single-digit-ppb detection of nerve agent simulants in real-world air. Our EPA-funded analyzers quantify TICs like TCE and PCE with sub-ppb precision, continuously and autonomously. Our patented ultra-long path, non-paraxial multipass cell delivers kilometer-class optical paths in a compact, shock-tolerant package with the wide dynamic range needed for both trace plume and near-source detection. From iCRDS to cavity-enhanced and multipass architectures, we partner with DoD agencies to create purpose-built, ruggedized detection instruments — from concept through qualification — for the warfighter.
03
