Reducing the energy consumption of semiconductor methane sensors for gas alarm systems

The response dynamics of methane sensors based on 50%In2O3–50%Ga2O3 thin films operating in a pulsed power mode was investigated in order to increase response speed and to reduce the energy consumption. Authors propose two new information parameters, obtained in a dynamic mode of operation, using which it is possible to reduce the duration of the gas concentration measurement cycle by more than half. The possibility of introducing these parameters appears due to the presence of a local maximum on the dynamic dependences of the gas response. The cause of this maximum appearance is the increase in the rate of adsorbed oxygen consumption for the catalytic oxidation of methane with temperature raise. The results presented are applicable to development of methane sensors with ultra-low power consumption.