As is known, the ability to reliably sense gas phase compositions is of considerable societal importance. For example, the ability to detect low concentrations of Carbon Monoxide (CO)—is particularly important in a household where its early detection may be a matter of life and death for household occupants as CO in sufficient concentration is lethal to those occupants.
Recently, laser spectroscopy—and in particular wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) has proven to be both highly sensitive and highly accurate for gas phase detection. An essential component to the reliable detection of gas phase compositions is a calibrated detector. Unfortunately, traditional calibration methods for gas phase sensors used in WMS is generally unsuitable for high gas concentration environments frequently encountered. Consequently, methods that facilitate or otherwise improve the calibration and/or reliability of sensors for the detection of gas phase compositions throughout a wide range of gas phase concentration(s) would represent a welcome addition to the art.