Gas sensor comprising a pulsed light source

A method for measuring an amount of a gaseous species present in a gas, the gaseous species absorbing light in an absorption spectral band, the method comprising:

• a) placing the gas between a light source and a measuring photodetector, the light source being configured to emit a light wave, which propagates through the gas to the measuring photodetector;
• b) activating the light source so as to illuminate the gas, so that the light source emits a light pulse;
• c) measuring, with the measuring photodetector, a measurement intensity of a light wave transmitted by the gas during the illumination, in a measurement spectral band, the measurement spectral band comprising the absorption spectral band;
• wherein
• step b) comprises supplying the light source with a pulsed activation signal, the activation signal comprising electrical pulses, each electrical pulse extending between an initial time and a final time, and each electrical pulse comprising:
• an initial period, extending an initial duration from the initial time, in the course of which the activation signal is at an initial level;
• a nominal period, after the initial period, in the course of which the activation signal is maintained at a nominal level strictly lower than the initial level, the nominal period having a nominal duration longer than the initial duration.