Abstract:
Multiple energy sources, such as a laser and electrical field, are employed, in close coordination, spatially and temporally, to clean a sample, vaporize its material and excite vapor atoms for the purpose of atomic emission spectroscopy. These methods permit better monitoring and control of the individual processes in real time, lead to higher consistency and higher quality optical emission spectra, and enhance the measurements of non-conducting solids, liquids and gases. Additionally, a portable instrument is provided with both laser source and spectrometer optically coupled to a hand-holdable unit.
Abstract:
The invention relates generally to the field of substance and material detection, inspection, and classification at wavelengths between approximately 200 nm and approximately 1800 nm. In particular, a handheld Enhanced Photoemission Spectroscopy ("EPS") detection system with a high degree of specificity and accuracy, capable of use at small and substantial standoff distances (e.g., greater than 12 inches) is utilized to identify specific substances (e.g., controlled substances, illegal drugs and explosives, and other substances of which trace detection would be of benefit) and mixtures thereof in order to provide information to officials for identification purposes and assists in determinations related to the legality, hazardous nature and/or disposition decision of such substance(s).
Abstract:
In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a method for interrogating a sample by: illuminating a first region of the sample with a first illumination pattern to obtain a plurality of first sample photons; illuminating a second region of the sample with a second illumination pattern to obtain a plurality of second sample photons; processing the plurality of first sample photons to obtain a characteristic atomic emission of the first region and processing the plurality of second sample photons to obtain a Raman spectrum; and identifying the sample through at least one of the characteristic atomic emission of the first region or the Raman spectrum of the second region of the sample.
Abstract:
Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Korrektur von spektralen Störungen in einem Spektrum, das mit einem induktiv gekoppelten Plasma-Spektrometer (ICP) zur Analyse von Elementgehalten einer flüssigen oder gasförmigen Probe ermittelt wird, mit folgenden Schritten: A. Aufnehmen des Spektrums einer Matrixlösung, die alle spektral störenden Komponenten enthält, die auch in der Probe enthalten sind, in einer ersten Konzentration B. Aufnehmen des Spektrums der Matrixlösung in mindestens einer Verdünnung der ersten Konzentration C. Regression der in den Schritten a. und b. erhaltenen Signalintensitäten gegen die Konzentration für eine Anzahl von Wellenlängenpositionen D. Kalibration des Spektrometers, Untergrundkorrektur mit den aus der Regression im Schritt c ermittelten Werten und Ermitteln der Kalibrationsfunktion c = f (I) E. Aufnehmen des Probenspektrums mit wenigstens einem darin enthaltenen Analyten F. Ermitteln der Konzentration der spektral störenden Komponenten in der Probe aus den im Schritt c. erhaltenen Ergebnissen für Wellenlängenpositionen, in denen keine Linie des Analyten der Probe vorliegt; sowie G. Ermitteln des für die Analytkonzentration charakteristischen Probensignals durch Bilden der Differenz des Spektrums aus Schritt e. mit dem errechneten Matrixspektrum in einer Verdünnung, die im Schritt f. berechnet wurde, wobei die Kalibrationsfunktion c = f (I) verwendet wird.
Abstract:
L'invention se rapporte à un procédé d'analyse qualitative et quantitative d'échantillons par spectroscopie d'émission optique avec excitation par laser (18), utilisant une base de données réalisée sur des solutions aqueuses mono élémentaires ayant toutes la même concentration en élément pur, cette base de données contenant, pour chaque élément, les longueurs d'onde des raies d'émission et leur intensité respective .
Abstract:
A trace species detection System for engine health monitoring, the system including a laser (32) for generating a laser beam (34), and optics for focusing the laser beam into an exhaust plume of an engine for thereby creating a spark in the exhaust plume. The System further includes spectral analysis instrumentation (40) for detecting light emissions from the spark, and statistical processing instrumentation (100) for analyzing data from the spectral analysis instrumentation (40) for thereby identifying and quantifying specific particles within a volume of the spark. The invention also provides a method of monitoring the health of an engine, the method including generating a laser beam, focusing the laser beam into an exhaust plume of the engine for thereby creating a spark in the exhaust plume, detecting light emissions from the spark, and analyzing data from the detection for thereby identifying and quantifying specific particles within a volume of the spark.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for measuring an emission is provided. A source (12) of an excitation beam (14) is provided. In the path of the excitation beam (14), means (18) are located for providing one or more daughter beams (20). The one or more daughter beams (20) are directed at one or more substances (28). The substances (28) may include one or more known qualified substances (30), and one or more known unqualified substances (32). The substances (28) have substantially similar characterizations. Positionable adjacent to the one or more substances (28) are means (44) for generating one or more emission beams (42). A spectral measurements substantially simultaneously from the one or more emission beams (42). Means are provided for comparing the spectral measurements from the one or more substances (28).
Abstract:
The invention provides a method for remote real-time detection and monitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and monoaromatics in a sample based on the use of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). According to the method of the invention, detection and monitoring of PAHs and monoaromatics in a sample is carried out by the steps of using the energy from a pulsed laser to ablate a small quantity of a sample containing PAHs or monoaromatics, producing the emission spectrum of the resulting plasma plume by means of a spectrograph, detecting the intensities of the optical energy of specific features of the emission spectrum, measuring the intensities, and analyzing the measurements of the intensities. Analyzing the measurements of the intensities is done by comparing the measured maximum intensities with values in a previously acquired data base, calculating the ratio of the integrated intensity of specific features of the emission spectrum, and comparing the calculated ratios with values in a previously acquired data base.
Abstract:
A passive ranging system measured spectra of solar radiation off an adjacent spot (156) and a distal target (154). Reflected solar radiation and different attenuation are used to estimate target range. A comparison of absorption spectra from the solar illuminated distal target compared to the adjacent location is performed. Since the sun's position is always known, the increased absorption due to a distant target is derived from the differential between the adjacent spot and the distal target.
Abstract:
An inductively coupled plasma spectrometer including shielding/sampling means (1) located between a plasma torch (3) and an optical system (4) of the spectrometer, wherein said shielding/sampling (1) means is associated with an enclosure (9) for the plasma torch such that a relatively high independance path (10, 11) is established for limiting flow of electrical current between said shielding/sampling means (1) and said enclosure (9).