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AssigneeControl Screening, LLC
InventorsDao Hinh Nguyen, Stewart Berry, David L. Christensen, Chris Klymowsky
Estimating the term…
A compact scanning apparatus includes an optical system to deliver a beam of pulsed infrared laser light that illuminate an interrogation area of a surface. The illumination has sufficient intensity and duration to cause selective ablation of molecules of a contraband substance present on the surface without substantially damaging the surface. A collection system collects at least a portion of the ablated molecules and transfers them to a chemical analysis system having a detector. In response to the presence of a wide variety of contraband substance molecules, the detector outputs an electrical signal that activates an audible or visible alarm. Automated screening is provided in an accurate, reliable manner that virtually eliminates the vagaries of human performance. False alarms are reduced. Detection efficacy is increased. A traceable residue of the detected contraband is left on the article for subsequent forensic analysis.
A method of removing a detectable portion of a pre-selected contraband substance present on a surface, comprising illuminating said surface with light emitted from an infrared laser, said illumination having sufficient intensity and duration to cause selective desorption of molecules of said contraband substance without substantially damaging said surface.
A method of detecting the presence of a preselected contraband substance on a surface of an object comprising the steps of:
An apparatus for non-destructively detecting the presence of a contraband substance on a surface of an object comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.