Substance detection, inspection and classification system using enhanced photoemission spectroscopy
AssigneeCDEX, Inc.
InventorsWade Poteet, James Ryles, Malcolm Philips
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Abstract
A handheld or portable 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 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). The system uses a synchronous detector and visible light filter to enhance detection capabilities.
Claims15
A handheld photoemission spectroscopy detection system comprising:
- a miniature scanning detection system operating in the ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum comprising:
- an excitation light source;
- a low-pass spectral filter;
- a visible light filter;
- an ultraviolet fluorescence detector to detect a plurality of emissions;
- a synchronous detector synchronized to a phase or a frequency of the excitation light source to detect a signal of interest from the plurality of emissions;
- a processor coupled to the synchronous detector, the processor receiving spectral data from the signal of interest;
- and
- a database coupled to said processor that includes signature data for a plurality of predetermined chemical substances to compare to the spectral data.
A method for detecting a substance using a handheld photoemission spectroscopy detection system, the method comprising:
- operating a miniature scanning detection system in the ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, wherein the miniature scanning detection system includes an ultraviolet fluorescence detector to operate in conjunction with
- an excitation light source,
- a low-pass spectral filter,
- a synchronous detector, and
- a visible light filter;
- receiving composite spectral data from the ultraviolet fluorescence detector at the synchronous detector, wherein the synchronous detector detects a signal of interest from the composite spectral data;
- retrieving signature data for a predetermined chemical substance from a database coupled to the processor based on the signal of interest;
- and
- outputting matched signature data.
A handheld photoemission spectroscopy detection system comprising:
- a miniature scanning detection system operating in the ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum including
- a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), wherein each of the plurality of LEDs emit within a specified portion of the spectrum;
- at least one low-pass spectral filter;
- a visible light filter;
- a spectrometer to detect a plurality of emissions from the plurality of LEDs;
- a synchronous detector coupled to the spectrometer, and synchronized to a phase or a frequency of the excitation light source to detect a signal of interest from the plurality of emissions
- a processor coupled to the spectrometer to receive spectral data corresponding to the signal of interest;
- and
- a database coupled to said processor that includes signature data for a plurality of predetermined chemical substances, wherein the database provides signature data that matches the spectral data of the signal of interest to identify at least one of the plurality of predetermined chemical substances.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.