Lasing dye sensor for chemical vapors
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsTerence W. Barrett, John F. Giuliani
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Abstract
In an external lasing dye sensor system, a stream of lasing dye free-flows cross an open area inside a chamber. An air sample comprising chemical vapor contaminants is pumped or drawn into the chamber. A laser beam is introduced into the chamber intersecting the lasing dye. A chemical reaction between the contaminants and the lasing dye result in a change in the emission spectra of the lasing dye. The change in emission spectra is detected and thus provides an improved apparatus for detecting low concentrations of chemical vapors in an air sample.
Claims14
An external lasing dye system for detecting a chemical vapors having a basic pH in an air sample having:
- (a) a chamber;
- (b) a means for generating and projecting a laser beam into the chamber;
- (c) a means for introducing a free-flowing jet stream of lasing dye into the chamber so that the lasing dye jet stream intersects the laser beam;
- and
- (d) a means for detecting and analyzing the lasing emission spectra of the lasing dye jet stream;
- wherein the improvement comprises:
- a) a means connected to the lasing dye system for conveying an air sample potentially containing contaminants having a basic pH into the chamber so that the air sample contacts a dye stream introduced into the chamber, said dye stream being chemically reactive with the contaminants, and the contact between the air sample and the dye stream occurring not later than the dye streams intersection with the laser beam, whereby chemical reaction between the dye stream and the contaminants change the spectra emitted by said lasing dye;
- and
- b) a collecting means in flow concentration with said chamber for recovering the lasing dye after intersection with the laser beam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.