Spectroscopy system for the detection of chemicals

A method of detecting a chemical species at a stand-off distance using a spectroscopy system, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a first beam of light at a first wavelength incident to the chemical species, the first beam of light causing the chemical species to emit a signal;
• providing a second beam of light at a second wavelength, the second beam of light causing a photochemical reaction in the chemical species to shift a spectrum of the signal emitted by the chemical species;
• providing a detector positioned to detect the signal emitted from the chemical species;
• and
• providing a data processor system in communication with the detector to process the signal to determine the identity of the chemical species.

A method of detecting a chemical species at a stand-off distance using a spectroscopy system, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a modulated light source emitting a first beam of light at a first wavelength incident to the chemical species, the first beam of light causing the chemical species to emit a signal;
• providing a spectral shifter emitting a second beam of light at a second wavelength, the second beam of light causing a photochemical reaction in the chemical species to shift a spectrum of the chemical species;
• providing a detector positioned to detect the signal from the chemical species;
• and
• providing a data processor system in communication with at least one of the detector and the modulated light source, the data processor system processing the signal to determine the identity of the chemical species.

A spectroscopy system for detecting a chemical species at a stand-off distance, the system comprising:

• a first light source capable of emitting a first beam of light at a first wavelength incident to the chemical species, the first beam of light causing the chemical species to emit a signal;
• a second light source capable of emitting a second beam of light at a second wavelength, the second beam of light causing a photochemical reaction in the chemical species to shift a spectrum of the light emitted from the chemical species;
• a detector positioned to detect the signal emitted from the chemical species;
• and
• a data processor system in communication with the detector to process the signal to determine the identity of the chemical species.