Standoff Hyperspectral IED Explosives LIDAR Detector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting explosive materials and residues lack effective standoff detection capabilities, particularly in identifying chemical compounds in complex environments above and below ground surfaces with high specificity and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a laser light source to illuminate targets, generating luminescence, scattered, and plasma emitted photons, which are then analyzed using fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy, and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) with a fiber array spectral translator device and spectrograph to produce spatially resolved spectra and images, and applying a fusion algorithm to identify chemical compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple spectroscopy methods (fluorescence, Raman, LIBS) are combined to improve detection accuracy and chemical compound identification, then measurement precision and reliability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines fluorescence spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and LIBS detection paths into a single integrated system. Multiple optical systems share common components including the laser light source, fiber array spectral translator device, and spectrograph, allowing simultaneous acquisition of multiple spectral types through different optical pathways
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber array spectral translator device serves multiple functions by directing different photon types (luminescence, scattered, plasma emitted) to appropriate detection pathways. The system can operate in multiple detection modes (fluorescence imaging, Raman spectroscopy, LIBS) using a unified platform, reducing overall system complexity despite the multi-method approach
2Reliability
If standoff detection is implemented to enable remote detection of explosive materials, then safety and operational capability improve, but measurement precision deteriorates due to signal attenuation over distance
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pulsed laser illumination to excite the target, with each pulse generating a transient signal that is captured by synchronized detection. The pulsed operation allows time-gated detection to separate the signal from background noise, maintaining sensitivity at standoff distances
Solution Approach 2:
Optical fibers serve as intermediaries to transmit photons from the remote target back to the detection system. The fiber array spectral translator device efficiently collects and directs photons over long optical paths with minimal loss, enabling standoff detection while preserving signal strength
3Measurement precision
If spatially resolved spectral data is collected to identify chemical compounds in complex environments, then measurement precision improves, but loss of time increases due to the complexity of data acquisition and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber array spectral translator device pre-sorts and directs different photon types to appropriate detection pathways before full spectral analysis begins. This preliminary optical sorting reduces the complexity of subsequent data processing by organizing signals according to their spectral characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a two-dimensional array of detection elements to simultaneously capture spatial and spectral information. This dimensional approach allows parallel processing of multiple spatial locations with their respective spectra, reducing total acquisition time while maintaining chemical identification accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for standoff detection of explosives and explosive residue. A laser light source illuminates a target area having an unknown sample producing luminescence emitted photons, scattered photons and plasma emitted photons. A first optical system directs light to the target area. A video capture device outputs a dynamic image of the target area. A second optical system collects photons, and directs collected photons to a first two-dimensional array of detection elements and/or to a fiber array spectral translator device which device includes a two-dimensional array of optical fibers drawn into a one-dimensional fiber stack. A spectrograph is coupled to the one-dimensional fiber stack of the fiber array spectral translator device, wherein the entrance slit of the spectrograph is coupled to the one dimensional fiber stack.