Compact Target Detection Using Fluorescent Taggants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current target detection systems marked with fluorescent taggants are large, bulky, and consume excessive power, making them unsuitable for individual operation, particularly in military settings where compact and low-power solutions are necessary.
Innovation Solution
A compact target system utilizing a low-power continuous wave light source, front-end optics, an optical filter, and photodetectors to detect and differentiate between elastic scatter and fluorescent light, enabling target detection, range determination, taggant presence confirmation, and discrimination through amplitude and phase analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If active light source with large peak powers is used to achieve detection beyond kilometer range, then detection range is improved, but system size, weight and power consumption increase making it unsafe and impractical for individual operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces fluorescent taggants as intermediary substances that absorb light from a low-power source and re-emit it at different wavelengths. This mediator enables long-range detection by converting the problem of insufficient light power into a wavelength transformation problem, where the taggant acts as an optical amplifier without requiring high peak power lasers
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the wavelength parameter of light through fluorescent emission. By detecting light at the fluorescent emission wavelength rather than the excitation wavelength, the system achieves enhanced detection capability. The optical filter separates the fluorescent signal from the excitation light, enabling detection with low-power continuous wave sources instead of high-power pulsed sources
2Measurement precision
If active light source with large peak powers is used to achieve detection beyond kilometer range, then detection range is improved, but system size and weight increase making it impractical for individual operation
Solution Approach 1:
The fluorescent taggant serves as an intermediary that enables long-range detection without requiring heavy high-power laser systems. The taggant absorbs energy from a lightweight continuous wave light source and re-emits it, effectively extending detection range while keeping the system portable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical amplification approach (using larger mirrors, lenses, and higher power lasers) with a chemical/optical approach (using fluorescent taggants with high emission quantum yields). This substitution dramatically reduces system weight while maintaining or enhancing detection capability
3Measurement precision
If optical filter is used to separate elastic light scatter and fluorescent light, then signal discrimination is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system exploits the color (wavelength) change that occurs during fluorescent emission. The optical filter is designed to pass the fluorescent emission wavelength while blocking the excitation wavelength and elastic scatter. This wavelength-based separation simplifies the detection architecture compared to more complex signal processing approaches
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides effective target detection, range determination, taggant confirmation, and discrimination while being small and low-power enough for individual operation, offering improved safety and portability compared to existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
The light source generates a light beam that is intensity modulated at a modulation frequency
Implementation Method 2
collects the resulting return light from the target
Implementation Method 3
separates out elastic light scatter and fluorescent light in the collected light
Implementation Method 4
directs the return light to the optical filter, which separates out elastic light scatter and fluorescent light
Implementation Method 5
The intensities of the elastic light scatter and the fluorescent light are then separately detected by the first and second photodetectors
Implementation Method 6
A target of interest may be marked (tagged) with a taggant by dispersing the taggant in the vicinity of the target using an explosive detonation or projectile, thereby coating the target with the taggant
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the disclosure provide a target system that is small and low power. In one embodiment, the target system transmits an intensity modulated light beam to a target (which may be tagged with a fluorescent taggant), collects the resulting return light from the target, and separates out elastic light scatter and fluorescent light in the collected light. The intensities of the elastic light scatter and the fluorescent light are then separately detected by first and second photodetectors, respectively. The first photodetector generates an elastic scatter detection signal based on the detected elastic light scatter and the second photodetector generates a fluorescent detection signal based on the detected fluorescent light. The elastic scatter detection signal and/or the fluorescent detection signal are used to provide one or more of the following functions: 1) target detection, 2) range determination, 3) taggant detection, and 4) taggant discrimination/confirmation.