Multipulse Agile Laser Source for Real-Time Spark Spectrochemical Hazard Analysis in the Field

The development of high energy lasers capable of double pulse operation using a single laser resonator is a critical subsystem for LIBS applications where high sensitivity is required in a small lightweight package. LIBS researchers have seen sensitivity enhancements of up to a factor of 50X when using a double pulse approach, although to date the way to achieve a double pulse is to use two separate lasers. The objective of this research project is to continue development of single cavity double pulse lasers for LIBS applications that were successfully demonstrated in Phase I. In this research project the development effort will concentrate on two specific laser implementations, one for short range (5m) man-portable LIBS and the other for medium (30-50m) range vehicle-portable LIBS. The main issues to be addressed besides fundamental double pulse operation are: pulse energy, size, weight, power, cooling, and vibration and shock insensitivity.