Broadband Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectrometer (LIBS) for bio-agent detection

A broadband laser-induced breakdown spectrometer (LIBS) is proposed for the stand-off detection of bio-agents. The LIBS instrument will use a pulsing, high-powered laser to ablate contaminants and then record the spectral information emitted from theresulting plasma using a flash Fourier transform spectrometer (FFTS). This research will determine the feasibility of using the LIBS technique for bio-agent detection. It will also determine the optimum laser wavelength for ablation, the optimumspectrometer wavelengths for detection, and the appropriate algorithms for bio-agent identification. The FFTS will be capable of measuring the spectrum from 0.2 - 15 microns, if necessary. Key attributes of the instrument include ruggedness, reliability,and high efficiency. Will provide the Air Force with a portable spectrometer capable of detecting bio-agents from a range of a few meters to 20 meters. The instrument would be especially useful to military and emergency responders such as police,firefighters, and medical personnel. Commercial instruments can be used by spectroscopists interested in applying the LIBS technique to the identification of toxic metals in paint and soil, spectroscopic analysis of fire suppressants and refrigerants, andfor general gas chromatography. The instrument can be used to analyze the amount of carbon in soils to better understand global warming, and a flight version could be used for planetary exploration to determine elemental, mineralogical, and biologicalinformation, especially on Mars. When used in a LIDAR mode it can yield information on atmospheric properties.