Laser detection system having an output beam directed through a telescope
Inventors
Dottery, Ed • Pohl, Kenneth • VUNCK, Darius • Waterbury, Robert • Vilardi, Frank
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9157801-B2
Publication Date
2015-10-13
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system comprises a processing system, a laser system, a telescope system, a detector system and optical systems operatively arranged such that the laser system may be capable of outputting multiple wavelengths to a common telescope system, and the detector system is capable of receiving signatures from the same telescope system, under the control of a control system. The processor system processes signals received from the detector system to determine substances identified by known signatures. For example, a plurality of detectors in the detector system each receive a range of wavelengths of the signatures received by the telescope system. For example, a variable beam diverger and variable beam expander operatively control expansion and divergence of the output the laser system. For example, a beam reducer and lenslet array may operatively transmit signatures via optical fiber bundle to one or more of the detectors.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention relates to a laser detection system for stand-off detection of electromagnetic signatures of substances on a target surface. A telescope system is arranged with a laser system so that an output beam is directed through the telescope system to the target surface, while electromagnetic signatures are captured through the same telescope system and directed to an optical component that includes a reflective surface for reflecting the output beam and/or the electromagnetic signatures.
The detector system includes an optical system, at least one spectrometer operatively coupled to the optical system, and a processing unit that analyzes electrical signals from the at least one spectrometer. The optical system of the detector system is optically coupled to the telescope system via the optical component, and a control unit controls the laser system, the telescope system, and the detector system so that signatures are capable of being detected at a stand-off distance.
The invention further includes optical elements of the laser system including a variable beam expander and a variable beam diverger. At least a portion of the output beam passes through the variable beam expander and the variable beam diverger prior to being directed to the telescope system, supporting selectable stand-off ranges and routing return signature wavelengths for spectroscopic detection through dedicated optical routing to detectors or spectrometers.
Claims Coverage
The claims coverage centers on 10 inventive features.
Stand-off detection using a shared telescope for outgoing beam and returned signatures
A laser detection system arranged such that a telescope directs an output beam through the telescope system onto a target surface, and electromagnetic signatures are captured through the same telescope system and directed to an optical component.
Reflective optical component coupled between telescope and detector optics
An optical component with a reflective surface reflects the output beam, and the detector system optical system is optically coupled to the telescope system via the optical component.
Spectrometer-based detection with processing unit analysis
A detector system comprising an optical system, at least one spectrometer operatively coupled to the optical system, and a processing unit such that electrical signals from the at least one spectrometer are analyzed.
Coordinated control for stand-off signature detection
A control unit controlling the laser system, the telescope system and the detector system such that signatures are capable of being detected at a stand-off distance.
Variable beam expander and variable beam diverger before the telescope
The optical elements of the laser system include a variable beam expander and a variable beam diverger operatively arranged so that at least a portion of the output beam passes through the variable beam expander and the variable beam diverger prior to being directed to the telescope system.
Eye-safe stand-off detection using selectable focal lengths and spectrometer activation timing
A configuration selecting the focal length of the output beam of the laser system, the focal length of the telescope system, and a spectrometer triggering time delay to enable eye-safe detection of electromagnetic signatures of substances on a target surface at stand-off distances of fifty meters or greater.
Extended stand-off detection using selectable focal lengths and spectrometer activation timing
A configuration selecting the laser output beam focal length, the telescope focal length, and a spectrometer triggering time delay to enable detection of electromagnetic signatures of substances on a target surface at stand-off distances of three hundred meters or greater.
Raman multi-wavelength stimulation from a single-wavelength source using coated reflective optical elements
A laser system configured so that a single-wavelength source output is modified by optical elements into a multi-wavelength beam that can selectively stimulate Raman signatures from substances on a target surface, with multiple wavelengths coupled to a telescope system through the same coated optical component that reflects those wavelengths.
Wavelength splitting to multiple spectrometers using dichroic or multi-chroic filters
The system configured with multiple spectrometers and an optical system using at least one dichroic or multi-chroic filter to split incoming signature wavelengths into separate first and second spectrometers for different wavelength ranges.
Optical fiber bundle with 81 fibers in a circular array
The optical fiber bundle includes 81 optical fibers arranged in a circular array within the outer square of the lenslet array.
The claims are directed to stand-off laser detection using a single telescope to direct the outgoing output beam and capture return electromagnetic signatures, with reflective optical coupling to a spectrometer-based detector and processing unit. Additional features include a variable beam expander and variable beam diverger before the telescope, selectable focal lengths and spectrometer triggering time delay for eye-safe and extended stand-off detection, Raman-oriented multi-wavelength generation, wavelength splitting to multiple spectrometers, and a specific optical fiber bundle structure.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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