Introduction

Apparatus for the ILS (Integrated Laser Sensor) spectroscopic analysis of a remote target using a sequence of laser induced plasma spectroscopy (LIBS), Raman spectroscopy and Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) + diffuse reflectance (DR) spectroscopy. The set of these techniques allows to determine the state of the surface of a material to be analyzed, the molecular and elemental composition even with the stratigraphy in the first 2-3 mm.

Technical features

The apparatus allows the ILS (Integrated Laser Sensor) spectroscopic analysis of a remote target through a sequence of laser induced plasma spectroscopic techniques (LIBS), Raman spectroscopy and Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) + diffuse reflectance (DR) . The set of these techniques allows to determine the state of the surface of a material to be analyzed (roughness, presence of organic or particle contamination, variation of the material from one point to another), the molecular and elementary composition also with stratigraphy in the first 2-3 mm.

The ILS device created is equipped with auto-focus for targets 9-30 meters away and automatically scans the selected areas through an external video camera, with the density of the points chosen by the operator. The recognition of substances inserted in the database of the instrument is in real time, currently implemented to find traces of explosives and their precursors, showing on the screen the position of the identified substance. The transition from one spectroscopic technique to another is completely automatic. The control of the instrument is wireless allowing the control of robots in dangerous areas. The tool is easy to use thanks to the dedicated software (property of ENEA).

The advantages of this very high performance system, compared to those used to date, are essentially two: it is the only one that automatically performs all these types of measurements and also allows scanning on large surfaces. The described apparatus may be of potential interest to various sectors of industry, public administration, law enforcement, etc.

Possible Applications

• Detection of explosive and toxic materials;
• Analysis of construction materials and their degradation analysis of cultural heritage;
• Classification of recycled materials and measurement of any contamination;
• Quality monitoring in industrial processes (including food and pharmaceutical sectors);
• Forensic measures (organic traces etc.).

Advantages

• Automatic customized scanning even on large surfaces;
• Auto-focus;
• Application to different sectors.