PORTABLE MEMS-BASED SPECTRAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A detector arrangement for detecting a compound that is present in an air sample, the arrangement comprising:
- a chamber for receiving the air sample, said chamber having an inlet and an outlet communicating with the enclosed sensing volume;
a pump arrangement for urging the air sample into said chamber;
an illumination arrangement for causing electromagnetic energy having a first spectral characteristic to be propagated through the air sample;
a sensor having an amplifying fluorescent polymer disposed within said chamber, said sensor being disposed to communicate with the air sample; and
a detector for receiving a portion of the electromagnetic energy, said detector further having an output for issuing an output signal responsive to the spectral characteristic of the received portion of the electromagnetic energy, the received portion of the electromagnetic energy having a second spectral characteristic that differs from the first spectral characteristic in response to the compound.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensing arrangement detects a compound of interest within a gas sample. An amplifying fluorescent polymer produces an output signal that varies in response to an interaction of the amplifying fluorescent polymer with the compound of interest. Additionally, an infrared illumination source produces infrared electromagnetic energy that causes the amplifying fluorescent polymer to generate the output signal. A MEMS detector is positioned to receive the output signal generated by the amplifying fluorescent polymer, and produces an output electrical signal that is responsive to an interaction between the compound of interest and the amplifying fluorescent polymer. The output electrical signal is responsive to a quenching of the output signal of the amplifying fluorescent polymer. A pattern database stoics pattern data corresponding to characteristics of compounds of interest.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A detector arrangement for detecting a compound that is present in an air sample, the arrangement comprising:
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a chamber for receiving the air sample, said chamber having an inlet and an outlet communicating with the enclosed sensing volume; a pump arrangement for urging the air sample into said chamber; an illumination arrangement for causing electromagnetic energy having a first spectral characteristic to be propagated through the air sample; a sensor having an amplifying fluorescent polymer disposed within said chamber, said sensor being disposed to communicate with the air sample; and a detector for receiving a portion of the electromagnetic energy, said detector further having an output for issuing an output signal responsive to the spectral characteristic of the received portion of the electromagnetic energy, the received portion of the electromagnetic energy having a second spectral characteristic that differs from the first spectral characteristic in response to the compound. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A sensing arrangement for detecting a compound of interest within a gas sample, the sensing arrangement comprising:
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an amplifying fluorescent polymer for producing an output signal that varies in response to an interaction of the amplifying fluorescent polymer with the compound of interest; an infrared illumination source for producing infrared electromagnetic energy that causes said amplifying fluorescent polymer to generate the output signal; and a MEMS detector positioned to receive the output signal generated by the amplifying fluorescent polymer, said MEMS detector producing an output electrical signal responsive to an interaction between the compound of interest and said amplifying fluorescent polymer. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A system for detecting explosives of interest from a standoff distance in response to chemical vapors associated with the explosives of interest, The explosives of interest being of the type that absorb infrared energy at predetermined wavelength notches in the 2-20 micron band, the system comprising:
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a chamber for receiving the chemical vapors desired to be detected; a heat source for emitting infrared radiation into said chamber, the infrared radiation having energy in the spectral region of the 2-20 micron band, and a spectrally tuned infrared detector for detecting a change in the infrared energy in the predetermined wavelength notches in the 2-20 micron band. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification