Method and apparatus for detecting embedded material within an interaction region of a structure
First Claim
1. A detection system for use during irradiation of an interaction region of a structure with laser light, the structure comprising embedded material, the detection system comprising:
- an optical system adapted to drill a hole having a depth in a portion of the structure by irradiating the interaction region with the laser light, thereby exposing a portion of the embedded material to air;
a lens positioned to receive light emitted from the interaction region during drilling;
an optical fiber optically coupled to the lens to receive light from the lens; and
a spectrometer optically coupled to the optical fiber to receive light from the optical fiber, the spectrometer adapted for analysis of the light for indications of the embedded material within the interaction region, wherein the detection system is adapted to initiate cessation of drilling upon detecting the indications of the embedded material within the interaction region.
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Abstract
A system and method processes a structure comprising embedded material. The system includes a laser adapted to generate light and to irradiate an interaction region of the structure. The system further includes an optical system adapted to receive light from the interaction region and to generate a detection signal indicative of the presence of embedded material in the interaction region. The system further includes a controller operatively coupled to the laser and the optical system. The controller is adapted to receive the detection signal and to be responsive to the detection signal by selectively adjusting the laser.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A detection system for use during irradiation of an interaction region of a structure with laser light, the structure comprising embedded material, the detection system comprising:
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an optical system adapted to drill a hole having a depth in a portion of the structure by irradiating the interaction region with the laser light, thereby exposing a portion of the embedded material to air; a lens positioned to receive light emitted from the interaction region during drilling; an optical fiber optically coupled to the lens to receive light from the lens; and a spectrometer optically coupled to the optical fiber to receive light from the optical fiber, the spectrometer adapted for analysis of the light for indications of the embedded material within the interaction region, wherein the detection system is adapted to initiate cessation of drilling upon detecting the indications of the embedded material within the interaction region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A detection system for use during irradiation of an interaction region of a structure with laser light, the structure comprising embedded material, the detection system comprising:
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means for drilling a hole in the structure, thereby exposing previously-unexposed embedded material within the interaction region to air; means for collecting light emitted from the interaction region during drilling; means for separating the collected light into a spectrum of wavelengths; and means for analyzing at least a portion of the spectrum and producing a signal indicative of the exposed embedded material within the interaction region, wherein the drilling means is adapted to avoid damaging the irradiated embedded material upon receiving the signal from the analyzing means.
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12. A method of detecting an embedded object within a laser-irradiated interaction region of a structure comprising the embedded object, the method comprising:
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drilling a hole in the structure, thereby exposing the embedded object within the interaction region to air; collecting light from the interaction region during drilling; separating the collected light into a spectrum of wavelengths; analyzing at least a portion of the spectrum for indications of the exposed embedded object within the interaction region, and selectively adjusting the drilling in response to the indications, thereby avoiding substantially damaging the embedded object. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification