Georgia Tech Research Corporation

David Wayne Roberts

Brent Karl Wagner

Bernd Kahn

Robert L Rosson

Various embodiments of the present invention provide a method of detecting inaccessible radiation sources by measuring corresponding ions and excited molecules created by radiation, using LIDAR technology. The LIDAR system of the present invention employs a pulsed laser transmitter, a telescope receiver, and associated control and acquisition systems. Light propagates out from the laser transmitted and is directed into the volume surrounding the radioactive source, or the 'ion cloud.' The ion cloud absorbs the transmitted light, which induces the non-fluorescing ions to fluoresce. Light from the ion cloud is then backscattered and the telescope receiver subsequently collects the photons from the backscattered light. The intensity of the fluorescence (determined by the photon count) is measured, which provides an indication of the number density of the ionized atoms. Algorithms can then be used to relate the measured ionization rates to the source activity.

Remote detection of radiation

A system and method for measuring the retroreflectivity of materials. The system comprises a light source and a first optical pathway along which an illumination light beam travels originating from the light source and ending at a retroreflective surface to be measured. Also, a second optical pathway is provided along which a retroreflected beam travels back from the retroreflective surface to a sensor array. A processor is electrically coupled to the sensor array with an accompanying memory on which is stored operating logic adapted to determine the intensity of a predetermined pattern of the retroreflected beam incident to the sensor array which defines the retroreflected light which propagates from the retroreflective surface at a predetermined observation angle.

Growing community of inventors

Atlanta, GA, United States of America

David Wayne Roberts