US Government As Represented by the Secretary of the Army

Yale University

Freie Universitaet Berlin

Jean-Pierre Wolf

Richard Kounai Chang

Steven Clyde Hill

Yongle Pan

Ludger Wöeste

Veronique Boutou

The invention relates to a method for material processing and/or material analysis of an object () made from condensed matter by means of a laser (). A laser pulse () is generated by a laser, emitted in the direction of the object. The laser pulse is spatially and temporally focussed such as to give a peak power for the laser pulse at a point between the laser and the object which exceeds the critical power for a self-focussing effect of the laser pulse. The laser pulse thus forms a filament () of high power density. The filament () is directed at the object and generates an aggregation state change there (evaporation or plasma formation) for a part of the material of the object. The method can be applied to both material processing (cutting, drilling, welding, hardening) and material analysis (analysis of the plasma light).

Method for material processing and/or material analysis using lasers

An aerosol deflection system having a concentration zone expelling an air stream through a first detection zone, a second detection zone, and a deflection zone. The first detection zone activates the second detection zone based upon detection of a suspect aerosol of a pre-selected size. The second detection zone activates the deflection zone when the suspect aerosol of the pre-selected size has a predetermined light-induced-fluorescence signature. The deflection zone directs a pressure pulse at the suspect aerosol having the predetermined light-induced-fluorescence signature to deflect the suspect aerosol from the air stream.

Systems and methods for sorting aerosols

Aerosol particle analyzer (APA) for measuring the amount of analyte in airborne particle is described. The APA uses an analysis liquid. In most embodiments, this analysis liquid is chosen so that when it is mixed with the particles, an optical property of the analysis liquid (AL) varies according to the amount of the analyte in the particles. Airborne particles are drawn into the instrument, and detected using optical methods such as light scattering or laser-induced fluorescence. When a particle of interest is detected, a charged droplet of the analysis liquid (CDAL) is ejected so that it collides with the detected particle and moves into a horizontally oriented linear quadrupole that is in an airtight container, except for small orifices to let the CDAL enter and exit. The CDAL is levitated in a high humidity environment so that it evaporates slowly, so that there is time for the reaction between the analyte, if any, and the CDAL can take place, and so that the optical property, typically fluorescence, can be measured. The amount of the analyte in the particle is determined from the measured fluorescence or other optical property. The particles collected into the CDAL can be sent on to other instruments for further analysis, especially to instruments that can analyze such small samples.

Aerosol particle analyzer for measuring the amount of analyte in airborne particles

Growing community of inventors

Lyons, France

Jean-Pierre Wolf