US Government As Represented by the Secretary of the Army

Robert L Pastel

Rosario C Sausa

Richard B Murray

Robert J Lieb

A hand-held probe monitors the presence of trace hazardous materials including nitrocompounds and halogen-containing compounds. The hand-held probe provides real-time and in-situ site characterization and analysis. The probe operates in accordance with a laser photofragmentation/fragment detection technique which employs one or more lasers for photolysis of the analyte molecules and/or facilitating the detection of the characteristic fragments by multiphoton ionization. The probe includes a tunable laser, a pair of miniature electrodes coupled with a fiberoptic cable and lens assembly mounted in a sweep wand, and a data and analysis system. An adjustable laser beam stopper allows for atmospheric sampling or surface analysis at the point of interest. Applications include the detection of nitrocompounds by probing the characteristic NO photofragment and halogenated compounds by probing the respective characteristic halogen atom photofragment. The monitoring of other hazardous materials and pollutants is possible.

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Alamosa, CO, United States of America

Robert L Pastel