The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 07, 2011
Filed:
Jul. 10, 2009
Mordechai Rothschild, Newton, MA (US);
Charles M. Wynn, Groton, MA (US);
John J. Zayhowski, Pepperell, MA (US);
Roderick R. Kunz, Acton, MA (US);
Mordechai Rothschild, Newton, MA (US);
Charles M. Wynn, Groton, MA (US);
John J. Zayhowski, Pepperell, MA (US);
Roderick R. Kunz, Acton, MA (US);
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA (US);
Abstract
Methods and devices for detecting the presence of a NO forming material (e.g., a material that can form, or is, a nitrogen monoxide molecule) are disclosed based on detection of fluorescence exhibited by NO molecules in a first vibrationally excited state of a ground electronic state. Such excited NO molecules can be formed, for example, when small amounts of explosives are photodissociated. By inducing fluorescence of the material, a distinct signature of the explosive can be detected. Such techniques can be performed quickly and with a significant standoff distance, which can add to the invention's utility. In another aspection of the invention, methods and apparatus for generating electromagnetic radiation are disclosed. Such methods and apparatus can be used in conjunction with any detection method disclosed herein.