Patent ID: 6930779
Filing Date: 2005-08-16
Classification: B82Y,G01N

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for detecting the presence of specific target substances in a sample, comprising: a source of coherent radiation pulses of consistent initial shape and duration; a pulse shaper capable of independently controlling a combination of phase, amplitude and polarization of a plurality of the spectral components of said radiation pulses according to a set of control parameters and thereby controlling the shape of the pulses to form re-shaped pulses; system controller means for imposing sets of pulse shaper control parameters based on the specific target substance; means for directing the re-shaped pulses to the sample; and means for measuring the difference between the spectrum of radiation emitted or absorbed by the sample in response to a first re-shaped pulse and the spectrum of radiation emitted or absorbed by the sample in response to a second re-shaped pulse, the control parameters for said first re-shaped pulse and said second re-shaped pulse being selected to provide a significant difference between the response spectra of the target substance and the response spectra of likely background or contaminant substances.