A method of assaying a solid or liquid material, the method comprising: illuminating a sample of the material with pulses of light at a plurality of different wavelengths at which atoms and/or molecules in the material are ionized in multiphoton ionization (MPI) process; generating a value responsive to charge produced in the ionization process for each wavelength to provide an MPI spectrum for the material; and processing the MPI spectrum to assay an atom or molecule in the material.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the invention relate to apparatus and methods for nondestructive assaying components of a solid material.

BACKGROUND

Absorption spectroscopy methods are methods for assaying components of a material responsive to absorption of electromagnetic radiation by the material. Common to practice of many of the methods, a material to be assayed is exposed to electromagnetic radiation at a plurality of different wavelengths of the radiation. At each wavelength, absorption of the radiation is directly or indirectly measured to determine its absorption by the material as a function of wavelength. The absorption of the electromagnetic radiation as a function of wavelength is referred to as an “absorption spectrum” for the material.

The absorption spectrum comprises contributions from absorption spectra of atoms and molecules that the material contains, each of which has its own unique absorption spectrum. The absorption spectrum for the material is processed to identify absorption spectra of atoms or molecules that contribute to the material's absorption spectrum, and amounts by which they contribute to the absorption spectrum. The identified spectra and amounts are used to identify and assay atoms and molecules that the material comprises.

Absorption spectroscopy is typically used to assay materials in a gaseous state. Absorption spectroscopy of solids in their naturally occurring states under ambient conditions of atmosphere and temperature generally suffers from spectral line broadening that makes it complicated and difficult to use absorption spectroscopy to assay components of the solids or liquids. A spectral line of an atom or molecule marks a generally narrow band of wavelengths (or frequencies) in the electromagnetic spectrum associated with a difference between two different energy states of the atom or molecule at which it absorbs or emits energy. Every atom or molecule has its own unique family of spectral lines. The family of spectral lines, defines, the atom's or molecule's emission and absorption spectrum. When referring to absorption of electromagnetic energy by the atom or molecule, the family of spectral lines is referred to as the atom's or molecule's absorption spectrum. Broadening of a spectral line of an atom or molecule refers to an increase, a “broadening”, of the range of energies, and therefore of wavelength band, at which the atom or molecule can absorb energy to make a transition been energy states associated with the spectral line.

Spectral line broadening of an atom or molecule in a solid is generated not only in accordance with the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, which puts a lower limit on a spectral line width associated with a given state transition of an atom or molecule. Interaction of the atom or molecule with other components of the densely packed material characteristic of the solid, and Doppler shifts due to random thermal motion of the atom or molecule contribute to its spectral line broadening.

Spectral line broadening in a solid or liquid in a natural state and under ambient conditions is typically so large that spectral lines of different atoms and/or molecules in the solid tend to overlap substantially. It is therefore difficult, if at all practically possible, to identify an atom or molecule in a solid or liquid from an absorption spectrum acquired for the solid or liquid in its natural state and under ambient atmospheric and temperature conditions. As a result, absorption spectroscopy assaying of solids and liquid performed under ambient conditions has not generally been useful.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of the invention provides apparatus, hereinafter referred to as a multi-photon ionization (MPI) spectrometer, and methods for acquiring an absorption spectrum for a solid or liquid under ambient conditions responsive to a multi-photon ionization (MPI) process, and assaying components of the solid responsive to the absorption spectrum.

An MPI process is a process in which a plurality of photons interacts with an atom or molecule, hereinafter generically referred to as a molecule, to ionize the molecule. By way of example, in a two photon MPI process, a first photon raises an electron in a molecule to an excited state, and a second photon interacts with the molecule before the excited state decays, to add sufficient energy to the electron to free it from, and ionize the molecule. In some MPI processes both photons simultaneously interact with the molecule to free an electron from and ionize the molecule. In an MPI process involving more than two photons, at least two photons interact with a molecule to either raise an electron to an excited state or free the excited electron.

In an embodiment of the invention, an MPI spectrometer comprises a tunable laser and a controller that controls the laser to illuminate a region of a solid being assayed by the MPI spectrometer with pulses of laser light at a plurality of different wavelengths at which light is absorbed by the solid and ionizes material in the solid by MPI processes. At each wavelength, the MPI spectrometer measures current generated by charges produced by the MPI processes to provide a measure of the absorption of light by the solid as a function of wavelength. The absorption of light by MPI processes as a function of wavelength provided by the MPI spectrometer is referred to hereinafter as an “MPI spectrum” of the solid.

Different molecules comprised in the solid have their own distinctive MPI spectra, which contribute to the MPI spectrum acquired for the solid by the MPI spectrometer in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The acquired MPI spectrum exhibits a relatively dense population of wavelength resolved features. The features are used to identify an MPI spectrum of a molecule in the solid that contributes to the solid's MPI spectrum, and to determine concentration of the molecule in the solid.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the MPI spectrometer provides current measurements by integrating current for each pulse provided by the laser during an integration period following transmission of the pulse. Duration and timing of the integration period following transmission of a pulse are determined to provide an acceptable signal to noise ratio (SNR) for the integrated current measurements. Build up of a space charge field in the MPI spectrometer that might interfere with current measurements is moderated by providing sufficient drainage of positive charge produced by the ionization process that accumulates in the solid. Intensity of light in the pulses is monitored and adjusted to moderate intensity changes that might bias and introduce errors in the current measurements and thereby in the MPI spectrum of the solid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following, a general description of an MPI spectrometer in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is given with reference toFIG. 1. An exemplary numerical specification of an embodiment of the invention having a configuration similar to that shown inFIG. 1is then provided. MPI spectra for the explosives RDX and TATP acquired under ambient atmospheric and temperature conditions using an MPI spectrometer in accordance with an embodiment of the invention are presented inFIG. 2,FIG. 3AandFIG. 3Bshow MPI spectra acquired respectively for the psychedelic molecules MDMA (ecstasy) and methamphetamine using an MPI spectrometer in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.FIG. 3Cis a simulation of an MPI spectrum generated by a computer for a mixture of ecstasy and methamphetamine. Comparison of the spectrum inFIG. 3Cwith the spectra inFIGS. 3A and 3Bindicates that an MPI spectrum acquired by an MPI spectrometer in accordance with an embodiment of the invention for a solid material comprising the psychedelic molecules could be processed to quantitatively assay their presence in the material.

FIG. 1schematically shows a multi-photon ionization (MPI) spectrometer20assaying a sample of a solid material22, hereinafter also referred to as a “target22” or “target material22”, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

MPI spectrometer20comprises a tunable laser light source30controllable by a controller40to provide light, represented by dashed, arrowed lines32, at a plurality of different wavelengths in a range of wavelengths at which light ionizes material in target22by MPI processes.

Target22is held, optionally under ambient atmospheric conditions of temperature and pressure, by a target holder50housed in a Faraday cage52formed having an aperture53through which light30from laser light source30passes to illuminate the target. Target holder50optionally comprises a support platform54having a first electrode55and optionally a support plate56that rests on the first electrode and on which target22is positioned. A second electrode57is displaced from and located over support plate56and is formed so that it does not prevent light32from laser light source30from illuminating target22. Optionally, second electrode57is formed having an aperture58through which light passes to illuminate the solid. In some embodiments of the invention, second electrode57comprises a mesh electrode. In some embodiments, second electrode57is formed from a suitable conducting material, such as a polycrystalline or amorphous semiconductor oxide, by way of example ZnO, In2O3and/or SnO2that is transparent to light30.

In some embodiments, electrode57is formed having a needle shape and, optionally, is moveable relative to the target22so that its needle point can be positioned at different locations over the target. By moving the needle electrode to different locations relative to the target22, MPI spectrometer can spatially scan the target and acquire MPI spectra for different regions of the target.

Intensity of light from laser light source30that illuminates target22is optionally monitored by a beam splitter34and an optical sensor35. Beam splitter34directs a portion of light30provided by the laser light source to sensor35. Sensor35generates signals responsive to intensity of the light it receives from the beam splitter and transmits the signals to controller40. Controller40controls an attenuator36responsive to the received signals to control intensity of light from laser light source30that illuminates target22. Light that passes through beam splitter34is focused on target22by a suitable optical system, schematically represented by, and referred to, as a lens37.

A power supply60maintains second electrode57, hereinafter also referred to as anode57, at a positive potential relative to first electrode55, hereinafter also referred to as cathode55, and generates an electric field in the space between them. Cathode55is connected to a current amplifier62that senses and amplifies current flowing between the cathode and the anode, and inputs the amplified current to controller40.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, controller40controls laser light source30to illuminate a region of target22with a plurality of pulses of light32for each of a plurality of different wavelengths at which light ionizes material in the solid by an MPI process. Light32from each pulse at each wavelength is absorbed by and ionizes molecules in the target in an MPI process, freeing electrons from the molecules and ejecting them from the target. The ejected electrons are accelerated toward anode57by the potential difference generated by power supply60between the anode and cathode55and drift to, and are collected by, the anode. The drifting electrons produce a current between the anode and cathode, which is sensed and amplified by amplifier62and input to controller40.

For each light pulse at a given wavelength, the amplified current is integrated by controller40during an integration period between first and second, respectively “start” and “stop”, times to accumulate a charge, hereinafter an “MPI charge”. The MPI charge is a measure of a total number of electrons produced by the MPI process engendered by light32at the given wavelength from the light pulse and therefore of absorption of light by the target at the given wavelength.

In an embodiment of the invention, the MPI charges acquired for the plurality of light pulses that illuminate the target with light32at a given wavelength are averaged and normalized to an average energy per pulse incident on the target to provide a measurement of the absorption of light32by the target at the wavelength. The plurality of absorption measurements acquired at the different wavelengths at which MPI spectrometer20illuminates target22provide an MPI spectrum for the target. In an embodiment of the invention, MPI spectrometer20comprises a processor (not shown) that processes the MPI spectrum to assay a component or components of the target that contribute to the MPI spectrum. The processor may be housed separately from other components of the controller.

Any of various methods may be used to determine components that contribute to an MPI spectrum in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Optionally, controller40comprises a look up table (LUT) of MPI spectra of atoms and molecules that may contribute to MPI spectra of target materials assayed by the MPI spectrometer. Any of various multivariate analysis or pattern recognition algorithms may be used to determine how much each of a plurality of the LUT MPI spectra contributes to an MPI spectrum of a given target material. The determined amounts of the contributions are used to provide an assay of the target material.

For example, in an embodiment of the invention, a given MPI spectrum acquired by MPI spectrometer20is assumed to be a linear combination of component MPI spectra archived in the LUT. Coefficients of the component spectra are determined optionally by a least squares fit. The coefficients are used to determine concentrations in the target material of molecules associated with the component spectra.

It is noted that in the discussion above, pulses of laser light32are described as characterized by light at a single wavelength. In some embodiments of the invention, laser light32comprises light at a first wavelength chosen to excite an electron of a particular molecule from a given first energy state to a given second, excited energy state, and light at a second wavelength chosen to add a given amount of energy to the excited electron to free it from the molecule. Optionally, the second wavelength is chosen so that the light adds a minimum amount of energy needed to free the electron from the second, excited, state and ionize the molecule. By configuring light32to comprise light at wavelengths that “pick out” and excite particular excited energy states of a molecule and add minimum amounts of energy to free electrons from the particular excited states, MPI20can acquire MPI spectra having enhanced specificity for the molecule.

In an example of an embodiment of the invention, laser light source30comprises an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) pumped by a frequency doubled third harmonic of a Nd:YAG laser (355 nm). Lens37is optionally a quartz lens having a focal length of 20 cm located about 10 cm from support plate56. Anode57and cathode55are separated by about 10 mm, and power supply60maintains a potential difference of about 2 kV between the electrodes. Current amplifier62, optionally a Keithley 428 amplifier, operates with a response time between about 1 microsecond and about 3 microseconds at a gain of between about 106volts per ampere (V/A) to about 107V/A.

To provide an MPI spectrum having density of features advantageous for resolving different molecules in a target material22, controller40controls laser light source30to illuminate the target with a plurality of pulses of light at each of a plurality wavelengths spaced every 0.1 nanometers (nm) in a range of wavelengths from about 220 nm to about 355 nm. In an embodiment of the invention, the number of the plurality of pulses is greater than 10. In some embodiments of the invention, the number of the plurality is greater than 20. Optionally, the number is greater than 50. Optionally, the widths of the pulses are equal to or less than about 5 ns. Optionally, the pulse widths are less than or equal to about 1 ns. In some embodiments of the invention, pulse widths are less than 500 picoseconds (ps). Optionally the pulse width is equal to about 10 ps. Controller40controls intensity of light32provided by laser light source30so that from pulse to pulse, intensity varies less than a predetermined amount from a normative intensity. Optionally, the controller controls intensity of light32so that the pulse to pulse intensity variance is less than 10% of the normative intensity. In an embodiment of the invention, the normative intensity for 5 ns pulse widths is determined to be an intensity for which a pulse of laser light30imaged by lens37on target22delivers between about 1 Joule/cm2(J/cm2) and about 2 J/cm2to the target.

Ionization of, and removal of electrons from, target22by the MPI processes engendered by the light pulses provided by laser light source30, leaves positive ions in the target material. To maintain current of the freed electrons from cathode55to anode57, and prevent buildup of positive charge in the target from reducing or stopping the current, accumulated positive charge is neutralized by flow of electrons from the cathode into target material22.

In an embodiment of the invention, support plate56is configured to provide sufficient conductivity by contact with target material22to support a satisfactory flow of electrons from the cathode to the target material. However, the support plate advantageously not only provides appropriate conductivity, but is formed so that light30does not ionize material in the support plate and thereby generate electrons which might contaminate the electron current generated by MPI processes that is used to determine an MPI spectrum for the target.

In some embodiments of the invention, support plate56is conductive and contact of target material22with the support plate enables flow of electrons into the target. For wavelengths of light pulses greater than 270 nm, support plate56is advantageously formed from platinum (Pt). Platinum has a relatively high ionization potential and light at wavelengths greater than 270 nm does not ionize platinum. It is noted that for MPI spectrometer20in which the support plate56is formed from a conductive material such as Pt, the support plate and cathode55may of course be one and the same, with support plate56also functioning as the cathode.

For wavelengths of light32in light pulses provided by laser light source30between 220 nm and about 270 nm, support plate56is optionally formed from quartz. Quartz has a relatively high ionization potential equal to 10.2 electron volts (ev), that is substantially higher than the 5.64 ev energy of a photon having wavelength 220 nm, which is a highest energy photon in the range 220-270 nm. As a result, light32does not ionize the quartz, and generate photoelectrons therefrom that might contaminate measurements of current generated by an MPI process of the light with target material22.

However, quartz is an insulator and does not on its own support current to target material22. Current for neutralizing positive charge buildup in the material is mediated by a thin layer of water that under ambient conditions adheres to surfaces of quartz. The effectiveness of a support plate56formed from quartz in providing conductive contact of target material22to cathode55is a function of geometry and dimensions of the support plate. Advantageously, quartz support plate56is disc shaped and has a thickness equal to between about 0.5 mm and about 1.5 mm and a radius between about 5 mm and about 15 mm. Optionally, the thickness is between about 0.7 mm and about 1.3 mm. In an embodiment of the invention, thickness is equal to about 1 mm. Optionally, the radius is between about 8 mm and about 12 mm. In an embodiment of the invention thickness is equal to about 10 mm.

In an embodiment of the invention, integration start and stop times are determined responsive to current between the cathode55and anode57as a function of time. Generally, in the first 5 microseconds following transmission of a laser light pulse by laser light source30to illuminate target22, the current exhibits transients, which appear to be caused by displacement currents and laser noise. Therefore, an integration start time in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, is advantageously a time later than 5 microseconds following radiation of the pulse.

In a normal atmosphere, current generated between cathode55and anode57by electrons released from target22by MPI processes is produced by drift of most of the electrons, hereinafter “free electrons”, towards the anode, and by drift of oxygen molecules that have captured some of the electrons toward the anode. The free electrons have a much higher drift velocity in the field between the cathode and anode generated by power supply60than do the charged oxygen molecules. Therefore, following the period in which strong transients are exhibited, the current as a function of time exhibits a first period having duration of about 5 microseconds in which the current is relatively strong and dominated by drift of free electrons. The first period is followed by an extended second period during which the current is due to the slower drifting charged oxygen molecules and decays. As the current decays, a signal to noise ratio (SNR) for signals produced by amplifier62responsive to the current decreases. An integration stop time in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is determined as a time at which the SNR for the amplifier signals decreases to a value less than or about equal to a predetermined SNR. In an embodiment of the invention, the predetermined SNR is equal to 10. Optionally, the predetermined SNR is equal to 8. Optionally, the predetermined SNR is equal to 6. For the configuration of MPI spectrometer given above, the SNR decreases to about 6 at about 200 microseconds following the start time.

It is noted that in a dry nitrogen atmosphere in which there are no, or very little, oxygen molecules, current between cathode55and anode57is due almost entirely to fast drifting free electrons. There is no current due to slow drifting charged oxygen molecules, and a stop time is advantageously a time equal to about 5 microseconds following the start time, resulting in very short integration times relative to integrations times noted above (200 microseconds) for use of MPI spectrometer20in ambient air. The shorter integration times allow for acquiring an MPI measurement at each wavelength by exposing target22to many more pulses of light32than is generally convenient when operating MPI spectrometer20in ambient air. The increased number of light pulses provides an improved SNR for the measurements.

FIG. 2shows a graph80of MPI spectrum81and82for the explosives RDX and TATP respectively, acquired under ambient conditions by an MPI spectrometer similar to MPI spectrometer20shown inFIG. 1. The abscissa of the graph shows wavelength scaled in nanometers. The ordinate shows MPI charge accumulated for each wavelength in arbitrary units. The spectrometer specification was similar to that described above for the exemplary embodiment and operated with 5 ns pulses. Spectra81and82are useable to detect presence of RDX and TATP in quantities as small as small as a few picomoles at 95% confidence level.

MPI spectra for other explosives, such as HMX, TEN and TNT, drugs such as MDA (3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine) and THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), and various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), such as melamine, anthracene and chrysene, were acquired using an MPI spectrometer in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, and similarly indicated detection sensitivities of a few picomoles at 95% confidence level.

FIG. 3Ashows a graph90of an MPI spectrum91acquired for the psychedelic molecule MDMA (ecstasy). The MPI spectrum exhibits a exhibits a relatively rich structure of peaks and valleys unique to ecstasy dominated by a relatively large prong92at a wavelength of about 294 nm and a cascade93of three peaks to the left of the prong.

FIG. 3Bshows a graph100of an MPI spectrum101acquired for the psychedelic molecule methamphetamine. The MPI spectrum exhibits a defining structure102of peaks and valleys in a wavelength region from about 244 nm to about 264 nm.

FIG. 3Cshows a graph110of a simulated MPI spectrum111generated by a computer for a mixture of ecstasy and methamphetamine. A region112of MPI spectrum111exhibits a large prong113at 294 nm and a cascade114of three peaks having strong resemblance to respectively large prong92at 294 nm and cascade93of three peaks in MPI spectrum90shown inFIG. 3Afor ecstasy. Region112is identifiable with ecstasy and indicates the presence of ecstasy in the mixture. A region115of MPI spectrum111for the mixture between 244 nm and 264 nm bears strong resemblance to structure102of peaks and valleys in a wavelength region from about 244 nm to about 264 nm in MPI spectrum100for methamphetamine. Region115is identifiable with methamphetamine and indicates the presence of methamphetamine in the mixture.

The structure of MPI spectrum110and its readily identifiable ecstasy and methamphetamine MPI spectra, indicate that an MPI spectrum acquired by an MPI spectrometer in accordance with an embodiment of the invention for a solid material comprising a mixture of the psychedelic molecules may be processed to quantitatively assay their presence in the material. However, practice of an embodiment of the invention is of course not limited to assaying ecstasy and methamphetamine or mixtures comprising two components. MPI spectrometers and methods may be used in general to assay multi-component solids and liquids.

Descriptions of embodiments of the invention in the present application are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The described embodiments comprise different features, not all of which are required in all embodiments of the invention. Some embodiments utilize only some of the features or possible combinations of the features. Variations of embodiments of the invention that are described, and embodiments of the invention comprising different combinations of features noted in the described embodiments, will occur to persons of the art. The scope of the invention is limited only by the claims.