Patent ID: 8502168

Claim:
A handheld photoemission spectroscopy detection system comprising: a miniature scanning detection system operating in the ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum comprising an excitation light source to generate excitation energy including a central ray, wherein the excitation light source is modulated within a range of about 100 Hz to 3000 Hz, an ultraviolet fluorescence detector to detect a plurality of emissions produced by the excitation energy, and a synchronous detector synchronized to a phase or a frequency of the excitation light source to detect a signal of interest from the plurality of emissions; a distance sensor to determine a distance to a target of the plurality of emissions based on the signal of interest; a processor coupled to the synchronous detector, the processor receiving spectral data from the signal of interest; and a database coupled to said processor that includes signature data for a plurality of predetermined chemical substances to compare to the spectral data.