Stimulated Emission and Enhanced Detection of Chemicals and Chemical Compounds

Abstract

A method and apparatus for remotely detecting, locating, and identifying chemicals and chemical compounds through optically opaque materials. Electromagnetic radiation in the Terahertz range emitted from an antenna array is modulated to excite target molecules. The apparatus then stops the excitation energy and the molecules emit an electromagnetic signature detectable by the device at standoff distances.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus to detect target material or materials in a device, object, area or location, comprising:
 an antenna to direct modified THz electromagnetic emission towards a device, object, area or location that may contain target material or materials with molecules alternately subject to excitation when exposed to the modified THz electromagnetic emission; and   a detector to detect signature emissions of excited molecules in the target material or materials;   wherein the modified THz electromagnetic emission is configured to increase current density of the signature emissions.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a modulator to modulate the frequency of the THz electromagnetic emission over the frequency spectrum of the target material or materials.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna is a horn antenna. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the modulator is a sweep frequency generator. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a computer, said computer configured to apply a modulation algorithm and analyze detected signature emissions. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising one or more digital signal processors in communication with said computer. 
     
     
         7 . A method to detect target material or materials in a device, object, area or location, comprising:
 directing a modulated THz electromagnetic emission towards a device, object, area or location that may contain a target material or materials;   increasing emitted excitation electromagnetic radiation total current density from the device, object, area or location by remotely modulating the frequency of the THz electromagnetic emission; and   analyzing emitted excitation electromagnetic radiation from the device, object, area or location to detect signature emissions of excited molecules in the target material or materials.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of analyzing is performed by one or more digital signal processors. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein detection is performed at a standoff distance of at least 10 m. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein detection is performed at a standoff distance of at least 25 m. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein detection is performed at a standoff distance of at least 50 m.