High Sensitivity Rugged Array Detectors for Field Deployed Instruments: Low-Light Level Camera for Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and Ram

Low-light-level photodetector arrays are proposed for detecting the weak optical emission spectra from the trace atoms in the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The proposed semiconductor image intensifier and low-light-level camera utilize the miniaturized and monolithically integrated version of a proven solid-state detector technology, and is expected to be able to detect femto-watts (namely, 10^(-15) of 1 watt) of optical signal on each pixel with a gating time of 1 micro-second. The proposed research and development will significantly increase the sensitivity of the current LIBS chemical sensor systems, and therefore, enable more accurate detection of explosives at larger distances.