Detection and analysis of chemical or biological substances using passive emission spectroscopy

摘要

A system (10) for detecting and analyzing chemical and biological constituents in a sample (12). The system (10) includes a spectrometer (18) for passively receiving emissions (22) from the sample (12) to detect the constituents therein. A cold device (28) is positioned within the field-of-view of the spectrometer (18) at an opposite side of the sample (12) from the spectrometer (18). The cold device (28) provides a low temperature background relative to the sample (12) so as to increase the emissions (22) from the sample (12) and also to reduce the background emission. The system may further comprise a sample chamber (14) for containing the sample. Alternatively, the system may comprise a transmission sample window onto which the sample is provided or the system may be arranged for remotely investigating a sample cloud in the free atmosphere. <IMAGE>