SBIR Phase I: Microchip-Laser-Based Optical Alloy Analysis Instrument

这个小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目的目标是证明基于微芯片激光激励源的光学合金分析仪器的可行性。该仪器将使用激光诱导等离子体光谱（LIPS）来确定元素组成。与现有的便携式仪器相比，它的优势在于能够测定碳、铝和硅等轻元素的浓度。这项创新的关键是微芯片激光器，它在lip应用中具有几个优势，同时体积小，重量轻，坚固耐用。在第一阶段，将使用实验室的LIPS仪器进行观察，并将为一种仪器制定一套规格，该仪器能够在合金鉴定至关重要的行业中确定潜在客户感兴趣的钢中的碳含量。这一提议涉及与一家在市场上占据主导地位的制造商合作。有了他们的输入，就可以确定最佳的仪器配置，既能提供有用的功能，又易于携带操作。目前，合金鉴定仪器的市场非常强劲，尽管现有的设备要么受到无法确定某些最重要元素的限制，要么在便携性和易用性方面存在重大缺陷。一种具有重要优势的光学设备可能会带来更大的市场。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project has as its goal the demonstration of the feasibility of an optical alloy analysis instrument based on a microchip laser excitation source. This instrument will determine elemental composition using laser-induced plasma spectroscopy (LIPS). It will have the advantage over existing portable instruments of being able to determine concentrations of light elements such as carbon, aluminum and silicon. The key to this innovation is the microchip laser, which has been shown to have several advantages in LIPS applications, while being remarkably small, lightweight and robust. In Phase I observations will be made using a laboratory LIPS apparatus, and a set of specifications will be derived for an instrument capable of determining carbon in steel at levels of interest to potential customers in industries where alloy identification is critical. This proposal involves collaboration with a manufacturer with a dominant position in the market. With their input, the optimum instrument configuration which can offer both useful capabilities and easy, portable operation will be determined.There currently exists a strong market for alloy identification instruments, even though existing devices are either limited by inability to determine some of the most important elements, or by significant drawbacks in portability and ease of use. An optical device with important advantages could lead to a much expanded market.