Jmar Demos DP-LIBS Laser

Jmar Technologies Inc. demonstrated a portable, double-pulse (DP) laser technology intended for real-time spectrochemical hazard analysis for the US Army on Thursday.

The demonstration, under an Army Phase II SBIR award, followed an earlier feasibility study on using a single laser to produce the necessary double pulse. Jmar, a San Diego developer of laser-based equipment for imaging, analysis and fabrication at the nanoscale, was selected for a Phase II contract to design and build such a laser based on its BriteLight laser technology for producing intense plasmas. It said its prototype exceeded the Army Research Laboratory’s standoff (or operating) distance performance specifications by a factor of two.

With the unique combination of high power and brightness, the outcome promises to increase the number of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) applications, Jmar said. DP-LIBS enables detection and identification of very small (femtogram) traces of hazardous materials such as explosives and drugs, at close contact and standoff distances, and for applications including forensics, biological contaminant detection and agricultural analysis, such as over- or under-fertilized crops.

Neil Beer, CEO and president of Jmar, said, "We’re pleased by the ability of our redesigned Britelight laser to substantially increase the optical signal for LIBS. The potential impact covers multiple critical military missions. If the Army elects to implement DP-LIBS, coupled with the commercial and national defense applications, it represents a significant opportunity for the company.”

For more information, visit: www.jmar.com