Laser wave mixing is presented as an ultrasensitive detection method for chem/bio agents in thin-film, gas- and liquid-phase samples.  Wave mixing is an unusually sensitive absorption-based method that offers inherent advantages including excellent sensitivity, small sample requirements, short optical path length, high spatial resolution and standoff detection capability.  Wave mixing can detection optical absorption even when using thin samples (<0.1 mm), and hence, it can be conveniently interfaced to microarrays, microfluidic systems, capillary electrophoresis and other liquid- and gas-phase flowing systems.  The wave-mixing signal is generated instantaneously as the two input laser beams intersect inside the analyte of interest.  Wave-mixing detection can be used in reflective modes to detect chem/bio agents on surfaces.  Laser excitation wavelengths can be tuned to detect multiple chem/bio agents in their native form.  Since the wave-mixing signal is a coherent laser-like beam with its own propagation direction, it allows remote standoff detection capability.

Ultrasensitive nonlinear laser wave-mixing spectroscopic detection of chem/bio agents

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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