Abstract: Provided herein is a system and method for elemental abundance monitoring used in ore exploration, mining and processing comprising an optical assembly of sensing elements combined with computer vision techniques for 3-dimensional mapping and optical focusing to identify and map elemental concentrations. Elements are identified using a custom Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technique where a traditional detector is replaced by a series of photodiodes tuned for specific wavelengths, indicative of the desired element(s). The optical system may be combined with a computer vision architecture to focus the optics by determining the 3-dimensional profile of the material to preserve sensor-sample optical path and geometry, a requirement for quantitative measurements of elemental abundances. The system may be employed in a dynamic system (such as a conveyor belt) where material is analyzed in real-time as it passes a scanner.

Abstract: A system comprising an assembly of sensing elements that could be attached to, mounted upon, or installed into pipes for on-line, in-line or off-line characterization of fluid flows. The system may be hand-held by a human operator or implemented in benchtop instrumentation. The sensing elements comprise one or more sensors and one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or lasers that can be configured in a variety of different orientations to investigate the fluorescence of the subject material by illuminating or exciting the subject material with the LEDs or lasers and collecting the electromagnetic signal returned from the subject material with the sensors. The architecture of the system is applicable to characterize both static and dynamic samples. Samples of the subject material include single-component solid, liquid, or gaseous materials or may also include single-phase, two-phase or multi-phase mixtures of solids, liquids and gases.

Abstract: A spectroscopic autofocusing method and a system for such a method are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a spectroscopic autofocusing method includes applying a plurality of electrical signals to a shape changing lens of a spectroscopy system. The method includes emitting, by an optical source coupled to the spectroscopy system, one or more optical signals directed to a target. The method includes determining, by a detector, one or more power measurements of one or more returned optical signals corresponding to an illuminated area of the target. The method includes aggregating, from the detector, the one or more power measurements, wherein each power measurement corresponds to a respective electrical signal of the plurality of electrical signals applied to the shape changing lens. The method includes determining an optimized electrical signal corresponding to a maximum power measurement indicated by the one or more power measurements.