Abstract: A manipulation system controllably moves a head relative to a surface of an inhabitable structure for irradiating the surface with energy waves from the head. The manipulation system includes a positioning mechanism coupled to the head. The positioning mechanism includes a first-axis position system adapted to move the head along a first direction substantially parallel to the surface. The positioning mechanism further includes a second-axis position system coupled to the first-axis position system and adapted to move the head along a second direction substantially parallel to the surface. The manipulation system further includes an anchoring mechanism coupled to the positioning mechanism and releasably coupled to the structure.

Abstract: A method irradiates an interaction region of an inhabitable structure with laser light to remove material from the structure. The method includes releasably affixing an anchoring mechanism to the structure by vacuum pressure. The method further includes releasably affixing the anchoring mechanism to a laser head configured to receive laser light from a laser generator, such that the laser head is in a drilling position relative to the interaction region. The method further includes receiving the laser light from the laser generator and directing the laser light to the interaction region of the structure. The method further includes confining the material and removing the material from the interaction region resulting from irradiating the structure with the laser light.

Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit adapted to provide laser light to an interaction region, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and releasably coupled to the laser head. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit. The controller is adapted to transmit control signals to the laser base unit in response to user input.

Abstract: A laser head for irradiating an interaction region of a structure with laser light to remove material from the structure. The laser head includes a housing, an anchoring mechanism, and a connector coupled to the housing and optically coupled to a laser generator. The anchoring mechanism is reversably coupled to the housing and releasably affixed to the structure by vacuum pressure. The anchoring mechanism releasably holds the laser head at a selected position in relation to the structure. The connector transmits laser light from the laser generator. The laser head further includes a plurality of optical elements contained in the housing. The laser head further includes a containment plenum coupled to the housing. The containment plenum is optically coupled to the plurality of optical elements to receive the laser light. The containment plenum confines the material and removes the material from the interaction region resulting from irradiating the structure with the laser light.

Abstract: A system and method processes a structure comprising embedded material. The system includes a laser adapted to generate light and to irradiate an interaction region of the structure. The system further includes an optical system adapted to receive light from the interaction region and to generate a detection signal indicative of the presence of embedded material in the interaction region. The system further includes a controller operatively coupled to the laser and the optical system. The controller is adapted to receive the detection signal and to be responsive to the detection signal by selectively adjusting the laser.

Abstract: A detection system is used during irradiation of an interaction region of a structure with laser light. The structure includes embedded material. The detection system includes means for receiving light emitted from the interaction region. The detection system further includes means for separating the received light into a spectrum of wavelengths. The detection system further includes means for analyzing at least a portion of the spectrum for indications of embedded material within the interaction region.

Abstract: A system and method processes a structure comprising embedded material. The system includes a laser adapted to generate light and to irradiate an interaction region of the structure. The system further includes an optical system adapted to receive light from the interaction region and to generate a detection signal indicative of the presence of embedded material in the interaction region. The system further includes a controller operatively coupled to the laser and the optical system. The controller is adapted to receive the detection signal and to be responsive to the detection signal by selectively adjusting the laser.

Abstract: A detection system is used during irradiation of an interaction region of a structure with laser light. The structure includes embedded material. The detection system includes means for receiving light emitted from the interaction region. The detection system further includes means for separating the received light into a spectrum of wavelengths. The detection system further includes means for analyzing at least a portion of the spectrum for indications of embedded material within the interaction region.

Abstract: A laser head is adapted to irradiate an interaction region of an inhabitable structure with laser light to remove material from the structure. The laser head includes a housing. The laser head further includes a connector coupled to the housing and optically coupled to a laser generator. The connector is adapted to transmit laser light from the laser generator. The laser head further includes at least one optical element contained in the housing and optically coupled to the connector. The optical element is adapted to receive laser light from the connector. The laser head further includes a containment plenum coupled to the housing. The containment plenum is optically coupled to the optical element to receive the laser light from the optical element. The containment plenum is adapted to confine the material and remove the material from the interaction region resulting from irradiating the structure with the laser light.

Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a base unit adapted to provide energy waves to an interaction region, the energy waves removing material from the structure. The base unit includes an energy wave generator and a head coupled to the energy wave generator. The head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes a manipulation system which includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and a positioning mechanism coupled to the anchoring mechanism and coupled to the head. The manipulation system is adapted to controllably adjust the position of the head relative to the structure. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the base unit. The controller is adapted to transmit control signals to the base unit in response to user input.

Abstract: A detection system is used during irradiation of an interaction region of a structure with laser light. The structure includes embedded material. The detection system includes means for receiving light emitted from the interaction region. The detection system further includes means for separating the received light into a spectrum of wavelengths. The detection system further includes means for analyzing at least a portion of the spectrum for indications of embedded material within the interaction region.

Abstract: A system and method processes a structure comprising embedded material. The system includes a laser adapted to generate light and to irradiate an interaction region of the structure. The system further includes an optical system adapted to receive light from the interaction region and to generate a detection signal indicative of the presence of embedded material in the interaction region. The system further includes a controller operatively coupled to the laser and the optical system. The controller is adapted to receive the detection signal and to be responsive to the detection signal by selectively adjusting the laser.

Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit adapted to provide laser light to an interaction region, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and releasably coupled to the laser head. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit. The controller is adapted to transmit control signals to the laser base unit in response to user input.

Abstract: A system and method processes a structure comprising embedded material. The system includes a laser adapted to generate light and to irradiate an interaction region of the structure. The system further includes an optical system adapted to receive light from the interaction region and to generate a detection signal indicative of the presence of embedded material in the interaction region. The system further includes a controller operatively coupled to the laser and the optical system. The controller is adapted to receive the detection signal and to be responsive to the detection signal by selectively adjusting the laser.

Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit adapted to provide laser light to an interaction region, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and releasably coupled to the laser head. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit. The controller is adapted to transmit control signals to the laser base unit in response to user input.

Abstract: A system and method processes a structure comprising embedded material. The system includes a laser adapted to generate light and to irradiate an interaction region of the structure. The system further includes an optical system adapted to receive light from the interaction region and to generate a detection signal indicative of the presence of embedded material in the interaction region. The system further includes a controller operatively coupled to the laser and the optical system. The controller is adapted to receive the detection signal and to be responsive to the detection signal by selectively adjusting the laser.

Abstract: A detection system is used during irradiation of an interaction region of a structure with laser light. The structure includes embedded material. The detection system includes means for receiving light emitted from the interaction region. The detection system further includes means for separating the received light into a spectrum of wavelengths. The detection system further includes means for analyzing at least a portion of the spectrum for indications of embedded material within the interaction region.

Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit which irradiates an interaction region with laser light, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head includes a containment plenum which confines and removes material from the interaction region. The containment plenum includes a rubber seal which contacts the structure and which substantially surrounds the interaction region, thereby facilitating confinement and removal of material from the interaction region, and providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes an anchoring mechanism releasably coupled to the structure and releasably coupled to the laser head. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit. The controller transmits control signals to the laser base unit in response to user input.

Abstract: A detection system is used during irradiation of an interaction region of a structure including embedded material with laser light. The detection system includes a collimating lens positioned to receive light emitted from the interaction region. The detection system further includes an optical fiber optically coupled to the collimating lens and a spectrometer optically coupled to the optical fiber. The spectrometer is adapted for analysis of the light for indications of the embedded material within the interaction region. The spectrometer includes an input slit adapted to receive light from the optical fiber. The input slit has a width selected to provide sufficient light transmittance and sufficient resolution. The spectrometer further includes an optical grating adapted to receive light from the input slit and to separate the light into a spectrum of wavelengths.

Abstract: A detection system is used during irradiation of an interaction region of a structure with laser light. The structure includes embedded material. The detection system includes a focusing lens positioned to receive light emitted from the interaction region. The detection system further includes an optical fiber optically coupled to the focusing lens to receive light from the focusing lens. The detection system further includes a spectrometer optically coupled to the optical fiber to receive light from the optical fiber. The spectrometer is adapted for analysis of the light for indications of the embedded material within the interaction region.