Abstract: A spectroscopic detector for identifying the presence of a first substance in the presence of another substance includes a laser for illuminating the substances at a plurality of wavelengths to induce the emission of radiation characteristic of the substance; a spectrometer for measuring the emitted radiation to obtain a plurality of spectral measurement data; and a processor for processing the data. An algorithm combines the data into a composite spectrum and a parameter characteristic of the first substance is identified while information in the composite spectrum contributed by emission of radiation from the other substance is removed to identify the presence of the first substance and obtain a characteristic spectral signature of the first substance. The signature is compared to signatures in a spectral library database, wherein at least some of the library signatures have spectral characteristics differentiated from each other by identifiable spectral characteristics caused by environmental factors.

Abstract: A spectroscopic detector for identifying the presence of a substance includes a laser for illuminating the substance with electromagnetic radiation at a plurality of wavelengths to induce the emission of radiation characteristic of the substance; a spectrometer or photometer for measuring the emitted radiation at a plurality of emission wavelengths to obtain a plurality of spectral measurement data; and a processor for processing the spectral measurement data. The processor includes a processing algorithm configured for combining the plurality of spectral measurement data into a composite spectrum; and applying the algorithm to the composite spectrum whereby at least one parameter characteristic of the substance is identified while information in the composite spectrum contributed by an emission of radiation from any other substance is removed to thereby identify the presence of the substance, and thereby obtain a characteristic spectral signature of the substance.