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: 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.

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: 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 a laser 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 laser head. The laser manipulation system is adapted to controllably adjust the position of the laser head relative to the structure. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit and the laser manipulation system.

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

Abstract: A containment plenum is adapted to deliver laser light to an interaction region of an inhabitable structure to remove material from the structure. The containment plenum includes a plenum housing adapted to be coupled to a source of laser light. The containment plenum further includes a window substantially transparent to the laser light. The window is mounted within the plenum housing to transmit the laser light in a downstream direction and to provide a barrier to upstream transport of particulate matter generated by interaction of the laser light and the structure. The containment plenum further includes a nozzle fluidly coupled to a source of compressed gas. The nozzle is mounted downstream of the window whereby the laser light and the compressed gas are transmitted through the nozzle in the downstream direction to the interaction region of the structure.

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 and 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 a first optical element and a second optical element contained in the housing. The second optical element is optically coupled to the first optical element. The laser head further includes a containment plenum coupled to the housing. The containment plenum is optically coupled to the second optical element to receive the laser light from the second optical element. The containment plenum is adapted to confine the material and to 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 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 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.

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 and 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 a first optical element and a second optical element contained in the housing. The second optical element is optically coupled to the first optical element. The laser head further includes a containment plenum coupled to the housing. The containment plenum is optically coupled to the second optical element to receive the laser light from the second optical element. The containment plenum is adapted to confine the material and to 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 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 a laser 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 laser head. The laser manipulation system is adapted to controllably adjust the position of the laser head relative to the structure. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit and the laser manipulation system.

Abstract: A containment plenum is adapted to deliver laser light to an interaction region of an inhabitable structure to remove material from the structure. The containment plenum includes a plenum housing adapted to be coupled to a source of laser light. The containment plenum further includes a window substantially transparent to the laser light. The window is mounted within the plenum housing to transmit the laser light in a downstream direction and to provide a barrier to upstream transport of particulate matter generated by interaction of the laser light and the structure. The containment plenum further includes a nozzle fluidly coupled to a source of compressed gas. The nozzle is mounted downstream of the window whereby the laser light and the compressed gas are transmitted through the nozzle in the downstream direction to the interaction region of the structure.

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