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Indeed. I was surprised to learn some time ago that there are already several kinds of handheld, effective "tricorders" in existence at least as far as scanning

Indeed. I was surprised to learn some time ago that there are already several kinds of handheld, effective "tricorders" in existence at least as far as scanning the surface of an object or compound. There are two main varieties typically used by geologists (and also in many other fields): One is based on X-rays, which is the older, slower and more limited detection-range technology, that have the positive of being non-destructive (well, other than perhaps to the user depending on how they wield it...). The other, typically referred to as "LIBS", are based on high-intensity laser bursts that destroy a tiny portion of the material being analysed and then run some kind of analysis on the gases produced in the ignition. There are even particular models available of the latter [0] that have small replaceable argon gas canisters included which then enable the detection of every known element up to Uranium, though I don't know how accurate they are. They're also typically much faster at analysis than the X-Ray models. [0] https://sciaps.com/libs-handheld-laser-analyzers/z-903-libs/ https://sciaps.com/libs-handheld-laser-analyzers/z-903-libs/

jerf 4y ago
"Tricorders" are in some sense more a spectrum than an end point. Even a modern phone is already simply incidentally a sensing platform that 50 years ago would certainly have been very expensive, and probably not fit into the phone form factor even if everything else was evicted. Just a full 3D accelerator, temperature sensor, pressure sensor, compass/magnetism sensor, and general EMF detector is an impressive lineup.
qwezxcrty 4y ago
Are you talking about XRF analyzers? Those tends to be lighter and can be truly handheld. For LIBS systems I know, one need to drag a cart.
- detrites 4y ago
  Follow the link I included - LIBS is now handheld (in the same XRF form factor, weight etc), quite a competitive space now, many handheld XRF manufacturers have LIBS versions available.
  - qwezxcrty 4y ago
    That looks nice! Didn't know such things exist before. However the tiny Argon bottle does not give me much confidence.
    - detrites 4y ago
      Could you elaborate? I know little about this tech, but suspect there may be size/performance trade-offs.
      - qwezxcrty 4y ago
        Well, just worrying the small argon bottles can quickly run out. Maybe it's better than expected in typical use cases.

jerf 4y ago

"Tricorders" are in some sense more a spectrum than an end point. Even a modern phone is already simply incidentally a sensing platform that 50 years ago would certainly have been very expensive, and probably not fit into the phone form factor even if everything else was evicted. Just a full 3D accelerator, temperature sensor, pressure sensor, compass/magnetism sensor, and general EMF detector is an impressive lineup.

qwezxcrty 4y ago

Are you talking about XRF analyzers? Those tends to be lighter and can be truly handheld. For LIBS systems I know, one need to drag a cart.

detrites 4y ago
Follow the link I included - LIBS is now handheld (in the same XRF form factor, weight etc), quite a competitive space now, many handheld XRF manufacturers have LIBS versions available.
- qwezxcrty 4y ago
  That looks nice! Didn't know such things exist before. However the tiny Argon bottle does not give me much confidence.
  - detrites 4y ago
    Could you elaborate? I know little about this tech, but suspect there may be size/performance trade-offs.
    - qwezxcrty 4y ago
      Well, just worrying the small argon bottles can quickly run out. Maybe it's better than expected in typical use cases.