Method of Laser Discrimination Using Stimulated Luminescence.

This patent application discloses a method of determining the nature of an unspecified laser source using the optically and thermally stimulated luminescence characteristics of a single MgS phosphor doped with either Ce, Sm or Eu, Sm ions. The doped MgS phosphor is first exposed to charging radiation thereby allowing electron trapping to occur. Subsequent to the electron trapping, the phosphor is exposed to the energy of an unspecified laser source which frees the trapped electrons. The freed electrons are than available for recombination which results in a specific color luminescence indicative of the type of laser source. jhd