New developments on standoff detection of explosive materials by differential reflectometry

Claus Schöllhorn; Anna M. Fuller; Julien Gratier; Rolf E. Hummel

doi:10.1117/12.722429

26 April 2007 New developments on standoff detection of explosive materials by differential reflectometry

Claus Schöllhorn, Anna M. Fuller, Julien Gratier, Rolf E. Hummel

Proceedings Volume 6554, Chemical and Biological Sensing VIII; 65540C (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.722429
Event: Defense and Security Symposium, 2007, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

Differential reflectometry (DR) is an effective tool to supplement existing explosives detection systems thus making the combined unit more effective than one tool alone. It is an optical technique in which the investigative light beam emanates from an extended distance onto the substance under investigation, thus rendering it to be a standoff method. The applicable distance still needs to be determined but could be well within the 50 to 100 m range. Specifically, differential reflectometry (also known as Differential reflection spectroscopy) is a surface analytical technique that reveals details about the electron structure. In other words, the instrument allows the measurement of the energies that electrons absorb from photons as they are raised into higher, allowed energy states. Since each material has a specific electron structure the measurement of the characteristic energies for "electron transitions" serves as a means (i.e. a fingerprint) for identifying these substances. The DR device can be made portable, it is fast, safe for the public, does not require human involvement, is cost effective, and most of all, it is a standoff technique which does not require ingestion of a suspicious substance into an instrument.

Citation Download Citation

Claus Schöllhorn, Anna M. Fuller, Julien Gratier, and Rolf E. Hummel "New developments on standoff detection of explosive materials by differential reflectometry", Proc. SPIE 6554, Chemical and Biological Sensing VIII, 65540C (26 April 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.722429

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