Laser-based standoff detection of surface-bound explosive chemicals

David L. Huestis; Gregory P. Smith; Harald Oser

doi:10.1117/12.849769

5 May 2010 Laser-based standoff detection of surface-bound explosive chemicals

David L. Huestis, Gregory P. Smith, Harald Oser

Proceedings Volume 7679, Micro- and Nanotechnology Sensors, Systems, and Applications II; 76790G (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.849769
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2010, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

Avoiding or minimizing potential damage from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) such as suicide, roadside, or vehicle bombs requires that the explosive device be detected and neutralized outside its effective blast radius. Only a few seconds may be available to both identify the device as hazardous and implement a response. As discussed in a study by the National Research Council, current technology is still far from capable of meeting these objectives. Conventional nitrocarbon explosive chemicals have very low vapor pressures, and any vapors are easily dispersed in air. Many pointdetection approaches rely on collecting trace solid residues from dust particles or surfaces. Practical approaches for standoff detection are yet to be developed. For the past 5 years, SRI International has been working toward development of a novel scheme for standoff detection of explosive chemicals that uses infrared (IR) laser evaporation of surfacebound explosive followed by ultraviolet (UV) laser photofragmentation of the explosive chemical vapor, and then UV laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) of nitric oxide. This method offers the potential of long standoff range (up to 100 m or more), high sensitivity (vaporized solid), simplicity (no spectrometer or library of reference spectra), and selectivity (only nitrocompounds).

Citation Download Citation

David L. Huestis, Gregory P. Smith, and Harald Oser "Laser-based standoff detection of surface-bound explosive chemicals", Proc. SPIE 7679, Micro- and Nanotechnology Sensors, Systems, and Applications II, 76790G (5 May 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.849769

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available