Cocaine detection in liquid using a fibered platform and a mid-infrared quantum cascade laser

Abstract

A miniaturized, trace level sensor for cocaine is presented. A quantum cascade laser emitting at 1720 cm-1 is coupled to a fibred absorption flow-cell. A detection limit lower than 250 ng/mL (84 ppb) is reported.

Modelling and simulation of novel liquid‐infiltrated PCF biosensor in Terahertz frequencies

“…Difficulties associated with the detection and identification of liquid cocaine have motivated the development of several optical techniques. Some of these techniques include the use of fibre‐optic biosensors for sensing cocaine leaf extracts [1], the use of infrared spectroscopy for identification of the absorption spectra of cocaine [2] and the use of quantum cascade laser (QCL) and fibered absorption cell for sensing traces of cocaine and its concentration [3]. Another possible optical method that has been developed for detection involves the use of photonic crystal fibres (PCFs).…”