Results of a UV TEPS-Raman energetic detection system (TREDS-2) for standoff detection

Abstract

A fully integrated UV Townsend Effect Plasma Spectroscopy (TEPS)-Raman Explosive Detection System (TREDS-2) system has been constructed for use of standoff detection. A single 266nm Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser was used for Raman excitation and TEPS plasma ignition. A nearly simultaneous 10.6μm CO 2 laser was employed for the signal enhancement in the TEPS measurements. TEPS and Raman spectra have been measured for a wide variety of energetic samples on several different substrates. Chemometric techniques are presented for analysis and differentiation between benign and energetic samples. Since these techniques are orthogonal, data fusion algorithms can be applied to enhance the results. The results of the TEPS and Raman techniques along with their algorithms are discussed and presented.

Deep Ultraviolet Resonance Raman Excitation Enables Explosives Detection

“…Attempts to overcome the inherent weakness of normal Raman scattering and associated visible luminescence has motivated the exploration of deep ultraviolet (UV) resonance Raman spectroscopy for remote detection. [34][35][36][37][38][39] All explosives show strong deep UV absorption bands that should give rise to increased molecular Raman cross-sections. Furthermore, deep UV excitation below 260 nm in condensed-phase samples avoids fluorescence.…”