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Title: Standoff Imaging of Trace RDX Using Quantum Cascade Lasers

Journal Article · · IEEE Sensors Journal

We report on a standoff spectroscopic technique for detecting chemical residues on surfaces. An infrared (IR) camera was used in combination with a wavelength tunable mid-IR quantum cascade laser to acquire multispectral image arrays of a surface with explosive residue. IR spectral signatures of residue of cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (commonly known as RDX) were extracted in the wavelength range 7.9 to 9.7 μm from the multispectral IR images. Detection of RDX was achieved for a lower surface concentration of 5 μg cm –2 and a higher surface concentration of 20 μg cm –2 at distances of 0.15 m and 1.5 m, respectively. We performed no background subtraction and the resulting IR spectra of RDX were compared with reference Fourier Transform IR Spectroscopy data that were acquired by placing 20 μg of RDX on a ZnS window. As a result, we found that the detection of RDX can be made with negligible interfering contribution of reflected IR photons from the substrate surface.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Wind and Water Technologies Office (EE-4W)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308
OSTI ID:
1580026
Report Number(s):
NREL/JA-4A00-73448
Journal Information:
IEEE Sensors Journal, Journal Name: IEEE Sensors Journal Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 20; ISSN 1530-437X
Publisher:
IEEECopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English