Identification of vapor-phase chemical warfare agent simulants and rocket fuels using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Journal Article · Sat May 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010 · Applied Optics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.49.0000C8· OSTI ID:22036489

Stearns, Jaime A; McElman, Sarah E; Dodd, James A

Application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to the identification of security threats is a growing area of research. This work presents LIBS spectra of vapor-phase chemical warfare agent simulants and typical rocket fuels. A large dataset of spectra was acquired using a variety of gas mixtures and background pressures and processed using partial least squares analysis. The five compounds studied were identified with a 99% success rate by the best method. The temporal behavior of the emission lines as a function of chamber pressure and gas mixture was also investigated, revealing some interesting trends that merit further study.

• OSTI ID: 22036489
• Journal Information: Applied Optics, Vol. 49, Issue 13; Other Information: (c) 2010 Optical Society of America; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6935
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
BREAKDOWN
CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS
EMISSION
FUELS
LASER RADIATION
LEAST SQUARE FIT
MIXTURES
ROCKETS
SECURITY
SPECTRA
SPECTROSCOPY
VAPORS