Imaging standoff detection of explosives using widely tunable midinfrared quantum cascade lasers

Frank Fuchs; Stefan Hugger; Michel Kinzer; Rolf Aidam; Wolfgang Bronner; Rainer Lösch; Quankui K. Yang; Kai A. Degreif; Frank H. Schnürer

doi:10.1117/1.3506195

1 November 2010 Imaging standoff detection of explosives using widely tunable midinfrared quantum cascade lasers

Frank Fuchs, Stefan Hugger, Michel Kinzer, Rolf Aidam, Wolfgang Bronner, Rainer Lösch, Quankui K. Yang, Kai A. Degreif, Frank H. Schnürer

Author Affiliations +

Optical Engineering, Vol. 49, Issue 11, 111127 (November 2010). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.3506195

Abstract

The use of a tunable midinfrared external cavity quantum cascade laser for the standoff detection of explosives at medium distances between 2 and 5 m is presented. For the collection of the diffusely backscattered light, a high-performance infrared imager was used. Illumination and wavelength tuning of the laser source was synchronized with the image acquisition, establishing a hyperspectral data cube. Sampling of the backscattered radiation from the test samples was performed in a noncooperative geometry at angles of incidence far away from specular reflection. We show sensitive detection of traces of trinitrotoluene and pentaerythritol tetranitrate on real-world materials, such as standard car paint, polyacrylics from backpacks, and jeans fabric. Concentrations corresponding to fingerprints were detected, while concepts for false alarm suppression due to cross-contaminations were presented.

©(2010) Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)

Citation Download Citation

Frank Fuchs, Stefan Hugger, Michel Kinzer, Rolf Aidam, Wolfgang Bronner, Rainer Lösch, Quankui K. Yang, Kai A. Degreif, and Frank H. Schnürer "Imaging standoff detection of explosives using widely tunable midinfrared quantum cascade lasers," Optical Engineering 49(11), 111127 (1 November 2010). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.3506195

Published: 1 November 2010

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