Skip to main content
SHARE
Publication

Standoff imaging of chemicals using IR spectroscopy...

by Lawrence R Senesac, Thomas G Thundat, Marissa E Morales Rodriguez
Publication Type
Conference Paper
Journal Name
Proceedings of SPIE
Publication Date
Volume
8031
Conference Name
SPIE Security and Defense 2011
Conference Location
Orlando, Florida, United States of America
Conference Date

Here we report on a standoff spectroscopic technique for identifying chemical residues on surfaces. A hand-held infrared camera was used in conjunction with a wavelength tunable mid-IR quantum cascade laser (QCL) to create hyperspectral image arrays of a target with an explosive residue on its surface. Spectral signatures of the explosive residue (RDX) were extracted from the hyperspectral image arrays and compared with a reference spectrum. Identification of RDX was achieved for residue concentrations of 20 μg per cm2 at a distance of 1.5 m, and for 5 μg per cm2 at a distance of 15 cm.