Novel use of shortwave infrared hyperspectral imaging for standoff detection of explosives and narcotics in room clearing applications

Abstract

The detection of threats from a distance within a complex background is a valuable and often lifesaving utility. Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) allows for the detection of threat materials in convoluted environmental scenes, where the target of interest is typically low in concentration and co-located with interferrants and varying substrates. The ideal HSI sensor is able to automatically assess scenes in near real-time and at a safe standoff distance to avoid risk of harm to the operator and equipment. Unfortunately, many current generation HSI sensors have limitations that hinder the ability to effectively handle these situations. These systems often have an inefficient area search rate, do not provide near real-time measurements, or require the user to be in close proximity to the material in question. ChemImage Sensor Systems (CISS) has developed a wide-field, portable shortwave infrared hyperspectral imaging (SWIR HSI) sensor called VeroVision™ Threat Detector capable of detecting threat materials (i.e. explosives, narcotics) at standoff distances for a variety of applications. The portable HSI sensor has been designed to analyze complex scenes at near real-time speeds. The sensor utilizes SWIR absorbance spectroscopy to provide molecular discrimination of the target area at standoff distances from 1 to 20+ meters. The sensor has a custom developed software package that provides the operator the ability to adapt its spectral library to incorporate new threat materials or change the type of target of interest. This paper will provide an overview of VeroVision as well as a discussion on how it may be effectively applied to room and vehicle clearing applications.