Abstract
Ultraviolet Raman spectroscopy measurements have been taken at DLR in Lampoldshausen to detect NATO SET-237 standard samples of RDX. The main goal was to quantify the minimum requirements for an unambiguous identification in remote detection (60 cm distance) with a commercial Czerny–Turner spectrometer coupled with a CCD camera. Well-defined distribution of explosives on surfaces was tested as standardized samples. Therefore, Raman spectra of RDX have been acquired for different sample concentrations (50, 250 and 1000 μg/cm2, respectively) and under several laser energies (1.5, 3.0 and 5.0 mJ/pulse, respectively) at 355 nm excitation wavelength. The lowest possible reproducible surface concentration (50 µg/cm2) was detected with excitation energy of 3 mJ/pulse in the described configuration.
Highlights
The use of explosives and precursor materials is increasing to intentionally harm people and damage properties
Obtaining a well-defined spectral signature that leads to a clear identification and a low rate of false alarm is very difficult from large molecules like explosives; the background material might cover, absorb or distort the signal causing more uncertainty
The Raman signal was collected at a distance of about 60 cm from the target sample inside a spectrometer coupled with a couple charged device (CCD) camera with an acquisition time of 30 s
Summary
The use of explosives and precursor materials is increasing to intentionally harm people and damage properties. A high specificity is necessary in order to discriminate an explosive from an interfering background or harmless substances. It is desirable to achieve the widest possible range of detectable hazardous substances and, at the same time, to reduce the acquisition time and laser energy. For these reasons, a comprehensive investigation of the detection possibilities and their optimization for the various warfare agents are mandatory [1]. Among all the available technologies [1, 2], the ones with the best potential of being fast and able to detect and identify many explosive compounds and
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