Time-of-flight mass spectroscopy measurements of TNT and RDX on soil surfaces

Abstract

Mass spectroscopy methods are promising tools for the detection of trace amounts of explosive materials in a number of physical environments. The purpose of this study is to establish the kinetic energy distribution of NO as a product of photo-fragmentation of nitro-compounds like TNT and RDX on soil substrates surfaces using femto second laser pulses for molecular dissociation and subsequent mass spectrometry measurements as a function of time. We have successfully performed NO TOF measurements on TNT deposits photo decomposed with 130 femtosecond laser pulses with a 400 nm wavelength. The data is modeled with a modified Boltzman distribution. NO kinetic energy distributions resulting from TNT and RDX on soil substrate surfaces are compared.