SBIR-STTR Award

An increasing worldwide awareness of potentially destructive clandestine explosives transport onto aircraft has underscored efforts to develop methods to reduce and eliminate this potential source of air disasters. Within the last several years an increased importance has been assigned to the development of technology directed toward highly sensitive and selective detection of explosives. Recent parallel developments in photoionization processes and in simplified robust lasers suggest the incipient technical means to develop ultrasensitive, selective and transportable methods for the rapid detection of explosive contraband. The purpose of this project is to evaluate the feasibility elements leading to the development of a laser-based detection system. The objectives of the project are to: evaluate a direct ambient sampling device; investigate the multiphoton ionization mass spectrometry of selected explosives vapors; design a prototype explosives detection system.

An increasing worldwide awareness of potentially destructive clandestine explosives transport onto aircraft has underscored efforts to develop methods to reduce and eliminate this potential source of air disasters. Within the last several years an increased importance has been assigned to the development of technology directed toward highly sensitive and selective detection of explosives. Recent parallel developments in photoionization processes and in simplified robust lasers suggest the incipient technical means to develop ultrasensitive, selective and transportable methods for the rapid detection of explosive contraband. In Phase I feasibility was demonstrated for soft ionization and photofragmentation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene and ethylene glycol. The objectives of this proposed Phase II project are to refine the spectroscopic methods for TNT and EGDN, while extending the methods to other explosives, and to incorporate the photoionization techniques into a pre-prototype instrument for sensitive and selective vapor detection.

Anticipated Results:
Characterization of multiphoton spectroscopy of explosives, leading to the implementation of a versatile, sensitive and selective detection system. Commercial market includes security in airports, forensic and scientific instruments.