Nuclear quadrupole double resonance techniques for the detection of explosives and drugs

Recent work of the Ljubljana group in the nuclear quadrupole double resonance detection of explosives, mines, narcotics and drugs is reviewed with particular emphasis on enhancing low-frequency nuclear quadrupole resonance signals.     

High resolution laser-based detection of ammonia

In the present paper we compare the response of two types of photoacoustic cells (resonant and nonresonant) to determine the amount of ammonia volatilized from biological liquid samples at constant temperature, pressure and pH. The home made detector was a photoacoustic spectroscopy apparatus developed by Molecular Spectroscopy Laboratory staff at ENEA Frascati Research Centre in Italy. The sensor makes use of photo-acoustic cells equipped with commercially available high sensitivity miniaturized microphones. The radiation source was a line-tunable stabilized 10 W CW CO₂ laser. Ammonia measurements were performed by tuning the laser source on the 9R30 laser line (9.2197 µm radiation wavelength). Ammonium chloride standard solutions were prepared by us in laboratory, to serve as reproducible ideal samples. The photoacoustic response of the two type of photoacoustic cells was determined and compared. The feasibility study was reported.     

Towards optoelectronic detection of explosives

Detection of explosives is an important challenge for contemporary science and technology of security systems. We present an application of NOx sensors equipped with concentrator in searching of explosives. The sensors using CRDS with blue — violet diode lasers (410 nm) as well as with QCL lasers (5.26 μm and 4.53 μm) are described. The detection method is based either on reaction of the sensors to the nitrogen oxides emitted by explosives or to NOx produced during thermal decomposition of explosive vapours. For TNT, PETN, RDX, and HMX the detection limit better than 1 ng has been achieved.     

Passive standoff detection of radiological products by Fourier-transform infrared radiometry

A preliminary investigation is made into the possibility of applying the passive standoff detection technique to the identification of radiological and related products. This work is based on laboratory measurements of the diffuse reflectance from a number of products, including U3O8, CsI, SrO, I2O5, and La2O3. These reflectances are incorporated into the MODTRAN4 radiative-transfer model to simulate the nadir radiance from surfaces consisting of these radiological or related materials. The simulations are performed for two situations: at an altitude of 1 m above the ground, to simulate the passive detection of nuclear products with a hand-held instrument, and at an altitude of 1 km, to simulate a passive sensor carried aboard an aircraft. The results of the simulations under idealized conditions, as well as the results of one measurement, show that the passive standoff detection of radiological products by Fourier-transform infrared radiometry may be possible.     

The two-frequency nuclear quadrupole resonance for explosives detection

The two-frequency nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) of¹⁴N nuclei is described for purposes of explosives detection. Two applications are known: two-frequency NQR for increasing the signal intensity, two-frequency NQR for improved reliability of explosives detection. The two-frequency experiments were carried out in hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-s-triazine C₃H₆N₆O₆ and sodium nitrite NaNO₂ as a substitute for octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocycine C₄H₈N₈O₈. The two-frequency sequences for NQR are proposed for increasing the amplitude of NQR signal and improvement of detection condition.     

Quantum cascade laser-based sensor for detection of exhaled and biogenic nitric oxide

A real-time, in situ CO sensor using 2.3 μm DFB diode laser absorption, with calibration-free wavelength-modulation-spectroscopy, was demonstrated for continuous monitoring in the boiler exhaust of a pulverized-coal-fired power plant up to temperatures of 700 K. The sensor was similar to a design demonstrated earlier in laboratory conditions, now refined to accommodate the harsh conditions of utility boilers. Measurements were performed across a 3 m path in the particulate-laden economizer exhaust of the coal-fired boiler. A 0.6 ppm detection limit with 1 s averaging was estimated from the results of a continuous 7-h-long measurement with varied excess air levels. The measured CO concentration exhibited expected inverse trends with the excess O₂ concentration, which was varied between 1 and 3 %. Measured CO concentrations ranged between 6 and 200 ppm; evaluation of the data suggested a dynamic range from 6 to 10,000 ppm based on a minimum signal-to-noise ratio of ten and maximum absorbance of one. This field demonstration of a 2.3 μm laser absorption sensor for CO showed great potential for real-time combustion exhaust monitoring and control of practical combustion systems.     

Potentials and limits of mid-infrared laser spectroscopy for the detection of explosives

Optical methods are well-established for trace gas detection in many applications, such as industrial process control or environmental sensing. Consequently, they gain much interest in the discussion of sensing methods for counterterrorism, e.g., the detection of explosives. Explosives as well as their decomposition products possess strong absorption features in the mid-infrared (MIR) spectral region between λ=5 and 11 μm. In this report we present two different laser spectroscopic approaches based on quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) operating at wavelengths around λ=5 and 8 μm, respectively. Stand-off configuration for the remote detection of nitro-based explosives (e.g., trinitrotoluene, TNT) and a fiber coupled sensor device for the detection of triacetone triperoxide (TATP) are discussed. PACS  42.62.Fi; 07.07.Df     

On the mechanism of the detonation of organic high explosives

This article presents a further analysis of isotopic labeling data on the mechanism of the detonation of TNT-, RDX-, and HMX-containing mixtures and on the release of free carbon from these mixtures. The distribution of carbon isotopes among the condensed explosion products and, for the first time, among the gaseous ones is considered in relation to the particle size of the mixed explosives. A sequence of main chemical reactions in the detonation wave is suggested to account for the experimental data discussed.     

2005年物理科学一处评审工作综述

2005年国家自然科学基金的各项评审工作已经基本结束,我们在此向所有关心和支持物理科学一处工作的广大科研工作者表示衷心的感谢！年底将至,我们将就科学处全年的评审工作情况向大家做一个汇报,对在评审中发现的一些问题提出一些建议,希望能对下一年度的项目申请有所帮助.     

THz光谱技术在炸药及其相关材料检测中的应用进展

太赫兹（THz）光谱技术近年来在航空航天、生命科学、安全检测等领域的应用进展迅速.由于许多炸药及其相关材料在THz波段具有特征吸收,许多非金属、非极性材料对THz 波是透明的,且THz波具有低能性,THz光谱技术在安检中具有巨大的应用潜力.文章介绍了国际上THz光谱技术在炸药及其相关材料研究中的现状和进展及文章作者在炸药及其相关材料THz光谱研究方面的成果,讨论了THz技术应用于安全检测领域面临的挑战.     

THz光谱技术在炸药及其相关材料检测中的应用进展

太赫兹（THz）光谱技术近年来在航空航天、生命科学、安全检测等领域的应用进展迅速.由于许多炸药及其相关材料在THz波段具有特征吸收，许多非金属、非极性材料对THz波是透明的。且THz波具有低能性，THz光谱技术在安检中具有巨大的应用潜力．文章介绍了国际上THz光谱技术在炸药及其相关材料研究中的现状和进展及文章作者在炸药及其相关材料THz光谱研究方面的成果，讨论了THz技术应用于安全检测领域面临的挑战.     

基于中红外分布反馈量子级联激光器的光声光谱技术用于痕量甲烷气体检测

由于工业监控和环境检测的需要,甲烷气体检测日益得到人们的关注。研究了基于中红外分布反馈量子级联激光器(DFB-QCL)的光声光谱技术,并应用于痕量甲烷的检测。自主研发的DFB-QCL室温工作时的激射波长在7.6μm附近,覆盖了甲烷的特征吸收谱线1 316.83cm-1。待测甲烷气体充入亥姆霍兹光声谐振腔中,DFB-QCL的工作频率为234Hz、室温脉冲工作时峰值功率为80mW。中红外光经过甲烷吸收后,产生的声波信号经麦克风检测,由锁相放大器对信号进行采集并输入计算机进行处理。按信噪比为1计算,得到甲烷的探测极限为189nmol.mol-1。     

The mechanism of hot spot formation in condensed explosives

The hypothesis of an electrical mechanism of formation of detonation initiation zones (hot spots) in condensed explosives is considered. The hypothesis is based on the generation of electric fields and the appearance of shock-induced conductivity in the propagation of a shock wave (compression wave) in condensed dielectric media, including explosives. These physical phenomena can cause a local electrical breakdown, whose channel is identified with a hot spot. The available experimental data are analyzed from the point of view of the hypothesis suggested, and a procedure for verifying this hypothesis is outlined.     

Optical and electronic design for a field prototype of a laser-based vehicle delineation detection system

A field prototype of a laser-based non-intrusive vehicle detection system has been developed for the measurement of delineations of moving vehicles on the highway. This prototype is based on our previous research on the principle of the measurement. The detection system uses two laser lines that are projected onto the ground as probes. The reflected light is collected and focused onto a photodiode array by an optical system. Vehicle presence is detected based on the absence of reflected laser light. By placing two identical laser/sensor pairs at a known distance apart, the speed of both the front and rear of a vehicle can be calculated based on the times when each sensor is triggered. The detector data are acquired and processed by a real-time system to obtain speed, acceleration, and length of a detected vehicle. The travel time of a vehicle can be acquired by detecting a vehicle at the beginning of a link and re-identifying the same vehicle at the end of the link. Several tests have been done with the field prototype system on the highway. The testing results show that the system can obtain the accuracy of measurement necessary to distinguish between moving vehicles on the highway. This article describes the design and implementation of each functional component of an advanced version of the field prototype system.     

Diode laser-based detection of combustor instabilities with application to a scramjet engine

Fluctuations in temperature non-uniformity along the line-of-sight of a diode laser absorption sensor in a model scramjet are found to precede backpressure-induced unstart (expulsion of the isolator shock train). A novel detection strategy combining Fourier analysis of temperature time series to determine low-frequency heat release fluctuations with simultaneous measurements of multiple absorption features of H₂O to identify temperature non-uniformities was applied to the scramjet combustor. Time-resolved absorption is measured using wavelength modulation spectroscopy for three transitions chosen with different temperature-dependent absorption characteristics. The line-of-sight (LOS)-averaged temperature inferred from the ratio of absorption from one pair of transitions is highly sensitive to low-temperature non-uniformities along the absorption path while the other ratio is less sensitive. The fraction of fluctuations in the range 1 < f < 50 Hz is determined from short-time Fourier transforms (STFTs) of the measured temperatures from both transition pairs. The ratio of these fractions provides a robust measure of the low-frequency fluctuations in temperature non-uniformities in the flow. Measurements in a scramjet test rig indicate a distinct increase in low-frequency fluctuations of low-temperature gases several seconds before the isolator shock train is forced out of the inlet by heat addition to the combustor. Though the precise cause of the fluctuations remains unknown, the detection method shows promise for use in control schemes to avoid back pressure-induced unstarts.     

Review of one-side approaches to radiographic imaging for detection of explosives and narcotics

There are occasions, in the course of determining if an explosive threat exists, where access to both sides of an article to be interrogated is not possible, as in the detection of landmines or the inspection of baggage left unattended and abutted against a wall. In such cases, a one-side approach to imaging must be undertaken. This paper reviews existing approaches to radiological imaging and assesses their potential application to the detection of explosives and narcotics.     

Pulsed laser surface fragmentation and mid-infrared laser spectroscopy for remote detection of explosives

Stand-off technology for the remote detection of explosives and their traces on contaminated surfaces is a field of research that has recently gained much interest. Optical methods are well established in applications for counterterrorism because they facilitate analysis without contact between human being and hazardous materials. In this paper, to our knowledge for the first time, a remote stand-off detection system is developed by combination of pulsed laser fragmentation and pulsed mid-infrared laser absorption spectroscopy. Since the absorption of explosives is more efficient for infrared wavelengths laser radiation in the eye safe region around λ=1.47 μm rather than the conventional Nd:YAG laser line at λ=1.06 μm is preferred for the fragmentation. Generated product gases such as nitric oxide are probed by a synchronized distributed feedback quantum cascade laser (DFB-QCL) at λ≈5.3 μm. The ratio of NO and NO₂ is a measure to distinguish between energetic and non-energetic materials. PACS 42.62.Fi; 07.07.DF; 42.55.Px