Noncontact detection of homemade explosive constituents via photodissociation followed by laser-induced fluorescence
Year: 2010
Type: article
Abstract: Noncontact detection of the homemade explosive constituents urea nitrate, nitromethane and ammonium nitrate is achieved using photodissociation followed by laser-induced fluorescence (PD-LIF). Our technique utilizes a single ultraviolet laser pulse (approximately 7 ns) to vaporize and photodissociate the condensed-phase materials, and then to detect the resulting vibrationally-excited NO fragments via laser-induced fluorescence. PD-LIF excitation and emission spectra indicate the creation of NO in vibrationally-excited states with significant rotational energy, useful for low-background detection of the parent compound. The results for homemade explosives are compared to one another and 2,6-dinitrotoluene, a component present in many military explosives.
Source: Optics Express
DOI: 10.1364/oe.18.005399
Authors: C. M. Wynn, S. Palmacci, R. R. Kunz, M. Rothschild
Institutions: MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Language: English
Subfield: Spectroscopy
Field: Chemistry
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,270
OpenAlex ID: W2013777446