Trace explosive detection and identification signature characterization studies using Deep-UV fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy

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Explosives detectors are used to screen people, packages, and infrastructure, as well as conduct investigation of unknown substances. Optical detection techniques hold promise to enable stand-off detection of a range of threat materials, precursors and by-products. However, conventional Raman instruments, which rely on visible and near IR excitation sources, often exhibit fluorescence obscuration and poor sensitivity. An area of research interest is deep-UV Raman spectroscopy as a solution to both issues. Photon Systems RPL-200 is a deep-UV Raman and fluorescence microscope. This report presents preliminary experiments using this technology, for studies on the phenomenology of trace explosive detection, to inform future efforts that aspire to realize high sensitivity stand-off detection of explosives.