Detection of indwelling C substances with UV Raman: current state and future direction

Authors:

  • Pär Wästerby
  • Fredrik Kullander
  • Lars Landström
  • Hampus Lundén
  • Göran Olofsson
  • Bo Koch

Publish date: 2014-12-30

Report number: FOI-R--3975--SE

Pages: 21

Written in: Swedish

Keywords:

  • Detection
  • standoff
  • chemical warfare agents (CWA)
  • contamination
  • persistent agents
  • Raman spectroscopy

Abstract

This report summarizes research performed between 2011 and 2014 in the Chemical detection project. Research has been focused on developing a technique better suited for detection of contamination of chemical warfare agents (CWA) than the techniques in use today. In order to protect the operator, it is advantageous if this kind of instrument measures at standoff. Furthermore, it is important to determine the location of the contamination and what it contains. We have chosen UV Raman spectroscopy as a technique for detection of CWA contamination. Two setups have been developed; one for specific identification using UV Raman spectroscopy and one for locating contamination using UV Raman Imaging. The same components are mainly used in both setups, which in the future makes it possible to swiftly switch between imaging and identification. Using a tunable laser source in combination with optical filters have made it possible to obtain some spectroscopic information in the Raman images, but UV Raman spectroscopy will be necessary to obtain better specificity. Currently, research is focused on determination of the sensitivity of UV Raman spectroscopy. Remaining properties to determine are detection limits and specificity of persistent CWA on different backgrounds.