Sensor and method for detecting trace underground energetic materials

Abstract

A subsurface soil contaminant identification system employs a cone penetrometer unit for continuously measuring the concentration of energetic materials in potentially contaminated soils. The sensor is rugged, reliable, and has a fast response time. The invention utilizes two pulsed, time-delayed miniature lasers. An infrared laser is used for decomposing the energetic material into NO and other products, while a visible laser operating near 452 nm is used for NO detection by (2+2) resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI). The system employs a fiber optic to transmit the output radiation at distances of approximately 30-50 meters, a lens assembly to focus one or both laser beams, a pair of miniature electrodes to collect the ions, a penetrometer, and data acquisition/processing equipment. A REMPI spectrum of 0.1% NO at atmospheric pressure reveals that the spectral resolution is sufficient such that characteristic spectral features of NO can be identified unequivocally.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.