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US 8,525,114 B2Granted
Standoff explosives detection
AssigneeThe University of Wyoming Research Corporation
InventorJohn F. Schabron
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention may include methods and apparatus for the detection of explosives using near infrared or infrared spectroscopy to detect nitro or even carbonyl groups. Embodiments may include, at least one radiation emitter may emit at least one wavelength towards a target. At least one reflected wavelength may be generated after the wavelength collides with the target. A reflected wavelength may then be detected by at least one detector and analyzed with an analyzer.
Claims25
A method of detecting explosives comprising the steps of:
- directing at least one laser onto a single spot of a target;
- emitting a single near infrared absorption wavelength from said at least one laser towards said single spot of said target, wherein said single near infrared absorption wavelength consists of a single near infrared wavelength capable of absorption by a chemical group selected from a group consisting of a nitro group and a carbonyl group on said single spot of said target;
- emitting a single reference wavelength from said at least one laser towards said single spot of said target, wherein said single reference wavelength consists of a single wavelength that is different from said single near infrared absorption wavelength;
- colliding said single near infrared absorption wavelength and said single reference wavelength with said target at said single spot of said target;
- generating a reflected wavelength from both said single near infrared absorption wavelength and said single reference wavelength after said collision of said single near infrared absorption wavelength and said single reference wavelength with said target at said single spot of said target;
- detecting an intensity of each of said reflected wavelengths;
- analyzing said intensity of each of said reflected wavelengths;
- and
- determining if said target has an explosive compound when said target has molecules of a chemical group selected from a group consisting of a nitro group and a carbonyl group based on said step of analyzing said intensity of each of said reflected wavelengths.
6 more elements
An explosive detection apparatus comprising:
- at least one laser;
- a single near infrared absorption wavelength generated from said at least one laser, wherein said single near infrared absorption wavelength consists of a single near infrared wavelength capable of absorption by a chemical group selected from a group consisting of a nitro group and a carbonyl group on a target;
- a single reference wavelength generated from said at least one laser, wherein said single reference wavelength consists of a single wavelength that is different from said single near infrared absorption wavelength;
- a reflected wavelength detector of a reflected single near infrared absorption wavelength and a reflected single reference wavelength generated after said single near infrared absorption wavelength and said single reference wavelength collides with a single spot of said target;
- and
- a reflected wavelength analyzer to determine if said target has an explosive element when molecules of a chemical group selected from a group consisting of a nitro group and a carbonyl group.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.