Ultrasonic Standoff Photoacoustic Sensor for the Detection of Explosive and Hazardous Molecules

Ramesh Sharma; Subodh Kumar; Saurabh Gupta; Hari Srivastava

doi:10.14429/dsj.68.12454

Ramesh Sharma DRDO-Laser Science and Technology Centre, Delhi - 110 054
Subodh Kumar DRDO - Laser Science and Technology Centre, Delhi - 110 054
Saurabh Gupta DRDO-Laser Science and Technology Centre, Delhi - 110 054
Hari Srivastava DRDO-Laser Science and Technology Centre, Delhi - 110 054

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.68.12454

Keywords: Photoacoustic sensor, Ultrasonic photoacoustic spectroscopy, Quantum cascade laser, Standoff detection

Abstract

Standoff photoacoustic spectroscopic technique has been studied for the detection of hazardous molecules adsorbed on surfaces and in vapour/aerosols form in open air. Detection and identification of components in explosive mixtures in trace amounts is very challenging by any point or standoff spectroscopic detection technique. Discusses detection and identification of such components using standoff laser photoacoustic spectroscopic technique. Laser photoacoustic spectra of various trace molecules in the mid-infrared spectral band 7 μm - 9 μm have been recorded in vapor, aerosol, liquid forms as well as samples adsorbed on surfaces such as plastic and cloth. Pulsed quantum cascade laser is modulated at a frequency of 42 kHz resonant with that of microphone. Hazardous chemicals/explosives adsorbed on plastic and cloths surfaces were detected from a standoff distance up to 1.5 m. The sensitivities were found to be 20 μg/cm2, 20 μl liquid and 1.0 ppm corresponding to solid, liquid and vapour phases respectively. The chemicals/explosives used in the study were PETN, DNT, Acetone, and DMMP. Our study suggests that the photoacoustic technique has high selectivity and sensitivity for the trace detection and be used for screening of suspicious objects for security applications as a handy product.

Author Biographies

Ramesh Sharma, DRDO-Laser Science and Technology Centre, Delhi - 110 054

Dr Ramesh C. Sharma received his PhD from BHU, Varanasi, India, in 1995. He was a Post-Doctoral Fellow with IIT Kanpur, India, University of California, San Diego, USA, and Mississippi State University; Starkville, MS, USA. Presently working as a Scientist at DRDO-Laser Science and Technology Centre, Delhi. He has worked in the field of laser technology and its applications in defence and homeland security, laser spectroscopy, nonlinear optics, nanotechnology, chemical dynamics, laser plasma physics, bio-photonics imaging and laser remote sensing technologies. He has published more than 50 research papers in journals and also presented technical research papers more than 60 National and International Conferences.

Contribution in the present study, he has conceptualisation of work, experimentation and writing of the manuscript.

Subodh Kumar, DRDO - Laser Science and Technology Centre, Delhi - 110 054

Dr Subodh Kumar received the MSc (Physics) from Patna University, Patna, India, in 1998. He has completed his PhD (Physics) from Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Delhi, in 2017. Presently working as a Scientist at DRDO-Laser Science and Technology Centre, Delhi. His research interests also include remote sensing of bio-molecules using ultraviolet laser-induced fluorescence technique and terahertz generation by laser plasma interaction. He has published more than 15 research paper in journals.

Contribution in the current study, he did experimentation, analysis of results and writing of the manuscript

Saurabh Gupta, DRDO-Laser Science and Technology Centre, Delhi - 110 054

Mr Saurabh Gupta received his B Tech (Electronics engineering) from Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India, in 2000 and his MTech (VLSI Design Tools and Technology) from Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, in 2001. He is currently working as a Scientist at DRDO-Laser Science and Technology Centre, Delhi. He has more than 10 research paper to his credit. His interests include : Development of rugged and compact systems for military use.

Contribution in the present study, he did development of software for recording of spectra.

Hari Srivastava, DRDO-Laser Science and Technology Centre, Delhi - 110 054

Mr Hari B. Srivastava received the BE (Electrical engineering) from the University of Roorkee, Roorkee, India, in 1983, and the MTech (Electrical engineering) from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur, India, in 1989. He is currently the Director of the DRDO-Laser Science and Technology Centre, Delhi, Delhi.

Contribution in the present study, he has provided support and valuable guidance during writing of the manuscript.

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