Explosives detection using optical spectroscopy
First Claim
1. A method for detecting threat materials used in explosives, comprising:
- receiving a sample;
selecting a target location within the sample that distinguishes a target material from an innocuous material;
interrogating the selected target material, with a Raman laser, thereby producing a Raman spectrum;
determining whether the interrogated target material is suspected of being a threat material by comparing an amplitude of a first spectral region in the Raman spectrum, to a first predetermined threshold;
performing a verification, only when the determination indicates that the interrogated target material is suspected of being the threat material, by comparing a second predetermined threshold against an amplitude of a second spectral region in the Raman spectrum measured during the interrogation, where the second spectral region is different from the first spectral region; and
activating an indicator if the verification indicates that the interrogated target material is the threat material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Detecting threat materials used in explosives is performed by receiving a sample, and selecting an area of interest on the sample suspected of containing a threat material indicative of an explosive. Detection also includes interrogating the area of interest with a Raman laser producing a Raman spectrum, and comparing an amplitude of a first spectral region in the Raman spectrum to a first predetermined threshold. Detection further includes performing a verification, if the determination indicates that the area of interest includes the threat material, by checking the interrogated area of interest for a secondary indicator of the presence of the threat material, by comparing an amplitude of a second spectral region in the Raman spectrum, which is different from the first spectral region in the Raman spectrum, to a second predetermined threshold, and activating an indicator if the verification indicates that the area of interest contains the threat material.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for detecting threat materials used in explosives, comprising:
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receiving a sample; selecting a target location within the sample that distinguishes a target material from an innocuous material; interrogating the selected target material, with a Raman laser, thereby producing a Raman spectrum; determining whether the interrogated target material is suspected of being a threat material by comparing an amplitude of a first spectral region in the Raman spectrum, to a first predetermined threshold; performing a verification, only when the determination indicates that the interrogated target material is suspected of being the threat material, by comparing a second predetermined threshold against an amplitude of a second spectral region in the Raman spectrum measured during the interrogation, where the second spectral region is different from the first spectral region; and activating an indicator if the verification indicates that the interrogated target material is the threat material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for detecting threat materials used in explosives, comprising:
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a sample collector that collects a sample; a sample stage that receives the sample from the sample collector; an interrogation station that includes a Raman laser source; and a processor coupled to memory, where the processor is programmed to interact with the interrogation station to interrogate the sample and select a target location within the sample that distinguishes a target material from an innocuous material; wherein the processor is further programmed to interact with the interrogation station to; interrogate, with the Raman laser source, the target material, thereby producing a Raman spectrum; determine whether the interrogated target material is suspected of being a threat material by comparing an amplitude of a first spectral region in the Raman spectrum, to a first predetermined threshold; perform a verification, only when the determination indicates that the interrogated target material is suspected of being threat material, by comparing a second predetermined threshold against an amplitude of a second spectral region in the Raman spectrum measured during the interrogation, where the second spectral region is different from the first spectral region; and activate an indicator if the verification indicates that the interrogated target material is the threat material.
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Specification