EXPLOSIVES DETECTION USING OPTICAL SPECTROSCOPY
First Claim
1. A method for detecting threat materials used in explosives, comprising:
- receiving a sample;
selecting an area of interest on the sample suspected of containing a threat material indicative of an explosive;
interrogating, with an optical source, the area of interest;
determining whether the area of interest includes the threat material by comparing an amplitude of a first spectral region measured during the interrogation, to a first predetermined threshold;
performing a verification, if the determination indicates that the area of interest includes the threat material, by checking for a secondary indicator of the presence of the threat material, where the verification is performed by comparing an amplitude of a second spectral region different from the first spectral region, measured during the interrogation, to a second predetermined threshold; and
activating an indicator if the verification indicates that the sample contains the threat material.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for determining whether a sample includes a nitrate-based explosive comprises receiving the sample and selecting an area of interest on the sample. Then, at least a portion of the area of interest is interrogated with an optical source to produce a spectrum with an amplitude. The amplitude of a first portion of the spectrum is compared to a first predetermined threshold to determine if the sample includes a nitrate. After determining that the sample includes a nitrate in the area of interest, the amplitude of a second portion of the spectrum is compared to a second predetermined threshold to determine if the sample includes a secondary indicator. Then, an indicator is activated based on the determinations.
31 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for detecting threat materials used in explosives, comprising:
-
receiving a sample; selecting an area of interest on the sample suspected of containing a threat material indicative of an explosive; interrogating, with an optical source, the area of interest; determining whether the area of interest includes the threat material by comparing an amplitude of a first spectral region measured during the interrogation, to a first predetermined threshold; performing a verification, if the determination indicates that the area of interest includes the threat material, by checking for a secondary indicator of the presence of the threat material, where the verification is performed by comparing an amplitude of a second spectral region different from the first spectral region, measured during the interrogation, to a second predetermined threshold; and activating an indicator if the verification indicates that the sample contains the threat material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A system for detecting threat materials used in explosives, comprising:
-
a sample collector that collects a sample; a sample stage that receives the sample from the sample collector; an interrogation station that includes at least one interrogation device; and a processor coupled to memory, where the processor is programmed to interact with the interrogation station to interrogate the sample and select an area of interest on the sample suspected of containing a threat material; wherein the processor is further programmed to interact with the interrogation station to; interrogate, with an optical source, the area of interest; determine whether the area of interest includes the threat material by comparing an amplitude of a first spectral region measured during the interrogation, to a first predetermined threshold; perform a verification, if the determination indicates that the area of interest includes the threat material, by checking for a secondary indicator of the presence of the threat material, where the verification is performed by comparing an amplitude of a second spectral region different from the first spectral region, measured during the interrogation, to a second predetermined threshold; and activate an indicator if the verification indicates that the sample contains the threat material.
-
Specification