Toward single frame “snapshot” stand-off detection of target chemicals

We present the development of an eye-safe, invisible, stand-off technique designed for the detection of target chemicals (such as explosives) in a single “snapshot” frame. Broadband Fabry-Perot quantum cascade lasers (FP-QCLs) in the wavelength range of 7 to 12 microns, are directed to a target to interrogate its spectral features. The “backscatter” return signals from target chemicals are spectrally discriminated by an LWIR spatial heterodyne spectrometer (SHS). The SHS offers high throughput and full spectral coverage in each single frame from an IR imaging array. This presentation will cover the performance and optimization of FP-QCLs for this broadband spectroscopic application. We will also discuss the operation and processing of SHS images to extract spectral information. Finally, we will present results of measurements using specific analytes to demonstrate the application of the method to stand-off detection of targets such as explosives and other chemical threats.