DEVELOPMENT OF MINIATURE ACOUSTO OPTIC TUNABLE FILTER (AOTF) SPECTROMETER FOR DETECTION OF TOXIC INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS (TICS)

This paper describes a remotely operable miniature spectrometer for the detection of Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TIC) using Near Infra-Red (NIR) spectroscopy. The spectrometer discussed here is compact, rugged and capable of operating on either as a handheld unit or on robotic platforms. The packaged unit consists of two modules: an optical head unit and an electronics unit. The optical head contains an infra-red light source, an Acousto-Optical Tunable Filter (AOTF) spectrometer, and associated electronics. The other module is contains the associated electronics assembly and cables connecting it with the optical head. This unit has fiber optic and free space detection capabilities and can be operated using 24 V battery power packs. We have developed a method to detect unknown chemical threat using measured signatures of known chemicals and chemometric techniques. At this time the system can detect chemicals in solid and liquid forms. We are currently optimizing the system for detection of chemicals in gaseous/vapor forms.