HYPERSPECTRAL FLUORESCENCE REMOTE SENSING OF LANDSCAPE MOLECULAR PROBES

Synoptic remote sensing of chemical, biological and radiological materials or targets using hyperspectral reflectance alone falls far short of material detection specificity. To enhance specificity for target confirmation, a fusion between fluorescence and hyperspectral reflectance sensing should permit more specific identifications of threats. To study the application of such a fusion technology, we have designed and tested a variety of high quantum yield molecular probes or “reporters” to work with molecular tags. This kind of remote sensing borrows heavily from molecular biology and uses the same “hair-pin” recognition and reporter constructs found in medical-clinical diagnostics. However, several important differences relate to the atmosphere, absorption cross-section and amount of suitable probe material for landscape-level sensing. To accomplish hyperspectral fluorescence sensing, we have demonstrated the recovery of probes illuminated by a third party laser and recorded by a hyperspectral scanner at night in darkfield. LIDAR equations were used to understand the target, excitation, source, sensor, and distance relationships. This paper will present these findings and discuss the potential benefits of such technology.