The need for non-contact and stand-off detection of explosives and other illicit chemicals such as chemical warfare agents and drugs of abuse motivates our research for both Defense and Homeland Security applications. In NRL Code 6365, we have emphasized optical spectroscopic approaches to standoff detection, based primarily on infrared (IR) wavelengths for both excitation and the collected signal. For excitation, we implement a full suite of infrared lasers, including fixed and tunable quantum cascade lasers (QCL), optical parametric oscillators (OPO), and CO₂ lasers. For collection, we implement IR focal plane arrays (FPA) for imaging, cooled IR detectors for signal collection, and commercial vapor-based detection systems for verification. The success of this research hinges critically on skills in the areas of infrared spectroscopy, optics and optical engineering, as well as in chemometric analysis of the collected spectra.

 

key words

Optical detection; Explosives; Counter-IED;: Homeland Security; Infrared laser;: Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL); Infrared spectroscopy; Infrared imaging;

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral applicants