A new system that utilizes laser light to detect the
presence of explosive compounds could be used to identify
roadside bombs
Approximately sixty percent of coalition soldier deaths in
Iraq and Afghanistan are due to improvised explosive devices
(IEDs), placed along the roads. Because these bombs are often
planted in public areas, it is important to detect them in a way
that doesn't harm the surrounding infrastructure, or
unnecessarily require civilians to evacuate nearby buildings.
Researchers from Michigan State University believe that a
laser-based system that they developed could fit the bill.
The laser itself is similar in output to a simple
presentation pointer. Used in conjunction with a camera, it
would direct both short and long pulses of light at suspicious
objects or areas. The short molecules cause the molecules of
explosive substances to vibrate, while the longer pulses are
used to "read" those vibrations, which are unique to each
explosive substance.
One of the challenges of field detection of explosives is the
fact that there are so many similar chemical compounds present
in the environment, and they can mask the sought-after
molecules. Using the laser system, however, even a billionth of
a gram of explosives can reportedly be detected.
The
Michigan State technology is now being developed by spin-off
company
BioPhotonic Solutions. A similar system is currently being
researched at
Princeton University.
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