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Laser-based standoff detection of explosives: a critical review

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Abstract

A review of standoff detection technologies for explosives has been made. The review is focused on trace detection methods (methods aiming to detect traces from handling explosives or the vapours surrounding an explosive charge due to the vapour pressure of the explosive) rather than bulk detection methods (methods aiming to detect the bulk explosive charge). The requirements for standoff detection technologies are discussed. The technologies discussed are mostly laser-based trace detection technologies, such as laser-induced-breakdown spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, laser-induced-fluorescence spectroscopy and IR spectroscopy but the bulk detection technologies millimetre wave imaging and terahertz spectroscopy are also discussed as a complement to the laser-based methods. The review includes novel techniques, not yet tested in realistic environments, more mature technologies which have been tested outdoors in realistic environments as well as the most mature millimetre wave imaging technique.

Standoff detection and identification is one of the most wanted capabilities

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Acknowledgements

The research leading to these results received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no. 218037, DARPA (Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency) grant no. HR0011-08-2-0031 and the Swedish Armed Forces.

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  1. Swedish Defence Research Agency, 147 25, Tumba, Sweden

    Sara Wallin, Anna Pettersson & Henric Östmark

  2. Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9/164 AC, 1060, Vienna, Austria

    Alison Hobro

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  1. Sara Wallin
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  2. Anna Pettersson
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Correspondence to Sara Wallin.

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Wallin, S., Pettersson, A., Östmark, H. et al. Laser-based standoff detection of explosives: a critical review. Anal Bioanal Chem 395, 259–274 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-009-2844-3

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