High-precision sensing of chemical warfare simulants using mid-infrared spectroscopy

Jacob T. Wyngaard; Mohammad A. Khan

doi:10.1117/12.2588027

12 April 2021 High-precision sensing of chemical warfare simulants using mid-infrared spectroscopy

Jacob T. Wyngaard, Mohammad A. Khan

Proceedings Volume 11750, Detection and Sensing of Mines, Explosive Objects, and Obscured Targets XXVI; 117500E (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2588027
Event: SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, 2021, Online Only

Conference Poster

Abstract

We show mid-infrared detection of chemical warfare simulants using rapidly tuned and broadband mid-infrared laser spectroscopy suite of chemical species with disparate absorption cross-sections. Sarin gas is one of the most lethal chemical weapons with significant impacts at trace concentrations as low as 64 ppbv within a very short exposure time. In this research, we develop theoretical models to design a mid-infrared (8-11 μm) detection system for high-precision sensing of trace chemical-warfare agents. The models are based on absorption cross-sections and theoretical estimation of chemicals using direct-absorption spectroscopy. Due to the extremely hazardous nature of Sarin, Triethyl Phosphate (TEP), which has a very similar structure to Sarin, was chosen as a proxy chemical. TEP is a standard simulant for organophosphate nerve agents like Sarin. We use a combination of direct absorption spectroscopy and wavelength modulation spectroscopy to resolve and detect line-broadened transitions of TEP. Thus, by analyzing the regression slope of the theoretical absorption cross-section and experimental absorbance, TEP concentration can be estimated in a congested molecular spectrum. The absorption cross-section was modeled using Doppler and Voigt profiles.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Jacob T. Wyngaard and Mohammad A. Khan "High-precision sensing of chemical warfare simulants using mid-infrared spectroscopy", Proc. SPIE 11750, Detection and Sensing of Mines, Explosive Objects, and Obscured Targets XXVI, 117500E (12 April 2021); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2588027

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available