A broadband SWIR/MWIR spectroscopic lidar for detection of gaseous pollutants in air is presented for doing
differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS). One of the distinctive parts of the lidar is the use of a picosecond
PPMgO:LN OPG (optical parametric generator) capable of generating broadband (10 to <100 nm FWHM) and tunable
(1.5 to 3.9 μm) SWIR/MWIR light. The optical source layout and properties are presented, along with a description of
the lidar breadboard. Results from indoor simulated typical operation of the lidar will be discussed, the operation
consisting in emitting the broadband coherent light along a line of sight (LOS) and measuring the back-scattering returns from of a topographic feature or aerosols. A second distinctive part is the gated MCT-APD focal plane array used in the output plane of the grating spectrograph of the lidar system. The whole of the returned spectra is measured, within a very short time gate, at every pulse and at a resolution of a few tenths to a few nm. Light is collected by a telescope with variable focus for maximum coupling of the return to the spectrograph. Since all wavelengths are emitted and received simultaneously, the atmosphere is “frozen” during the path integrated measurement and hopefully reduces the baseline drift problem encountered in many broadband scanning approaches. The resulting path integrated gas concentrations are retrieved by fitting the molecular absorption features present in the measured spectra. The use of broadband pulses of light and of DOAS fitting procedures make it also possible to measure more than one gas at a time, including interferents. The OPG approach enables the generation of moderate FWHM continua with high spectral energy density and tunable to absorption features of a great number of molecules. Proposed follow-on work and applications will also be presented.
A SWIR/MWIR spectroscopic lidar is proposed for standoff bio-agent cloud detection using simultaneous broadband
differential scattering (DISC). Measurements and/or modeling of DISC spectra of simulants are revisited and the rational
of the SWIR/MWIR DISC approach is explained, especially in light of the LWIR DISC experiments and conclusions
done elsewhere. Preliminary results on the construction of a low power non-linear broadband source in the SWIR/MWIR
are presented. Light from a 1064-nm pump laser is passed through a period and temperature tunable PPMgO:LN Optical
Parametric Generator (OPG) to generate broadband light with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 10 to >100 nm
in the SWIR/MWIR between 1.5 and 3.9 μm. Broadband coherent light from this source is to be emitted towards a cloud
that generates back-scattering. This source is being used in a short-range chemical remote detection breadboard, showing
the possible dual use of the setup. Light collected by the receiver telescope is coupled to a grating spectrometer and the
return signal (DISC in the proposed setup) is detected using a gated MCT-APD array in much the same way clouds are
interrogated using UV-LIF. A programmable volume of space along the laser beam path is imaged at the entrance of the
spectrometer and 320 spectral channels can be measured simultaneously, attenuating the effects of atmospheric
instabilities on DISC measurements. Proposed follow-on work will be presented.
This paper assesses the potential of detecting explosives (RDX, TNT, PETN, HMX, HMTD, Urea Nitrate) from a
distance with a spectroscopic lidar system. For the study, the temporal and spectral resolutions of laser induced
fluorescence lidar prototypes were enhanced. The integrated breadboards used easily available Nd:YAG laser
wavelengths (266 nm, 355 nm, and 532 nm) to remotely detect the Raman signatures induced in traces of explosives
deposited on surfaces. The spectroscopic lidar setup allows for time resolved measurements with high temporal
resolution. Raman spectra are observable, even in the presence of fluorescence. Experiments with low average laser
power (tens of mWs) have shown the unambiguous capability to detect and identify explosives at distances ranging up to
20 m. Thanks to the combination of UV wavelength for higher Raman cross-sections and efficient gated detection the
355 nm prototype yielded the best compromise. Excitation at 266 nm was expected to yield a better Raman response and
was investigated. Less than optimal laser parameters, detection efficiency and strong fluorescence reduced the signal to
noise ratio of the 266 nm signals with respect to those at 355 nm and 532 nm showing the importance of optimizing
system parameters for high sensitivity detection. Besides the description of the prototypes and an early assessment of
their performances, recommendations are also proposed to improve the instrument, leading to an efficient remote sensor
for explosives.
Threats associated with bioaerosol weapons have been around for several decades and have been mostly associated with
terrorist activities or rogue nations. Up to the turn of the millennium, defence concepts against such menaces relied
mainly on point or in-situ detection technologies. Over the last 10 years, significant efforts have been deployed by
multiple countries to supplement the limited spatial coverage of a network of one or more point bio-detectors using lidar
technology. The addition of such technology makes it possible to detect within seconds suspect aerosol clouds over area
of several tens of square kilometers and track their trajectories. These additional capabilities are paramount in directing
presumptive ID missions, mapping hazardous areas, establishing efficient counter-measures and supporting subsequent
forensic investigations. In order to develop such capabilities, Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) and
the Chemical, Biological, Radiological-Nuclear, and Explosives Research and Technology Initiative (CRTI) have
supported two major demonstrations based on spectrally resolved Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) lidar: BioSense,
aimed at defence military missions in wide open spaces, and SR-BioSpectra, aimed at surveillance of enclosed or semienclosed
wide spaces common to defence and public security missions. This article first reviews briefly the modeling
behind these demonstration concepts. Second, the lidar-adapted and the benchtop bioaerosol LIF chambers (BSL1),
developed to challenge the constructed detection systems and to accelerate the population of the library of spectral LIF
properties of bioaerosols and interferents of interest, will be described. Next, the most recent test and evaluation (T&E)
results obtained with SR-BioSpectra and BioSense are reported. Finally, a brief discussion stating the way ahead for a
complete defence suite is provided.
Standoff detection of explosives residues on surfaces at few meters was made using optical technologies based on
Raman scattering, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and passive standoff FTIR radiometry. By
comparison, detection and analysis of nanogram samples of different explosives was made with a microscope
system where Raman scattering from a micron-size single point illuminated crystal of explosive was observed.
Results from standoff detection experiments using a telescope were compared to experiments using a microscope to
find out important parameters leading to the detection. While detection and spectral identification of the micron-size
explosive particles was possible with a microscope, standoff detection of these particles was very challenging due to
undesired light reflected and produced by the background surface or light coming from other contaminants. Results
illustrated the challenging approach of detecting at a standoff distance the presence of low amount of micron or submicron
explosive particles.
We have developed a small, relatively lightweight and efficient short range (<100 m) LIDAR instrument for remotely
detecting harmful bioagents. The system is based on a pulsed, eye-safe, 355 nm laser exciting aerosols which then
fluoresce with a typical spectrum. The system makes use of a novel technology for continuously monitoring for the
presence of unusual concentrations of bioaerosols at a precise remote location within the monitored area, with response
within seconds. Fluorescence is spectrally resolved over 32 channels capable of photon counting. Results show a
sensitivity level of 40 ACPLA of Bacillus Globigii, an anthrax simulant, at a distance of 100 m (assumed worst case
where 1 ppl = 1 ACPLA) considering particle sizes between 0.5 and 10 μm, with a geometric mean at 1 um. The
apparatus has been tested in the field during three test and evaluation campaigns with multiple bioagents and public
security products. Preliminary results show that the system is able to distinguish between harmful bioagents and
naturally occurring ones. A classification algorithm was successfully tested with a single type of bioagent; experiments
for daytime measurements are discussed.
We have developed a small, relatively lightweight and efficient lidar instrument for remotely detecting and classifying
minerals. The system is based on a pulsed, eye-safe, diode pumped Nd:YAG laser, tripled (355nm) or quadrupled
(266nm), for UV excitation of minerals, which then fluoresce with a typical spectrum and lifetime. Fluorescence is
detected through a telescope / filter / fiber bundle / spectrograph / multi-channel detector system capable of photon
counting. Transmission and detection efficiency have been optimized to reduce the need for high optical excitation
energy. Detection electronics are based on gated charge integration using a multi-anode photomultiplier tube. Spectra
shown are measured in the 420 to 720 nm visible range with 355 nm laser excitation. Results show that it is relatively
easy to distinguish between vegetation and non-vegetation spectra using lifetime data. Lifetime of vegetation is
relatively short when compared to the mineral samples investigated. Although results shown are measured in a
controlled environment on the ground, the system is being developed for eventual use in a low altitude airborne
application. System parameters are presented and upgrade paths are discussed.
We present experimental results showing transmission and reflection imaging of approximately 100 μg quantities of
particulate explosives residue using a commercial uncooled microbolometer infrared camera and CO2 laser differential
wavelength illumination. Fine particulates may be generated during bomb-making activities and these particulates can
tenaciously adhere to packing material, as well as to the clothing or skin of the bomb maker and could be detectable
during transportation. A rapid screening method that detects this residue can serve as a first-line screening method in
conjunction with more sensitive, but invasive, approaches. Explosives exhibit absorption features in the mid-infrared
molecular fingerprint region that spans 3 to 15 μm, which can be probed with many high-brightness sources such as
fixed wavelength and tunable quantum cascade lasers, CO2, CO, and OPO lasers. Commercial uncooled microbolometer
cameras typically have detection sensitivity from 7.5 to 13 μm, spanning an absorption region for explosives detection
with adequate signal-to-noise ratio. By illuminating a target on and off its absorption wavelengths, ratio images of
suspected residue can be obtained without any sample preparation or cooperation and contact with the target. Our
proof-of-principle experiment employed tunable CO2 lasers, with a tuning range from 9.2 to 10.6 μm, overlapping minor
absorption features of RDX and Tetryl.
Because of the unique laser-matter interaction processes involved, femtosecond laser micro-machining and femtosecond laser materials processing techniques are developing rapidly to stages where they may be introduced into manufacturing. Yet in both these areas, some complex interaction phenomena are not fully understood. In this talk we describe two studies of fundamental processes that impact both of these areas. These studies were made in transparent media, but their findings will be applicable to many non-transparent materials. Micro-machining in confined regions can give rise to new physical mechanisms emerging to dominate the machining process. We show this occurs in deep hole drilling of glasses by femtosecond laser pulse, where self-focusing effects takes over in the ablating process. The conditions under which this occurs will be described, and other configurations discussed where these phenomena may be important. At intensities below that required for ablation, structural modification of materials may be effected by femtosecond laser pulses. This has opened pathways towards direct femtosecond laser writing of optical waveguides, micro-fluidic systems and other structures. We will describe the controlled variation of refractive index that can be created in certain types of glasses and there potential for optical waveguides, and active optical elements. The evolution of these techniques will lead to their eventual integration for the fabrication of multi-component systems on a single chip.
We report the characterization of waveguiding devices fabricated in optical materials using a femtosecond pulse train from a Ti:Sapphire laser at a 25 MHz repetition rate. Both interferometry and micro-thermal analysis have been used as diagnostics to evaluate optical and structural changes within the glass matrix. A free-electron model is developed to explain the refractive index change.
The creation of microchannels in a photosensitive material, the arsenic trisulphide As2S3, is reported. It is shown that microchannels are created through the process of self-writing and are very sensitive to the photosensitivity of the material, the quality of the incident wavefront and the
light intensity. The very large photosensitivity of As2S3 allows for the self-written waveguide to become much smaller than the incident beam. It can indeed be as small as 1 micron wide. We present a numerical analysis based on the nonlinear Schroedinger equation that accounts well for the
diversity of the microchannels experimentally observed. It is also shown that the microchannels can actually guide light efficiently.
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