The Detection of Energetic Materials by Laser Photoacoustic Overtone Spectroscopy

Abstract

Laser-based sensors offer high sensitivity and species selectivity with real-time capabilities for monitoring the vapors of some energetic materials. However, the extremely low vapor pressure of many solid energetic materials under ambient conditions impedes these sensors. In this paper, we report on a novel technique based on laser photoacoustic overtone spectroscopy to detect and differentiate solid 1,3,5-trinitrotoluene (TNT), 1.3.5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (RDX), and 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20) in real time at ambient conditions. A tunable, near-infrared laser excites the target compound in the spectral region between 5800 to 6100 cm−1, and a microphone monitors the sound that they generate by non-radiative, collisional de-excitation processes. The photoacoustic signals result from first-overtone and combination absorptions of the energetic material's C–H vibrations, and the collisional processes enhance the signal at atmospheric pressure. The spectra reveal features that are unique to each measured material and these features can serve as a fingerprint for that material. We report the effects of laser energy and wavelength on signal intensity and estimate a detection limit for these compounds.