Nonlinear Laser Wave Mixing for Trace Detection of Explosives

To overcome current problems, Audentia, Inc., proposes to enhance, develop and demonstrate nonlinear laser wave-mixing detectors that offer standoff detection of explosives in their native form at ambient temperature and pressure using compact rugged laser-based designs. Taking advantage of high spectral resolution available from tunable solid-state lasers (without monochromators), our prototype in Phase II is expected to offer better chemical specificity and detection sensitivity levels with low false alarm rates. Our patented laser wave-mixing methods allow efficient use of low laser power levels (e.g., 0.01 W) and we have collected zeptomole-level Phase I results using different fixed and tunable lasers from UV, visible, near IR to mid-IR (quantum cascade laser) wavelengths. We will demonstrate our Phase II prototype, using real-world samples and conditions, for real-time detection of explosives in their native forms without the use of tags/labels or time-consuming sample preparation steps. Our university partner, Distinguished Professor Bill Tong, has more than 35 years of nonlinear laser spectroscopy experience and has published 33 papers on laser wave mixing alone.