Dynamic Multicomponent Optical Analyzer for Chemical Weapon (CW) Exposure Studies

We propose to build a compact laser photoacoustic spectrometric (LPAS) sensor for continuous, real-time broadband analysis of multiple chemical components, and perform field tests to qualify it for dynamic monitoring of chemical warfare agents (CWA). Our sensor will be based on our laboratory LPAS instrument (at technology readiness level TRL-4) that has already demonstrated successful multicomponent chemical detection with CWA1, toxic chemicals and explosives2. It utilizes a tunable infrared laser (CO2 or quantum cascade), a high sensitivity photoacoustic cell with an air sampler and an efficient algorithm to rapidly complete high sensitivity, selective multicomponent measurements in under a minute. In Phase I we will carry out extensive laboratory and preliminary field site tests of LPAS with simuants, and a comprehensive analysis of the sensor performance using a model to determine the LOD and ROC curves for the sensor and establish its feasibility. A rugged and portable prototype sensor (TRL-5) will be built in Phase II. It will be field tested with actual toxic agents in DoD test sites to qualify (TRL-6) and characterize the sensor.