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

In this SBIR Phase I effort, Los Gatos Research (LGR) proposes to design, develop and test a novel laser-based gas analyzer optimized for chemical weapon exposure studies based on cavity enhanced absorption in the mid-infrared spectral region. This analyzer will provide sensitive and accurate quantification of several chemical weapons through real-time measurements of high-resolution absorption spectra recorded in the mid-infrared. The instrument will employ Off-Axis ICOS, an extraordinarily rugged and commercially-proven cavity enhanced laser absorption technique that uses an optical cavity as absorption cell for significantly improved sensitivity, and mid-infrared lasers for high specificity and low false positives. The SBIR instrument will be the first system capable of providing rapid quantification of chemical agents and enable improved understanding of the dose-response characteristics of the subject in real time.