LIBS-THz spectroscopy for improvised explosive devices (IED) detection

In this proposal, Intelligent Automation Inc. (IAI), University of Central Florida (UCF), and University of Delaware (UDEL) details the development of a compact, portable, relatively inexpensive and field testable LIBS-THz sensor system for standoff explosive detection. In phase I, We have validated the feasibility of using the proposed technique for explosive detection. Phase II will be focusing on the improvement of the sensor performance in terms of sensitivity, selectivity, and standoff detection distance. key innovations to achieve this goal include: a) A compact and low cost fs-fiber laser will be used to replace the Ti: Sapphire laser used in Phase I to reduce the size and cost of the system; b) A more sensitive intensified CCD (ICCD) spectrometer will be used to enhance the SNR of the LIBS spectra, and the time- resolved LIBS signals obtained with the ICCD will be used to enhance the sensor selectivity; c) The optimizations of temporal gating and dual- pulse measurement conditions to increase SNR of LIBS spectra; d) High power THz emitting device will be developed to replace the photoconductive switch used in phase I to increase the SNR of THz spectra; and e) A data and decision fusion algorithm to fuse the LIBS and THz spectral information for automatic explosive classification and identification.