Chemical/Biological Detection Using An Acousto-Optic Tunable Filter-Based Spectrofluorometer

The potential use of chemical or biological agents by forces hostile to the U.S. has necessitated that the ability to monitor the battlefield for these agents. In this SBIR Phase I program, Brimrose will develop an acousto-optic tunable filter-based (AOTF) fluorometer that will provide the means to detect the use of these agents. AOTFs are compact, solid state devices that use acousto-optical interactions in anisotropic materials as a means for wavelength dispersion. AOTFs are rapidly scannable devices with high wavelength accuracy and reproducibility. These features of AOTFs make them ideal components of field-portable instruments. Coupling the high throughput of the AOTF with the selectivity and sensitivity of molecular fluorescence, Brimrose will develop an instrument capable of real-time, sensitive detection of these chemical and biological agentss. A prototype AOTF-Fluorometer will be designed, built, and tested at the end of Phase I. The system will use two AOTF devices as the wavelength dispersive devices for excitation and emission. Total luminescence experiments on chemical/biological stimulants will be performed to develop a database on excitation and emission wavelengths to use for the detection of these agents. Preliminary chemometrics will be developed to show the potential for intelligent, rapid, field-portable detection services.