Low-limit photo-acoustic detection of solid RDX and TNT explosives with carbon dioxide laser

Abstract

We report the absorption spectra of RDX and TNT explosive samples in solid form at room temperature using a carbon dioxide laser-based photo-acoustic technique. A continuous wave 12C16O2 laser, tunable between the 9.25-10.74 μm wavelength region, was used as an energy source. Interference-free limits of detection of solid RDX and TNT in simulated samples are estimated to be 10.0 and 16.5 ppbw, respectively. ©2006 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.