Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for Detection of Explosives Residues: A Review of Recent Advances, Challenges, and Future Prospects

Abstract

In this review, we discuss the application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to the problem of detection of residues of explosives. Research in this area presented in open literature is reviewed. Both laboratory and field-tested standoff LIBS instruments have been used to detect explosive materials. Recent advances in instrumentation and data analysis techniques are discussed, including the use of double-pulse LIBS to reduce air entrainment in the analytical plasma and the application of advanced chemometric techniques such as partial least-squares discriminant analysis to discriminate between residues of explosives and nonexplosives on various surfaces. A number of challenges associated with detection of explosives residues using LIBS have been identified along with their possible solutions. Several groups have investigated methods for improving the sensitivity and selectivity of LIBS for detection of explosives, including the use of femtosecond-pulse lasers, supplemental enhancement of the laser-induced plasma emission, and complementary orthogonal techniques. Despite the associated challenges, researchers have demonstrated the tremendous potential of LIBS for real-time detection of explosives residues at standoff distances.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 2013
Accession Number
ADA591801

Entities

People

  • Andrzej W. Miziolek
  • Chase A. Munson
  • Frank C. De Lucia Jr.
  • Jennifer L Gottfried

Organizations

  • United States Army Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter IED
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Sensors
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Energetic Materials
  • Explosive Devices
  • Explosives
  • Explosives Detection
  • Laser Pulses
  • Lasers
  • Light Sources
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Science
  • Optical Properties
  • Optics
  • Spectroscopy

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Agricultural Chemistry/Soil Science
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.
  • Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy