Real-time, reconfigurable, handheld molecular chemical imaging sensing for standoff detection of threats

Matthew P. Nelson; Shawna K. Tazik; Patrick J. Treado

doi:10.1117/12.2519050

17 May 2019 Real-time, reconfigurable, handheld molecular chemical imaging sensing for standoff detection of threats

Matthew P. Nelson, Shawna K. Tazik, Patrick J. Treado

Proceedings Volume 11010, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Sensing XX; 1101005 (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2519050
Event: SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, 2019, Baltimore, MD, United States

Abstract

As the nature of explosive, chemical and narcotic threats become more pervasive and lethal to innocent bystanders and unsuspecting military and law enforcement authorities, there is a growing demand for rapid and effective detection of materials in real-time with a high degree of autonomy at safe distances. In an effort to address this need, ChemImage has been developing novel, adaptable, short-wave infrared (SWIR) molecular chemical imaging systems for real-time analysis of complex environments, including for detection of hazardous materials (e.g., explosives, chemical warfare agents, drugs of abuse). At the heart of these systems is the Conformal Filter (CF), which is a liquid crystal (LC)-based tunable filter that transmits multi-band waveforms. Building on concepts of multivariate optical computing, the CF is tuned electro-optically and dynamically to mimic the functionality of a discriminant vector for classification. The resulting integrated detector response approximates the detection response of conventional hyperspectral imaging with only two discrete measurements instead of hundreds to thousands. Real-time detection is achieved by operating two CFs in tandem within a dual polarization (DP) system, which exploits the polarization sensitivity of the LC filters and allows for simultaneous acquisition of the compressed hyperspectral imagery. This paper will discuss the development, characterization, and test results of a prototype, handheld CF sensor, with a focus on its application to explosives, chemical and narcotic threat detection.

Citation Download Citation

Matthew P. Nelson, Shawna K. Tazik, and Patrick J. Treado "Real-time, reconfigurable, handheld molecular chemical imaging sensing for standoff detection of threats", Proc. SPIE 11010, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Sensing XX, 1101005 (17 May 2019); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2519050

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