Detection of chemical agent aerosols

Jay A. Fox; Jeffrey L. Ahl; Francis M. D'Amico; Richard G. Vanderbeek; Raphael Moon; Cynthia R. Swim

doi:10.1117/12.351339

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28 May 1999 Detection of chemical agent aerosols

Jay A. Fox, Jeffrey L. Ahl, Francis M. D'Amico, Richard G. Vanderbeek, Raphael Moon, Cynthia R. Swim

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Proceedings Volume 3707, Laser Radar Technology and Applications IV; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.351339
Event: AeroSense '99, 1999, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

One of the major threats presented by a chemical agent attack is that of a munition exploding overhead and 'raining' aerosols which can contaminate surfaces when they impact. Since contact with these surfaces can be fatal, it is imperative to know when such an attack has taken place and the likely threat density and location. We present the results of an experiment designed to show the utility of a CO₂ lidar in detecting such an attack. Testing occurred at Dugway Proving Grounds, Utah and involved the simulation of an explosive airburst chemical attack. Explosions occurred at a height of 30 m and liquid droplets from two chemicals, PEG-200 (polyethylene glycol 200) and TEP (triethylphosphate), were expelled and fell to the ground. The munition was the U.S. Army M9 Simulator, Projectile, Airburst, Liquid (SPAL) system that is designed for chemical warfare training exercises. The instrument that was used to detect the presence of the aerosols was the Laser Standoff Chemical Detector (LSCD) which is a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system that utilizes a rapidly tunable, pulsed CO₂ laser. The LIDAR scanned a horizontal path approximately 5 - 8 m above the ground in order to measure the concentration of liquid deposition. The LIDAR data were later correlated with card data to determine how well the system could predict the location and quantity of liquid deposition on the ground.

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Jay A. Fox, Jeffrey L. Ahl, Francis M. D'Amico, Richard G. Vanderbeek, Raphael Moon, and Cynthia R. Swim "Detection of chemical agent aerosols", Proc. SPIE 3707, Laser Radar Technology and Applications IV, (28 May 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.351339

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