Terahertz spectroscopy of explosives and simulants: RDX, PETN, sugar, and L-tartaric acid

Christopher Konek; John Wilkinson; Okan Esenturk; Edwin Heilweil; Michael Kemp

doi:10.1117/12.817913

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30 April 2009 Terahertz spectroscopy of explosives and simulants: RDX, PETN, sugar, and L-tartaric acid

Christopher Konek, John Wilkinson, Okan Esenturk, Edwin Heilweil, Michael Kemp

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Proceedings Volume 7311, Terahertz Physics, Devices, and Systems III: Advanced Applications in Industry and Defense; 73110K (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.817913
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2009, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

We report on the transmission and reflection terahertz (THz) spectra of the high explosives RDX and PETN. These common military explosives are compared to simulants L-tartaric acid and sucrose, respectively. The use of these simulants enables researchers to develop many aspects of THz spectroscopy for explosives detection without the need for live explosives. Further, we discuss the effect of sample preparation on the THz spectrum of RDX and demonstrate that experiments performed on different terahertz instruments at multiple laboratories show quantitative agreement between spectra recorded with four different instruments.

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Christopher Konek, John Wilkinson, Okan Esenturk, Edwin Heilweil, and Michael Kemp "Terahertz spectroscopy of explosives and simulants: RDX, PETN, sugar, and L-tartaric acid", Proc. SPIE 7311, Terahertz Physics, Devices, and Systems III: Advanced Applications in Industry and Defense, 73110K (30 April 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.817913

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